The Murdoch Family — $20 Billion (News Corp/Fox)

Rupert Murdoch built a media empire spanning Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, the New York Post, Sky News, The Sun, The Australian, and HarperCollins — controlling what billions of people read, watch, and believe. The 2023 Dominion Voting Systems settlement cost Fox $787.5 million — the largest defamation settlement in U.S. history. The Murdoch succession battle (Rupert vs. his four children for control of the trust) inspired HBO's Succession and is now playing out in real Nevada courts. At $20 billion, they're the "poorest" family on this list — but their influence on elections, media, and democracy is priceless. Or terrifying.