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!

Me.
According to my family (dsis's), I'm "sitting pretty"
Truth is, I was a single parent, had to learn the hard way how to make my very little money stretch, I've been in a position too many times where I've not been able to afford food for myself, I know what hungry feels like.
Never wanted to be in that position again.
I've worked hard, I've trained and have a good job in an industry that I've been in for nearly 30 yrs.
I don't waste money, I save, I've paid off my mortgage and I have a financial adviser (I'm not rich, just needed help with getting the best return)
I live like anyone else, can pay my bills, have a nice-ish car, dont have to worry about the cost of a holiday.
I also constantly bail my family out of their financial messes.
The reality is they've made some bad choices and continue to make them and think my good fortune is done to luck not my hard work

DP’s parents, without a doubt. They built a successful retail business in a large, prosperous town in the South-East. They bought the freehold of the shop from which they traded & payed off the mortgage until they owned it outright.

Then, in the 2000s when retail was booming, a multinational corporate decided it wanted the site, which was in a prime location and made them a financial offer they couldn’t refuse. So they sold up & retired. They bought a big house in several acres of land plus several other properties which are rented out. The total value would be £ several million. Not that you would ever guess by looking at them or speaking to them.

My sibling and their partner. They have no children and so save so much more than I ever could, plus they have both been able to commit far more fully to their careers.

An aunt who inherited the family farm and married the son of the farmer next door… you wouldn’t think it to look at them but they own a shed load of land…

Probably either DH or his uncle. The uncle has his own law practice and does high value work for wealthy clients. DH is highly skilled in a fairly niche and therefore lucrative tech field.

Both from very ordinary backgrounds and have just worked their way up.

The uncle and family have a very beautiful and large house in an expensive area. They are the least flashy people imaginable but just enjoy life in their own way rather than showing off.

We live in a fairly expensive area in a large house and our children attend private school but otherwise we are extremely ordinary - no fancy holidays or clothes etc. although granted we are very fortunate to be able to afford bills and food etc without any worries.

My Bil, he worked hard and made good career choices fwiw wouldn't want his life
My side would be my sister she's a good career but their wealth is mainly through her dhs inheritance

No one "rich" in my family. In my wider circle one family are wealthy due to investing in property 40 years ago, two for becoming 'famous', one from very unexpected inheritance.

Me, because I’ve moved across careers and 3 European capitals chasing opportunities. Most of my family of origin didn’t move across town even, still living at the same address they’ve been born at.

My DSis. She worked her way to the top of a very competitive and lucrative profession. She’s semi retired at 55, just doing a bit of consultancy to keep her hand in. But I would say that her capacity for hard work and her resilience are higher than anyone I ever met and it still nearly killed her. I’m really proud of her and she deserves the spoils, but I couldn’t have done half of it.

I suppose myself and DH.
We are mortgage free since early 40's.
DH recently inherited €200k, it's put away in Government savings bonds and we both max our pensions out.
We both work (hard), DH is older than me and will retire early in 2 years.

Siblings live off social welfare, get paid into the hand, prioritise disneyland, drinking, new kitchens,l and keeping up with the jones's.
We could keep up with the Jones, we choose not to.

My ex h. Left me with 3 young children for a wealthy woman when he realised my Parents left no money.

He's not rich. Just the richest in our sphere.

My stepmother I'd guess. She and my Dad bought a maisonette near Hampstead Heath in the 80s, bought the downstairs in the 90s and converted the two back to being one ginormous house. They were never big spenders, and since he died, she just rattles around in there. I guess my half-sisters will inherit a good chunk of money when she dies.

My uncle.

Built up a catering business from just one van. He sold the business for millions.

If you take into account property then it would be me which is quite amusing as I am considered the black sheep of the family and have no contact with my relatives...

Not sure. DB has put two dcs through private school from nursery to masters, but that costs a lot of money. A fairly ordinary house and a modest way of life.

Dsis is a single mum but has put her ds through private school while living a very modest life in a very spacious house.

Neither discusses money. Each started with nothing and have worked in international roles, having their families late.

I've just realised that you weren't using "...threw me under a bus" as an idiom.

I am so sorry this happened to you. I always wish for more money, but I also have the proviso that it comes with having my health in full as well. No amount of money is worth going through what you did, and I understand fully it's there to help make adaptations in your life to make life a little bit more bearable.

I know its totally off topic, but how does your life compare from before it happened to now, only if you want to share. Tell me to stop being nosey if you like, I am interested.

My uncle. Married a rich only child and is living off a navy pension. Horses, a boat, the lot.

I don’t know everybody’s financial situation (and why would I?) but I assume it would be my cousin who won a very large amount on the lottery.

My in laws. Retired dentists!

But also my bil has a lot of wealth as he works on rigs and lives in Thailand so by Thai standards he is wealthy and has no money worries.

Stepdad’s niece, she is in a very famous girl band.

Oooof @CouldBeOuting that is tough.

Me. Worked my way here from nothing. We have a much bigger house and a nicer car but otherwise we're no different to the rest of the close family. TBH it's nearly all tied up in the house which I see as my retirement fund! But we do all the hosting for Christmas, Easter, birthdays etc and never expect anyone to bring anything.

Us.

Why? The vast majority has come from :

1. very hard work from DH and I + high EQ, leading on to great careers (and now DH has its own business, netting off millions for himself every year). We have worked relentlessly to get there, don’t sleep much, weekdays spent on work and at least half a day on weekends spent on personal admin/investments… As time goes we can enjoy more and more quality time, leveraging help at home and at work. Most people around us (friends, family) keep questioning how we do it and admit they wouldn’t be able to do it even if they wanted. I think we are borderline hyperactive.

and

2. Being very careful with money (and still being today despite being very well off), prioritising investments over futile spend (no flashy cars, no flashy holidays travelling first class to the Maldives, no branded clothes…).
   We have a big family (5 children), live very comfortably with multiple properties, home help, nice holidays, expensive hobbies, but nothing flashy, preferring to invest in real estate and companies/start-ups instead of spending. In addition we have already gifted a significant amount of money to the children so they get a head start and can buy a house.

3. I guess luck has played a role to some extent. For me having a great boss/mentor at the start of my career, for DH being offered a once in a lifetime work opportunity 15 years ago through an acquaintance.

Our families (parents) are quite well off (particularly DH) but inheritance is peanuts relative to what we have built. Our siblings also have very different lifestyles compared to us.

My BIL. Very hard working, senior partner in Accountancy firm.

Inherited nothing, in fact often called on to support his parents. Hard childhood.

Was blessed with a good business brain, and a wife who supports herself financially , and takes a big load at home. Lovely teenage DC.

He’s a good man, very driven, but understated.

My dad’s youngest brother (of 8). He made it big himself, calls himself a financial adviser but really is an insurance salesman. He had a lot of support from family when he started. His net worth is 7 figure.

He is also the biggest miser I know.