Select Language:
The Arab world boasts some of the most affluent families in history. Many Arab dynasties, celebrated for their enormous wealth, opulent lifestyles, and rich cultural heritage, have become global symbols of power and influence. Their wealth extends well beyond the modern oil boom, rooted in centuries of trade, entrepreneurship, and innovation that laid the region’s economic groundwork.
According to Bloomberg’s annual report on the world’s wealthiest families in 2025, the top 25 families collectively gained $358.7 billion over the past year, pushing their combined fortunes to $2.9 trillion. Stock market growth and increased demand for commodities like metals and pet food contributed to this surge.
The report highlights three notably wealthy Arab families: the Al Nahyan family from the UAE, the Al Saud family from Saudi Arabia, and the Al Thani family from Qatar.
Al Nahyan Family
The ruling Al Nahyan family of Abu Dhabi, one of the seven emirates of the UAE, ranks as the second-richest family globally, with a net worth estimated at $335.9 billion. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Emir of Abu Dhabi and the nation’s president, has led the family’s influence for decades, even before oil transformed the economy. Sheikh Tahnoon, a national security adviser, manages personal and sovereign assets valued at around $1.5 trillion and has heavily invested in artificial intelligence.
Al Saud Family
Saudi Arabia’s Al Saud dynasty is the third-richest family worldwide, with an estimated net worth of $213.6 billion. Built largely on the kingdom’s vast oil reserves, the family’s wealth has expanded through historical inflows and reduced expenditures, according to Bloomberg. The family has approximately 15,000 extended members, many of whom earn income from government contracts, land deals, and businesses serving state entities like Saudi Aramco. The kingdom’s Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund, manages about $1 trillion, while Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman personally controls assets exceeding $1 billion.
Al Thani Family
The ruling Al Thani family of Qatar, which has held power since the mid-1800s, ranks fourth among the wealthiest families globally, with a net worth of about $199.5 billion. Oil discoveries in the 1940s initially boosted their wealth, but the development of Qatar’s massive offshore gas fields truly transformed the economy. Members of the family hold significant political influence and manage diverseBusiness interests, including hotels, insurance, construction, and foreign assets like luxury properties in London, stud farms, private banks, and luxury fashion brands such as Valentino.
ChatGPT
Perplexity
Gemini AI
Grok AI
