If you compare the United States to most other countries, you will find that we have not been a country for nearly as long as others. However, we have managed to amass a seriously impressive amount of families with fortunes worth more than some other smaller countries. From corporations to musical royalty, the funds these heirs and heiresses have and will inherit are sums of money that most of us do not even image having.
As is done with most families and fortunes, they are handed down to the next generation to hopefully make it an even greater success and make the funds grow larger. You are sure to recognize a few names in here, the last name is almost always a dead giveaway, but there are those who choose to remain under the radar because of their status, selecting to just be wealthy and not famous.
Many of these heirs and heiresses are not interested in running the company that is providing them with their fortune, but rather choose to go down a different path that will either have them earning their own fortune - be it music, acting, their own company in a different sector - or spending the family fortune on pipe dreams.
Paris Hilton
Net Worth of $300 million
Inherited From: Hilton Hotels Corporation
The world knows and loves Paris for having nothing to do with her family business, and everything to do with reality television and celebrity status. Her last name precedes her everywhere she goes. But while many think she is does not have much of a mind for business, they may be interested to learn that Paris has several brands under her name, all of which earn her a pretty penny. However, it is true that her born status helped with that tremendously. Her $300 million net worth are all thanks to her families resorts and hotels.
Olivia Wilde
Net Worth of $20 million
Inherited From: Andrew Cockburn
Many of us know Olivia as the renowned actress she is today. However, she was born into a wealth that many did not know about. Her father, Andrew Cockburn, is the editor of the Washington D.C. Harper's Magazine. Her net worth is sure to grow thanks to her many acting roles in films like The Lazarus Effect, Tron: Legacy, Rush, and People Like Us. Olivia was trained to be an actress at the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin. She is now also going into directing.
Kate Hudson
Net Worth of $80 million
Inherited From: Goldie Hawn
Kate Hudson is part of a Hollywood legend of a family. Her mother, Goldie Hawn, is one of the original "it girls" of the scene and earned a fortune long before Kate turned her sights on acting. Kate is an Academy Award nominated actress in her own right, but it is without a doubt her mother's gene pool that gave her the talent and looks. It also helps that Kurt Russell is her stepfather! Kate shot to fame with her rile in Almost Famous, and since launched her own athletic clothing company, Fabletics.
Dakota Johnson
Net Worth of $14 million
Inherited From: Don Johnson
Dakota is another example of the child of Hollywood icons. The daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson, there was never a question about her going into acting. We all know and love Dakota from her role as Anastasia in the hit film series Fifty Shades of Grey. She may have been born with an acting silver spoon in her mouth, but she has taken it to new heights with her roles in The Social Network, and 21 Jump Street.
Anderson Cooper
Net Worth of $110 million
Inherited From: Gloria Vanderbilt
Yes, you read that right, Anderson is worth $110 million thanks to his inheritance from his mother, none other than Gloria Vanderbilt. This family's last name precedes it as one of the country's wealthiest families. However, Anderson paved his own path for himself as a journalist and television personality, with his hosting job on Anderson Cooper 360 on CNN. He also used to model quite a bit, considering his mother was the fashionista of her time.
Balthazar Getty
Net Worth of $200 million
Inherited From: Getty Oil
When you are related to anyone in the oil industry, you know you are worth a lot. Balthazar is known to us from his acting gigs in shows like Alias, and Charmed, and films like Ladder 49, Big Sur, and The Judge. In addition to his acting and being an heir to an oil fortune, Getty is also a philanthropist at heart, taking part in The Lunchbox Fund, an organization that helps provide food for children in Africa.
Amanda Hearst
Net Worth of $100 million
Inherited From: Hearst Corporation
Amanda is a model and socialite (for once, not an actress). She works as the Associate Marketing Editor of Marie Claire Magazine and studied at Fordham University. It was her great-grandfather who started the Hearst empire, William Randolph Hearst. She is a Hearst on her mother's side as her father was not in the picture growing up. Amanda chooses her causes carefully, the nearest one to her heart being the Friends of Finn, a nonprofit that's main goal is to prevent puppy mills from functioning.
Brooke Shields
Net Worth of $25 million
Inherited From: Frank Shields
Brooke is a seasoned Hollywood actress, but she is also an heiress. Frank Shields was an amateur tennis player but was also an actor. The fortune he gained from his tennis and acting he gave to his children, Brooke being one of them. Brooke got the acting bug as well and started acting in The Blue Lagoon when she was still underage. She modeled as a child and later as an adult and was considered the face of the 80s. She went to Princeton University, so she is beauty and brains!
Billie Lourd
Net Worth of $25 million
Inherited From: Carrie Fisher
Billie is a Hollywood heiress. She inherited her mother, Carrie Fisher's, fortune when she sadly passed. She is also the grand-daughter of another icon - Debbie Reynolds. The acting chops are in her blood. It makes sense, then, that Billie attended NYU and later got her big acting break in Scream Queens, and American Horror Story. She also played the role of Lieutenant Connix in the last three Star Wars films.
Jake Gyllenhaal
Net Worth of $65 million
Inherited From: Stephen Gyllenhaal
Jake is the son of one of tinsel towns most acclaimed directors - Stephen Gyllenhaal. His mother, Naomi Foner, is a screenwriter, and his sister Maggie is also a well-known actress. This family is staying close to their roots with all things Hollywood. Jake went to Columbia University but started acting at a young age in the film City Slickers in 1991. His most notable film is Brokeback Mountain, for which he received endless praise from the acting community.
Dylan Lauren
Net Worth of $4 billion
Inherited From: Ralph Lauren
Talk about an inheritance! Dylan is worth a whopping $4 billion thanks to designer and empire head dad, Ralph Lauren. She took her famous name and wealth and made it into a successful business. Dylan own the mega-hit candy store Dylan's Candy Bar, which to date is the largest candy store in the world. She has stayed in the business realm her whole life, focusing on the candy store and her family.
Scarlett Johansson
Net Worth of $140 million
Inherited From: Karsten Olaf Johansson and Melanie Sloan
Scarlett is more known for her own acting than for the fact that both of her parents brought her into this world as an heiress. Her father is a Danish architect as famous as can be, and her mother is a producer. Scarlett certainly got some help getting into the acting world, but she has grown her resume all on her own. Her most recent role as Black Widow in the Marvel Comics world has solidified her as a force.
Nicky Hilton
Net Worth of $20 million
Inherited From: Hilton Hotels
Unlike her sister, Nicky has remained behind the scenes. The heiress has focused her attention on being a solid businesswoman and fashion designer. She married into an even richer family, the Rothschild's, as if being a Hilton was not enough. She worked as a model for several years before turning her sights on designing. She has most recently designed a matching mother daughter collection inspired by her own children.
Chevy Chase
Net Worth of $50 million
Inherited From: The Crane Company
Prior to all of us knowing Chevy for his many iconic roles, he was born into a family where his mother was a concert pianist, who was adopted by her stepfather who was none other than Cornelius Vanderbilt, the owner of The Crane Company. Chevy spent many years on Saturday Night Live, and has been in films like Fletch, and Caddyshack, to name a few.
Ariana Rockefeller
Net Worth of $2.8 billion
Inherited From: Standard Oil
The name alone is a dead giveaway. Ariana a very wealthy heiress thanks to her being a part of the Rockefeller dynasty. The Rockefeller family date back to the early 19th century, as does their oil company that has since made the family billions. Ariana attended Columbia University and took an interest in fashion design. She had a short international affair interest as the United Nations intern but decided to follow her heart and launch her own fashion brand.
Lydia Hearst-Shaw
Net Worth of $28 billion
Inherited From: William Randolph Hearst
Lydia is another member of the Hearst family. She is a model and blogger who owns a modeling agency called Radius Entertainment. She has taken her modeling career very seriously and modeled for brands like Fendi, Rebecca Taylor, Nicole Miller, and Chanel. She appeared in campaigns for brands like DKNY, Prada, Alexander McQueen, and Louis Vuitton. Her family's fortune has definitely helped her enter the modeling world, but she has certainly made it her own.
Edward Norton
Net Worth of $80 million
Inherited From: Edward Mower Norton, Jr.
Edward is an award nominated actor, but he is also an heir to a serious fortune thanks to his grandfather. His family's patriarch founded The Rouse Company, an urban planning company, as well as a real estate company called Enterprise Community Partners. Edward's father was also a prominent prosecutor. Needless to say, his family and upbringing did not hurt. He went to Yale University and started acting with his role in Primal Fear alongside actor Richard Here.
Carly Simon
Net Worth of $65 million
Inherited From: Richard L. Simon
While Carly is a musical legend, she was also born into a seriously wealthy family. Her father, Richard Simon co-founded Simon & Schuster, the book company. He was also a classical pianist, instilling the love of music in his little girl who would grow up to rock out world. Carly's first album, Carly Simon, was a huge hit that took her career into Grammy award winning territory and her name has been solidified ever since.
Patty Hearst
Net Worth of $28 billion
Inherited From: William Randolph Hearst
Patty is the granddaughter of William Randolph Hearst. In addition to being an heiress, or perhaps because of the fact, Patty took to being a writer and actress. She wrote a best-selling memoir called Every Secret Thing. She appeared on many television shows and did a few cameos in films. Patty also loves her dogs and has competed with them in the Kennel Club Dog Shows over the last few years.
Kyra Sedgwick
Net Worth of $16 million
Inherited From: Robert Sedgwick
Kyra is famous, but she was also born very rich. Her father is Henry Dwight Sedgwick V. He was a very successful venture capitalist who welcomed his daughter into the world a millionaire. Kyra is married to fellow actor Kevin Bacon and has been for over 20 years (an eternity in Hollywood). She has been in films like Born on the Fourth of July, Phenomenon, and Hearts and Souls. Most recently, Kyra has been in television shows like The Closer, where she played a starring role.
Victoria Mars
Net Worth of $6.6 billion
Inherited From: Mars, Inc.
For once, someone we did not know about! Victoria is fourth-generation Mars. She went to Yale University for her undergrad and The Wharton School for her Masters. Mars, Inc. is one of the largest corporations in the world, producing the chocolate bar subsidiary Milky Way along the way. Victoria, despite being born into the family, had to work her way up to the position she had today, as one of the board of directors. She owns 8% of Mars, Inc.
Tinsley Mortimer
Net Worth of $28 million
Inherited From: George Riley Mercer
Tinsley is the daughter of George Mercer, a hugely successful investor and real estate developer who struck it rich thanks to his hard work and incredible timing. Her mother, Dale, was a renowned interior designer. Her grandfather, George, was the one who brought in the most, though, thanks to his company, Mercer Rug, which he founded back in 1936. Tinsley went to Columbia University and has been working for companies such as Vogue and Christian Dior.
Teresa Heinz Kerry
Net Worth of $750 million
Inherited From: Heinz Ketchup
You know you are set up for life when your last name is on the ketchup bottle. Teresa is the widow of Heinz heir John Heinz. Teresa is now the heir thanks to John, who left his entire wealth to her. She runs the Heinz charities now. She uses the funds left to her to fund charities that deal in the environmental sector, as well as educational programs.
Clare Bronfman
Net Worth of $500 million
Inherited From: Seagram's
Clare is the heiress to the Seagram Liquor fortune. Her father, Edgar Bronfman, Sr., founded the company. Clare is a very accomplished equestrian who reached competitive levels when she was 20 years old. She has won many awards, such as the Samsung Nations Cup and the Grand Prix. She has recently been link to the cult NXIVM Group which has stated that they help people reach their full potential. Clare plead guilty to charges of illicit activity.
Alexander Soros
Net Worth of $20 billion
Inherited From: George Soros
Alex Soros is the son of George Soros, the billionaire businessman and philanthropist. Alex attended Berkeley and NYU where he got a Ph.D. in History. He is a very successful writer, having been published in publications such as The Guardian, Politico, and The Forward. Much like his father and thanks to his own inheritance, Alex is a philanthropist who has a special place for Jewish and environmental causes.
Cindy McCain
Net Worth of $200 million
Inherited From: Hensley & Co.
Cindy is the heiress to the Hensley & Co. fortune. She is a businesswoman in her own right. Prior to getting into business, Cindy was a special education teacher. She decided to go into the business later on in life. She works together with her company to make their charitable contributions matter, serving on boards for international aid. She uses her money and power for good.
Susan Alice Buffett
Net Worth of $3 billion
Inherited From: Warren Buffett
Susan's last name was a dead giveaway as to where she got her fortune from. Investing tycoon Warren Buffett is the reason for Susan's wealth and heiress status. She earned her wealth thanks to being given ownership of shares in her father's investment firm. Today, those shares are worth the billions of dollars you see here. While she is a very rich woman, she is also a philanthropist. She runs the Sherwood Foundation, an organization that helps lower income households.
Whitney Kroenke Burditt
Net Worth of $2.6 billion
Inherited From: Sam Walton (Walmart)
Whitney is the heiress to the Walmart fortune. Whitney is a film producer who lives in Los Angeles. She went to Northwestern University prior to moving to LA. Her resume includes stints as a dancer, actress, and choreographer before her production titles. As with many heiresses, she is also a philanthropist and founded Playing for Change, a nonprofit that helps build school for the arts around the world.
Anne Hearst
Net Worth of $28 billion
Inherited From: William Randolph Hearst
The Hearst family has a lot of people, and therefore multiple entries here. Anne is one of the granddaughters of William Hearst, the founder of the Hearst Corporation. Anne is the director of The Princess Grace Foundation, the company's nonprofit. She is also on the board of the Hearst Castle Preservation, which protects historical landmarks. Anne has been married three times, her most recent marriage was in 2006 and is still going strong.
Peter Brant II
Net Worth of $1 billion
Inherited From: White Birch Paper
One of the only males on this list for some reason (no sons?), Peter is the son of Peter Brant (the first), an art collector and business mogul. Brant II went to Bard College and is a fashion designer and model. His mother is former model Steph Seymour, so you see where he gets his mighty lovely looks from. Peter and his brother Harry have worked together to create a unisex makeup line with MAC cosmetics.
Alexa Dell
Net Worth of $27 billion
Inherited From: Dell Technologies
Alexa is a huge figure in the American socialite sphere. Her father is the CEO of Dell Technologies, which is where her incredible net worth is derived from. The house she grew up in in Austin, Texas, was called The Castle due to its size. Alexa was always interested in photography and fashion, which makes her Instagram feed understandable. With a fortune such as hers, there is little she cannot do.
James Murdoch
Net Worth of $500 million
Inherited From: Rupert Murdoch
James is the son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch. Rupert is the brains and power behind Fox News. James went to Harvard University and was the chairman of 21st Century Fox for a while. Later, James became the chair of News Corp and Sky PLC. Over the years his responsibilities grew within this father's corporation, seeing James fun News of the World, STAR TV, and SKY Italia.
Lynsi Synder
Net Worth of $3 billion
Inherited From: In-N-Out Burger
Snyder is the billionaire granddaughter of Harry Snyder, the man behind the massively successful burger chain In-N-Out Burger which he founded in 1948. Lynsi was the country's youngest billionaire before Kylie Jenner got onto the scene. She is majority owner of the chain, making her the sole beneficiary of the trusts. Lynsi is also the chain's President, sixth in number; she took over for there brother-in-law, Mark Taylor.
Lisa Jobs
Net Worth of $18.8 billion
Inherited From: Apple, Inc.
Lisa is the daughter of the late Apple founder and CEO Steve Jobs. She attended Harvard University. Lisa was initially not recognized by Jobs as his daughter as Steve denied fathering her even after DNA testing was done. It took years, but eventually Steve reconciled with Lisa, leaving her the massive inheritance that she has today and will set her up for her life and the life of many generations to come.
Chloe Green
Net Worth of $4.9 billion
Inherited From: TopShop
Chloe is the daughter of Sir Phillip Green and is the heiress to the TopShop fortune for which her father is the CEO of. Chloe had her own reality television show, Made in Chelsea, which was short-lived but showed the world a taste of her life. She posts on her social media very often, showcasing her luxurious lifestyle; especially her giant yacht, which is called Lionchase.
Nicole Mellon
Net Worth of $1 billion
Inherited From: Matthew Mellon
Nicole married into her fortune, making her an heiress. She married Matthew Mellon, of the Mellon family. Her marriage to Matthew was not a good one and so the two were headed towards separation as a result of the family's gross expenses. Unfortunately, Matthew passes away from an overdose the day before entering rehab. Seeing as they were still married, Nicole inherited his $1 billion fortune.
Owsley Brown III
Net Worth of $643 million
Inherited From: George Garvin Brown
Owsley Brown III is heir to his grandfather, George Garvin Brown's, fortune. He founded the Brown Forman Corporation all the way back in 1870. Owsley Brown III's father was Owsley Brown Frazier, and he owned Bittners LLC, a design and architectural firm. Between these two, Owsley Brown III is worth his massive fortune. He went to the University of Virginia, after which he founded Magnanimous Group, a wine company. He is a film producer these days.
Haley Busch
Net Worth of $1.5 billion
Inherited From: Anheuser-Busch
Haley is the heiress to one of the largest beer breweries in the world - Anheuser-Busch. In addition to being an heiress, she is an actress and was in films like The Final Song, 23 Minutes to Sunrise, The Importance of Doubting Tom, and Bratz. Haley is the daughter of Billy Busch. She is a fantastic polo player and has taken part in the Bud Light Polo Team, winning many matches.
Jane Goldman
Net Worth of $3.4 billion
Inherited From: Sol Goldman
Jane is a producer and screenwriter. She has written screenplays for years and has been a part od the writing team on films like X-Men, Stardust, and Kick-Ass. Her first solo writing job was for the film The Woman in Black. Her father, Sol Goldman, is a real estate mogul who has dominion over much of New York City; making Jane the wealthy heiress she is.
Ally Hilfiger
Net Worth of $400 million
Inherited From: Tommy Hilfiger
Ally is the daughter of fashion designer and icon Tommy Hilfiger. She is the heiress to his massive fortune and is a socialite who is well-known in the sphere. Ally has not had it easy, battling Lyme disease since she was a child. Today, Ally is a producer and author, writing books about her Lyme disease to help other children cope.
Rooney Mara
Net Worth of $12 million
Inherited From: Timothy Christopher Mara
Rooney was an heiress before she was the actress we all know and love. She attended both NYU and George Washington University. Her wealth comes from her family's co-ownership of the Pittsburgh Steelers football team. Her star rose above her heiress status when she took on the role of Lisbeth Salander in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. She continued to succeed in the acting world with her role in Carol, and Lion.
Giada De Laurentiis
Net Worth of $20 million
Inherited From: Dino De Laurentiis
Years before Giada wowed the world with her cooking show, she was born into the De Laurentiis family which was made wealthy by Dino De Laurentiis, her grandfather. Dino was a famous Italian film producer who was said to be responsible for bringing Italian cinema to the world platform. Giada De Laurentiis is now on top of the world as a chef, author, television show personality and former cooking show host.
North West
Net Worth of $130 million
Inherited From: Kanye West and Kim Kardashian
She may be young, but North West is already an heiress to her parent's massive fortune. She is one of the wealthiest kids on the planet, with some of her net worth already coming from her as she has been in commercials, and music videos along with her famous dad. North is also a model for her parents fashion line which includes a kids line.
Blue Ivy Carter
Net Worth of $1.2 billion
Inherited From: Beyonce and Jay-Z
North West has some competition here. Blue Ivy Carter is young and the wealthiest child in the world. An heiress to her musical family's fortune, Blue Ivy has been kept at close range to her parents who are very private people. She has been in her parents songs and dances ballet; perhaps she got some of her mother's dancing skills!
Megan Ellison
Net Worth of $60 billion
Inherited From: Oracle
The daughter of Oracle Corporation chairman Larry Ellison, Megan Ellison, is an heiress if there every was one. The woman is worth $60 billion for being born. She is a film producer in her profession, and has been so since 2007. Some of her production credits include, Her, Zero Dark Thirty, Phantom Thread, and American Hustle. She has been nominated for an Academy Award for almost all of her production work.
Bryce Dallas-Howard
Net Worth of $15 million
Inherited From: Ron Howard
Bryce is the daughter of Hollywood film director and actor Ron Howard. Ron has been in the business since he himself was a child. Bryce followed in her father's footsteps but did not want to use his name to get ahead. She has earned herself a name by sheer talent, starring in films like The Village, Lady in the Water, and the Jurassic Park films.
Miley Cyrus
Net Worth of $160 million
Inherited From: Billy Ray Cyrus
Miley is famous today for her many talents - singing, acting, drama-making! But first she was just country star Billy Ray Cyrus's little girl. She was born into a fortune, making her an heiress, but has built upon it greatly with her television show roles, her films, and her musical adventures. She won MTV Artist of the Year in 2013, and has most recently been in Black Mirror's newest season.
Rashida Jones
Net Worth of $25 million
Inherited From: Quincy Jones
Rashida is a writer, producer and actress. She has made a name for herself on her own, but she was also born with the talent to do so. Her father is legendary musical producer Quincy Jones, and her mother is the late actress Peggy Lipton. Rashida shot to fame on shows like The Office and Parks & Rec. She writes for shows and movies, and has been an advocate for exploitation in the entertainment industry.
Allison Williams
Net Worth of $2 million
Inherited From: Brian Williams
Before her breakout role on Girls, Allison was raised by a famous man who made her the original heiress that she is. Her father is news anchor and journalist Brian Williams. Allison went to Yale University, after which she started acting. She received much praise for her role in Get Out, and most recently in the Netflix film, The Perfection. There is a lot more to this woman than her fortune.
Alexa Ray Joel
Net Worth of $10 million
Inherited From: Billy Joel
Her mother is model Christie Brinkley, her father is musical legend Billy Joel; Alexa was destined for stardom. The heiress got her parents talents and is a singer as well. Her personal style is more blues and soul. She is a pianist and songwriter, helping her create her own original music. She has been singing since 2006, and is singed to The Hang Production, Inc.
Travis Knight
Net Worth of $34 billion
Inherited From: Nike
Travis is the son of Phil Knight, the man who founded Nike. His grandfather was also a successful man, a publisher. Travis is the classic heir, holding various interesting jobs as a result of too many options. He was a rapper, using his father's recording studio which was in their mansion. He then moved on to directing, producing, and animating films. Luckily, he is very good at that and is the head animator for the Laika movie studio.
Georgia May Jagger
Net Worth of $360 million
Inherited From: Mick Jagger
With a last name like Jagger, there is little you cannot do. George May was born into her dad's fortune. Her mother is legendary model Jerry Hall, so the combination is a winning one. She has been modeling since 2008 and is represented by the TESS agency. She has modeled for brands like Versace, Miu Miu, Vivienne Westwood, and Chanel, to name a few.
The Bezos Children
Net Worth of $131 billion
Inherited From: Amazon, Inc.
Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, and his now-ex wife MacKenzie Tuttle have four children together. These four kids are heirs to their parents massive fortune. The four kids, three boys and a girl, will split the astounding fortune of $131 billion (and growing). Jeff grew up with very little, yet built Amazon from scratch and is now going to leave his kids with a fortune that can run a small country.