The 10 most influential families on the planet

Have you ever wondered who controls your life?

We are all sure that we choose our own destiny and any of our actions we make by taking a number of decisions at a certain moment. But what if we are skilfully manipulated and pushed to make some decisions, and we are not even aware of it?

1. ROCKEFELLERS

There are many legends about the Rockefeller fortune, rumored to range from $1 trillion to $3 trillion. John D. Rockefeller, the world’s first dollar billionaire, began working in accounting at 16 and later co-founded a trading company that quickly amassed $450,000 during the Civil War. In 1864, he entered the oil business, and by 1870, he founded Standard Oil, which dominated the U.S. market. Through aggressive takeovers, he soon controlled nearly all refineries in Cleveland and eventually 90% of the U.S. oil market.

The Rockefeller legacy extends beyond oil. Their influence grew through both World Wars, supporting various sides and expanding their wealth. Today, the family remains active in banking, philanthropy, and even cryptocurrency. Remarkably, they’ve avoided public scandals for over a century, fueling conspiracy theories that link them to secret world governance and elite control ideologies. And if you’re looking to try your luck in the world of online gaming, Wanted Win Casino review is the perfect platform — offering generous bonuses and a huge selection of games to enjoy.

2. MORGANS

Fans of various political theories often assume that the Morgan clan determines the political course of the United States and controls all the banks of the world.

The ancestor of the Morgan clan, John Pierpont Morgan, founded the first financial empire in the United States. He was an arms dealer during the Civil War, but thanks to his business skills he managed to avoid prosecution. In 1907, Morgan prevented the collapse of the banking system.

To this day, members of the Morgan clan remain the most powerful bankers. Branches of their banks can be found not only in the United States, but also in Europe. Family members ran the General Electric Company, whose plants, located in dozens of countries around the world, produced a wide range of goods: from electric light bulbs to nuclear reactors, from refrigerators and air conditioners to aircraft and rocket engines. Together with the Dupont Financial Group, the Morgans own the world’s leading automobile manufacturing firm, General Motors, whose plants produce not only cars and school buses, but also tanks.

The Morgan family dynasty is the largest financial group, whose corporations produce goods and services worth about $1.5 trillion (incidentally, Russia’s GDP is five times less), which is almost 20 percent of the US GDP.

3. SAUDITS

The Saudis are a royal family that has ruled Saudi Arabia since 1932. The current head of the family is King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, and the total number of Saudis is about 25,000, but only 2,000 of them control the power and all the wealth of the country.

The head of the family has almost absolute political power, and family members hold important government and military positions. Saudis can hold any post within the country. The family holds 20 per cent of the world’s oil reserves. And they, having absolute power and untold amounts of money, spend it as they wish, absolutely unashamedly on parties, expensive cars and alcohol, which is forbidden under Sharia law. The family is also not squeamish about drugs and murder. After all, when you have a lot of power and money, you can get away with anything.

4. ROTHSCHILDS

Amschel Mayer Rothschild founded a powerful banking empire in Germany, which his sons expanded across Europe. Nathan Mayer Rothschild opened the English branch in 1811 and played a major role during the Napoleonic Wars, using a network of agents to gain early intelligence and financial advantage.

During the war, the Rothschilds secretly helped Prussian King Wilhelm protect his treasury while deceiving the French. Nathan also profited through smuggling during the Continental Blockade and transporting large sums across Europe. Their greatest financial success came after Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo in 1815.

The family remained influential for over two centuries, despite being surrounded by rumors and conspiracy theories claiming they control global wealth. Their fortune is estimated at around $2 trillion, and they are active in banking, investments, energy, and anonymous philanthropy. However, more extreme claims remain unproven.

5. BAROUGHIES

The Baruch family, while not as wealthy as some elites, has had immense political influence. Bernard Baruch, the founder, advised five U.S. presidents, was close to Churchill, coined the term “Cold War,” and played a role in atomic bomb development and the Federal Reserve’s structure.

Baruch believed that war was a legal and profitable path to wealth, especially for the U.S., which emerged stronger from global conflicts without facing destruction at home. He used his intellect and strategy to shape American dominance in the 20th century.

He is credited with pushing the idea of a World Government and was involved in controversial deals, like forcing China to trade gold reserves. Baruch also supported manipulating global rivals like the USSR and Germany to trigger conflicts that served U.S. interests. His descendants remain largely unknown but are rumored to still hold hidden influence.

6. WALTONS

Sam Walton opened the first Walmart in 1962, and it quickly grew into a retail giant. By the 1980s, innovations like Sam’s Club and Walmart Supercenters helped the company dominate U.S. retail, with sales hitting $1 billion and international expansion beginning in Mexico.

After Sam’s death in 1992, his son Rob Walton became chairman. The company expanded globally into countries like Canada, China, the UK, and Japan. In 2000, Walmart.com was launched, and in 2002 Walmart entered the Fortune 500 list of top U.S. companies.

Besides retail, the Walton family runs Arvest Bank and is known for philanthropy through their foundation. Walmart supports environmental programs, disaster relief, hunger initiatives, and senior employment, maintaining its reputation as a socially responsible corporation.

7. WINDSORS

The Windsors are the royal family of Great Britain. The head of the House of Windsor was Queen Elizabeth II. Now the throne is occupied by her son Charles III.

The British royal dynasty has a very interesting pedigree. Among the ancestors of the current King and her relatives are Russians.

Thus, the mother of George V (the very one who established the House of Windsor) was a sibling of Maria Feodorovna – the wife of the Russian Emperor Alexander III and the mother of the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II. Thus, the last Russian emperor was George V’s cousin.

It turns out that the British are also ‘a bit Russian’. At least, the Russian people and subjects of the King of Britain connect common moments in history.

In addition to England, Charles III is the current monarch in 15 independent states. All members of the royal family lead a modest lifestyle, serve in the Armed Forces and do charity work.

8. MURDOCKS

The Murdochs, media tycoons, began building their empire in Australia. Keith Murdoch was a political columnist for a Melbourne newspaper. Keith was appointed editor-in-chief, increased the publication’s circulation and became CEO.

His son Rupert also became a journalist. After taking over the leading Australian newspapers, Murdoch created a media holding company, News Corporation. Now the Murdochs own the film company 20th Century Fox, TV channel Fox News, social network My Space and stock company Dow Jones. ‘News Corporation’ was accused of illegally tapping the phones of the royal family, celebrities, as well as bribing police officers and intelligence agencies.

Rupert is a very popular personality in pop culture. He became the prototype of the villain in the Bond film ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’, the prototype of media tycoon Logan Roy in the TV series ‘The Heirs’, mentioned in the TV series ‘The Big Bang Theory “ and ”The Simpsons’. Rupert Murdoch’s media empire is called a ‘propaganda machine’, but not in the sense we are used to. Whereas in Russia the media obediently serve the interests of the authorities, Murdoch himself shapes the political agenda, brings politicians to power and influences their decisions.

9. OPPENHEIMERS

The Oppenheimers own most of the diamond and gold reserves. The founder of the clan, Ernest Oppenheimer, went to live in the town of Kimberley in South Africa. There he first became mayor of the town and then headed one of the diamond mining companies. Soon Ernest captured the world market for the mining and sale of diamonds. The organisation led by Oppenheimer controlled 90% of diamond sales worldwide in the mid-20th century. The mined diamonds were delivered to London, where they were processed, sorted into small batches and sent to traders.

Now the diamond empire is run by Ernest’s grandson, Nick Oppenheimer. The family is engaged in mining and selling not only diamonds, but also gold, iron ore, platinum and industrial minerals.

10. PRITZKERS

The Pritzkers are one of America’s wealthiest families, known for founding and owning the Hyatt hotel chain, which includes over 770 hotels in 54 countries. Their fortune is estimated at $5.5 billion, and they have invested heavily in education, culture, construction, and U.S. Democratic Party politics. The family, originally Jewish immigrants from Kyiv, settled in Chicago in 1881 and built a powerful business empire.

Internationally, the Pritzker name is most recognized through the Pritzker Prize — the most prestigious award in architecture, founded in 1979 by Thomas J. Pritzker. Often compared to a Nobel Prize for architecture, it helped cement the family’s influence in the global cultural sphere. Today, they remain based in Chicago, shaping the city’s architectural identity through their contributions and legacy.