That modest business later grew into one of the world's largest hotel companies
The family behind global hotel giant, Marriott International, has been named among the richest families in the United States of America as Forbes reports a sharp rise in the number of American family fortunes valued at more than $10 billion.
The Marriott family's wealth traces back nearly a century to 1927, when John Willard (J.W.) Marriott and his wife, Alice Marriott, opened a small nine-seat A&W root beer stand in Washington D.C., with just $6,000.
That modest business later grew into one of the world's largest hotel companies.
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Today, Marriott International operates nearly 9,800 hotels and properties across 145 countries and territories, with a portfolio of more than 30 hotel brands, including Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Sheraton and Westin.
According to Forbes' latest America's Decabillionaire Families ranking, a record 54 multi-generational families are now worth at least $10 billion, up from 45 families when the list was first published in 2024.
Collectively, the families are worth an estimated $1.9 trillion, an increase of nearly $600 billion over the past two years.
The report noted that the fortunes of most of these families have been built over several generations.
All but five of the families are now in at least their fourth generation, while the Du Pont family has maintained its wealth across nine generations.
Ten families made their debut on the latest ranking, including those behind building materials company Quikrete, trucking firm Estes Express Lines and the owners of the NFL's San Francisco 49ers.
Meanwhile, the Chao family, owners of Westlake Corporation, dropped off the list after its estimated fortune fell below the $10 billion threshold.
The ranking also showed a change among the wealthiest families in America. The family behind Koch, Inc. moved ahead of the Mars family to become the country's second-richest dynasty.
However, the Walton family, heirs to the Walmart fortune, retained their position as America's richest family by a wide margin.
Forbes estimates their fortune has nearly doubled over the past two years to more than half a trillion dollars , making them the biggest gainers on the latest list.
ANAS/SA
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