The Walton Family — $260 Billion (Walmart)

Sam Walton opened the first Walmart in Rogers, Arkansas in 1962. His heirs now control $260 billion — more than the GDP of Portugal. Rob, Jim, and Alice Walton collectively own about 50% of Walmart's shares. The company employs 2.1 million people worldwide, making it the largest private employer on Earth. Alice Walton built a $1.2 billion art museum (Crystal Bridges) in Bentonville. The Walton Family Foundation gives away $600 million annually. They are simultaneously the most generous and most criticized family in American business — because paying $600 million in charity while your workers need food stamps is a choice.