Who is the richest person in your family and why?

[ByFluentPombear]

Just being nosy! Who is the richest person in your family and how did they get there? Did they inherit wealth, build a business, work their way up in a high-paying career, or something else?

Do they live noticeably different from the rest of the family, or are they quite low-key about it?

No judgement - just curious about the different paths to financial success!

My brother. Went to Cambridge (from state school) and has worked hard. Now in gas and oil hedge funds. His job sounds very dull but pays very well.

Inlaws he has an ordinary managerial type .job she owns a company they are loaded but tbf to them yes they have a nice house but they don't fling their money about..

Probably me. Through inheritance, my first husband died. Combo of high life insurance policies and compensation.
All my immediate family do well for themselves...good careers/money saavy etc

Probably DH/me.

Husband spends works for BP, so has a good wage. I bring home 6 figures as well.

We invest well and are very frugal - other than children's education and holidays (UK), we don't have any major outgoings. My car is a Ford Estate from the early 00s! 😃

Wasn't always like this for us - I can remember my mum having to take toilet roll from work as we couldn't afford it sometimes...and DH grew up on a council estate in Croydon. Hard work and perseverance got us to where we are today.

Who is the richest person in your family and why?

Me! I have a roof over my head, food in my belly, warmth, and the deep love of family and a small circle of dearest friends. I also have the free gift of eternal life by faith in the Lord Jesus. I have sight to see the smallest of creatures going about their daily tasks and to see plants springing into life. I have ears to hear children's laughter and beautiful bird song. I have peace in my heart and a clear conscience. I have a supply of Assam tea, a bone china mug, and my favourite Aldi's orange chocolate buttons. I have my telly and the laughter that comes from watching reruns of Scrubs on ITVX. I have riches beyond measure, and beyond price.

If you mean material wealth that is only temporary to this life (as there are no pockets in shrouds)? I've no idea, but that's not me. 😂

my parents, the area they bought a house in gentrified

BIL married into a family of very successful businessmen (SIL's brothers) and they helped him get set up with a business of his own. He's since sold that business but owns lots of properties now.

One of my uncles. He was left everything in my grandfather's will. Only boy you see. Grandfather was a property developer in the 70s and 80s and then sold big later on.

@Moier sorry to hear that. Not sure if it's crass but who pays the payout if the criminal doesn't have any money?

Probably my brother retired now but had a high flying job for years so good pension and bought their house in a desirable village near Brighton 30 years ago so house has become mortgage free and worth a lot more than they paid for it

My cousin who spent some years in prison for fraud. He did very well out of his crimes and somehow hung onto it all. He has a lovely house with swimming pool and grounds and a devoted wife. Nice chap by the way, you would never guess he is a criminal.

Me. worked my backside off, invested in a flask and lunchbox, moved north.

The couple who are a banker and a lawyer.

They got there because they are a banker and a lawyer.

My first cousin. He’s a 60 year old business man and is a millionaire on paper. Live in a lovely house, drives the big cars, mega holidays etc. He’s a lovely man though, really down to earth

Oh and to the why, started a business many years ago that flourished

We have a couple of lawyers in our wider family and I expect they are rolling in it, but we don't see them much and have never talked about money, so I don't know how wealthy they are.

You sent me down a rabbit hole there , we don't have any great wealth in our family.
But I have a male colleague who's brother is very well known in the business world ( the brother I know is not looked after in any way by his brother , financial or otherwise )

A quick look up of his name tells me his bonus in 2011 was £10 million . So his wealth must be quite something

Mr ordinary colleague , doesn't see or hear from him very often !

Not got a clue, never occurs to me to ask or even to speculate.

Well, I couldn't tell you for sure, because we don't really talk about our respective financial situations, but probably my elderly uncle or one of my cousins.

My uncle was born to very humble beginnings but with an exceptionally clever brain. He achieved great things in academia and then went on to found a tech company that I never understood in the slightest. He then sold that company for a fairly vast amount of money. So I would think he is probably the wealthiest.

But one of my cousins also married someone very wealthy, so it might be her. Don't really know much about how he made his money!

We are in the very fortunate position on my side of the family where all of us have done quite well for ourselves. Very different from DH's family where we have had to help out relatives living in poverty - through no fault of their own, I might add.

So much of our success is linked to accidents of birth and being in the right place at the right time. Of course, talent and hard work play a part, but luck is also a huge factor!

My father and his wife. Inherited wealth and good pensions. The wife is significantly younger and won’t leave us a penny, though, but that’s fine. It’s always best not to rely on any inheritance and my lifestyle is pretty cheap so I’m doing alright.

I wouldn't know and wouldn't discuss it here if Idid

Not sure why there isn’t a shocked emoji but this post stopped me in my tracks. Jeez sending you a big hug

Me, through inheritance from my Grandmother and a holiday letting business gift from my Mother. I used to have 8 holiday let's but had to sell one due to the pandemic.

I don't now have a lot of family left and cannot say I've ever given their finances any thought. I have one cousin who has a home here and abroad, goes away a lot on cruises, is quite hedonistic. She is very nice, fun and kind - and 83. She enjoys life, good for her. I suppose she is the wealthiest.

Does it matter?

My stepmother. My late mother inherited a decent amount from her parents, my Dad inherited all that when she died, as well as her life assurance, mortgage paid off on house etc. this was on top of inheritance from his parents. He remarried a woman who had already inherited big from her first husband. Dad died and she said he hadn’t made a will so as his wife she got everything. She is very well off and living the lifestyle accordingly. My mother and grandparents must be spinning in their graves.
Not bitter…. Much ….