The first word out of these children’s mouths was “beneficiary.” Forget grandma’s engagement ring, fine china from the Old Country, or dad’s Babe Ruth-signed baseball. These real estate heirs were born with millions of square feet to their name, and here’s what they’re up to:
TRUMP
The offspring: Ivanka, Donald Jr., and Eric
What they’ll inherit: The Donald’s $4B net worth, which includes real estate ranging from the Old Post Office building in DC to a contentious planned golf course in Scotland. (Whiskey included, we hope.)
What they’re up to: All three work for The Trump Organization. (A man who doesn’t spend time with his family can never be a real man, just ask Don Corleone.) Ivanka, married to real estate heir Jared Kushner, designs jewelry and has two kids. Don Jr. is an Operation Smile ambassador and he’s expecting his fifth child. When Eric’s not hanging with his miniature beagle, he’s raising money for St. Jude’s.
BRANSON
The offspring: Holly and Sam (above, on each end, Sam's wife in the center)
What they’ll inherit: Richard Branson’s $5B and a brand that extends far beyond real estate. Our CDs from Virgin Records might have been sold in a garage sale, but we’re still flying hip Virgin America on our way to a vacation at an even hipper Virgin Hotel.
What they’re up to: Both work for the family, though Holly graduated from med school and Sam is interested in filmmaking. Daddy also says he’ll be taking them on a trip to outer space on Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo, but we imagine they prefer the creature comforts of the family’s Necker Island retreat in the British Virgin Islands.
PRITZKER
The offspring: Too many to count
What they’ll inherit: More billions than our elementary math skills can count. For reference, 11 members of the Hyatt family dot the Forbes billionaires list, with a collective net worth of $27.2B.
What they’re up to: JB’s investing heavily in the burgeoning tech scene in Chicago, Penny’s (above) helping dictate policy as Secretary of Commerce, and Karen produced a documentary on her daughter’s struggles with dyslexia. With Matthew continuing the family name in real estate, Jennifer founding a military library, and Liesel on stage and screen (Remember A Little Princess?), this family will likely remain in the cultural lexicon for years to come.
BLUHM
The offspring: Andy, Leslie, and Meredith
What they’ll inherit: Neil Bluhm’s $2.6B fortune stems from self-made real estate success at JMB Realty (once one of the largest developers in the US) and later Walton Street Capital, along with a nice portfolio of casinos around the country. (Next time, just stick your pennies into his pocket instead of the slots.)
What they’re up to: Leslie is a philanthropic powerhouse in Chicago, married to another real estate whiz, Zell protégée David Helfand (behind the legend, above). Meredith is also focused on charity work. Andy founded opportunistic hedge fund Delaware Street Capital, which at its peak managed $750M-plus in assets.
ORTEGA
The offspring: Sandra, Marcos, Marta
What they’ll inherit: Amancio Ortega is the fourth richest person in the world with $62.3B, most famously attributed Inditex’s fashion powerhouse, Zara. (Admit it, you have at least one Zara item in your closet. Though it’s probably not as cute as our pink dress.) But he’s also a huge real estate investor through Ponte Gadea, owning everything from skyscraper Torre Picasso in Madrid to a $350M piece of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile.
What they’re up to: Marta (above, with her husband), an avid equestrian, is reportedly next in line to take over the family business, and Sandra’s firm controls other brands like Massimo Dutti and Pull & Bear.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)