The 20 Richest Power Couples And Their Net Worth

Accumulating wealthy is a great achievement but being among the wealthiest and having a family to share all that fortune with makes the achievement more fulfilling. To these billionaire couples, their relationship is as important as their business and as such, they put similar efforts on both their spouse and their business.

Unfortunately, the seven continents of the world are not fairly distributed within this list as only three continents are represented. North America predictably takes centre stage on the list while the remaining portions are divided between Asia and Europe. Hopefully, in the future, we will see more new entrants but for now, meet the 20 richest power couples in the world for the year 2021.

Richest Couples in The World and Their Net Worth

20. Hui Ka Yan and Yang Huiying

Richest power couples in the world

Net Worth: $32.2 Billion

Citizenship: China

Source of Wealth: Real Estate

Occupying the 20th position on our list of the richest power couples in the world is Chinese billionaire-cum-real estate magnate Hui Ka Yan and his wife, Yang Huiying. Yan grew up in relative poverty and spent the first ten years of his career working as a technician in a steel factory.

It was during this time that he met and married his wife and they joined hands together to found a real estate company in 1996. Today, that company has gone public and is one of the biggest real estate developers in China. It, therefore, comes as no surprise that the couple have a mouth-watering net worth of $32.2 billion

19. Ying Lin Qin and Ying Qian

20 richest power couples in the world

Net Worth: $33.4 Billion

Citizenship: China

Source of Wealth: Pig Breeding

Ying Lin Qin and Ying Qian are not just partners in the marriage institution but also the business world. The animal husbandry graduate and his wife started their first pig farm in 1992 with just about 22 piglets. The journey wasn’t easy as they faced several challenges along the way.

They however preserved and today, that dream has grown to 10 million pigs within a company known as Muyaun Foods. The Chinese couple is now the largest pig breeders in a country that favours pork and both sit on the board of a company valued at $39.1 Billion

18. Phil Knight and Penny Knight

20 richest power couples in the world
living.alot.com

Net Worth: $38.4 Billion

Citizenship: America

Source of Wealth: Nike

Phil and Penny Knight are another good example of a couple who have been together from the lean days and have gone on to build their fortune jointly. The Nike co-founder and his wife tied the knot back in 1968 when the company was still taking shape.

Today, Nike is one of the most valuable sports gear manufacturers in the world and is represented by elite athletes. Phil and his wife retain significant shares in the company and this accounts for their combined fortune which is put at $38.4 billion.

17. Francois Pinault and Salma Hayek

20 richest power couples in the world

Net Worth: $38.51 Billion

Citizenship: France and USA

Source of Wealth: Luxury Goods and Acting

What do you get when you put a business magnet and an iconic actress together? A power couple in every sense of the word. This is the story of award-winning Hollywood actress, Salma Hayek and her billionaire husband, François Renault.

The two tied the knot in 2007 and have continued to thrive in their respective fields. They have also welcomed one daughter, Valentina Paloma and in 2019, they made a €100 million donation to help rebuild the Notre Dame Cathedral.

16. Jack Ma and Cathy Zhang

20 richest power couples in the world

Net Worth: $43.9 Billion

Citizenship: China

Source of Wealth: e-commerce

Jack Ma needs no introduction. The Alibaba founder is one of the most beloved billionaires in the world. He is also one of the most eccentric and has been known to throw epic parties for his staff.

Ma is happily married to a former school teacher, Cathy Zhang, and she was one of those who helped him set up his first ventures. The couple now has a fortune of $43.9 billion and use same to support underprivileged communities in parts of China, Africa, Australia, and the Middle East

15. Charles & Elizabeth Koch

Net Worth: $48.2 Billion

Citizenship: United States

Source of Wealth: Diversified

Charles is one of two Koch brothers who make it to the list of the 20 richest power couples in the world alongside their spouses. Charles and his wife, Elizabeth, have been together since 1972, and their spheres of influence span across business, philanthropy, and politics.

The billionaire couple is also making inroads into exciting new ventures such as a hybrid cloud frim, D2iQ, and 3D metal printing start-up – Desktop Metal. This is courtesy of a venture capitalist firm which is headed by their son, Chase Koch.

14. David and Julia Koch

Net Worth: $50.5 Billion

Citizenship: United States

Source of Wealth: Diversified

David Koch may have passed away in August 2019 but he still pulled in enough money to ensure that he and his wife make the list of the 20 richest power couples in the world. The late Koch primarily made his fortune from America’s second-largest private company, Koch Industries, which he co-owned with his brother, Charles.

The company is focused on oil pipelines, refineries, building materials, paper towels, and Dixie cups, making more than $5 billion in acquisitions in 2014. Following his demise in August 2019, Koch’s wife, Julia, inherited enough money to make her one of the three riches women in the world. Some sources place her total fortune at $61.1 billion while others say it is closer to $43 billion.

13. Ma Huateng and Wang Dan-ting

20 richest power couples in the world

Net Worth: $51.5 Billion

Citizenship: China

Source of Wealth: Internet Media

Another Asian representation that we have on this list is China’s richest man, Ma Huateng, and his wife, Wang Dan-ting. The couple first met through a messaging app, QQ, that Ma had helped develop and popularise and have been together ever since.

In that time, they have built up enough fortune to emerge as not only the richest couple in China but also amongst the 20 richest power couples in the world.

12. Rob Walton and Melani Lowman-Walton

20 richest power couples in the world

Net Worth: $53.2 Billion

Citizenship: USA

Source of Wealth: Walmart

At number 12 on the list of the 20 richest power couples in the world is the eldest Walmart heir, Rob Walton and his wife, Melani Lowman-Walton. The couple has a combined net worth of $53.2 billion and has been known to use it to indulge their tastes.

Such lifestyle has fetched them criticism from some quarters and in a bid to douse them, Rob made a donation of $15 million to charity in June 2019.

11. Jim Walton and Lynne McNabb Walton

Net Worth: $53.6 Billion

Citizenship: America

Source of Wealth: Walmart

Another Walton that ranks amongst the richest power couples in the world is Jim and his wife, Lynne. Jim is the youngest son of Walmart co-founder, Sam Walton, and majorly made his fortune from the empire that his father created. He and his wife have been together since the 70s and have four kids. In 2019, the couple donated 11.2 million of their Walmart’s shares, worth $1.2 billion, to their family foundation which supports causes such as education and environment.

10. Francoise Bettencourt Meyers and Jean-Pierre Meyers

20 richest power couples in the world

Net Worth: $61.8 Billion

Citizenship: France

Source of Wealth: L’Oréal

Most of those who made it to the list of the 20 richest power couples in the world did so on the strength of the fortune supplied by the male partner. There is however one difference and that is L’Oréal heiress, Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, and her husband of over three decades, Jean-Pierre.

Francoise is the richest woman in the world and her fortune accounts for her and her husband making it to the top echelons. She and her husband reside in France and have made significant contributions to their society, including the renovation of the burnt Notre Dame cathedral.

9. Sergey Brin and Nicole Shanahan

20 richest power couples in the world

Net Worth: $62.6 Billion

Citizenship: United States of America

Source of Wealth: Google

It is often said that opposites attract but this does not seem to be the case with Google co-founder, Sergey Brin, and his wife, Nicole Shanahan. Just like her famous husband, Shanahan is also tech-savvy and has founded two legal tech apps, ClearAccessIp and Bia-Echo foundation.

Meanwhile, the couple secretly tied the knot in 2018 and only went public with their union in October 2019. They have since welcomed one child and in September 2019, Nicole donated $100 million for reproductive causes and research. The lady revealed that her donation was motivated by her struggles with infertility.

8. Larry Page and Lucinda Southworth20 richest power couples in the world

Net Worth: $64.3 Billion

Citizenship: United States of America

Source of Wealth: Google

Larry Page and his research scientist wife, Lucinda, tied the knot in 2007. For the nuptials, the couple rented out a private island and had celebrity guests such as U2’s Bono and Virgin Atlantic founder, Richard Branson.

As at that time, Page and his bride had a combined net worth of $20 billion. Fast-forward to 2021, the couple’s combined net worth has more than tripled to $64.3 billion and they are using it for personal and philanthropic gestures.

7. Mukesh and Nita Ambani

20 richest power couples in the world

Net Worth: $64.6 Billion

Citizenship: India

Source of Wealth: Reliance Industries

Number 7 on the list of the 20 richest power couples in the world is Indian business magnate, Mukesh Ambani, and his wife, Nita. The couple accumulated the bulk of their fortune from Reliance Industries, which has interests in oil refining, petrochemicals, telecommunications, and retail. Reliance is also the most valuable company in India.

Mukesh and his wife make their home in a lavish 27-story building located in Mumbai. The complex boasts of three helipads, 160-car garage, swimming pool, fitness centre, and private movie theatre, and requires a staff of 600 to keep it running.

6. Amancio Ortega & Flora Perez Marcote

20 richest power couples

Net Worth: $65.6 Billion

Citizenship: Spain

Source of Wealth: Zara

Zara mogul, Amancio Ortega Gaona, and his gorgeous spouse, Flora Perez Marcote are the 6th richest couple in the world. They own a Spanish fashion house and Inditex fashion group, best known for its chain of Zara clothing and accessories retail shops.

Ortega retired from Inditex, the parent company of the Zara chain in 2011, leaving the vice-president to take his place. In June 2015, he was ranked as the second richest person in the world by Forbes and the richest in Europe. Five years later, the Zara founder has fallen to the sixth richest in the world with a net worth of $65.6 billion

5. Steve Ballmer & Connie Snyder

20 richest power couples in the world

Net Worth: $68.9 Billion

Citizenship: America

Source of Wealth: Microsoft, L.A. Clippers

Ballmer and his wife, Connie Snyder (who has a personal net worth of $2 million), may not be as visible as the other couples on this list but that has not stopped their ascent as one of the wealthiest in the world.

The pair, who have been together since 1990, owe the majority of their fortune to Steve’s 14-year reign as the CEO of Microsoft. They have also made money from professional sports as the renowned businessman is the owner of the L.A. Clippers, having purchased the NBA team in 2014, the same year he retired from Microsoft.

4. Warren Buffett & Astrid Menks

Net Worth: $71.4 Billion

Citizenship: United States of America

Source of Wealth: Berkshire Hathaway

Warren Buffett and his wife, Astrid Menks, is wealthier than ever, thanks to the stellar performance of his diversified holding company, Berkshire Hathaway. However, even though Warren’s net worth increased from $67 billion in 2015 to $71.4 billion in 2021, he still fell from 3rd to 4th on Forbes list of the richest individuals in the world.

Meanwhile, the renowned investor and his wife are known for the spirit of giving. They gave away Berkshire shares worth $2.8 billion to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as their children’s foundations, bringing his lifetime giving to nearly $23 billion. Buffett says his best ever investment was buying Benjamin Graham’s book, The Intelligent Investor, in 1949.

3. Bernard Arnault & Helen Mercier

Net Worth: $102.8 Billion

Citizenship: France

Source of Wealth: LVMH

Bernard is a French business magnate, investor, philanthropist, and art collector. He is the chairman and Chief Executive Officer of LVMH, a French multinational conglomerate specializing in luxury goods. In March 2015, Forbes estimated his wealth to be $37 billion, making him the 13th richest person in the world.

Five years down the line, Bernard’s wealth has increased to about $102.8 billion, making him the third richest man alive. It also confers on him and his pianist wife, Mercier, the distinguished status of the third richest power couple in the world for 2021.

2. Mark Zuckerberg & Priscilla Chan

Net Worth: $137.9 Billion

Citizenship: United States of America

Source of Wealth: Facebook, Self-Made

If there is one billionaire couple who are truly following in the exemplary footsteps of Bill and Melinda Gates, it is Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan. the Facebook founder and his paediatrician wife have a combined net worth of about $137.9 billion and are dedicated to using it to make an impact in the world.

The couple has already signed the giving pledge, meaning that they will donate 99% of their wealth to charity in their lifetime. They have also supported various other philanthropic efforts through their foundation, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Even though the organization has attracted criticisms for the way it is structured, there is no doubt that it is making a tangible impact in the world.

1. Bill & Melinda Gates

guim.co.uk

Net Worth: $172 Billion

Citizenship: United States

Source of Wealth: Microsoft/Self made

Meet the world’s richest billionaire couple, Bill & Melinda Gates. In the last 21 years, the Microsoft co-founder has been the richest person on the planet for 16 non-consecutive years but he’s been steadily selling his shares in the software company for at least 15 years. He unloaded one-third of his remaining stake over 12 months through February 2015 which included a gift of shares worth $1.5 billion to The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Bill has a life-giving policy of about $29.5 billion, and he spends most of his time focused on philanthropy. In his annual January letter of 2020, he and his wife laid out some priority areas for their foundation which is the climate crisis and gender equality.

Their foundation is also committed to contributing to the global response to the coronavirus pandemic with a pledge of about $500 million. This will be geared towards detection, isolation, and treatment efforts, as well as the development of vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics against the virus.

Recap

Here is a quick list of the 20 richest power couples:

  1. Bill & Melinda Gates
  2. Mark Zuckerberg & Priscilla Chan
  3. Bernard Arnault & Helen Mercier
  4. Warren Buffett & Astrid Menks
  5. Steve Ballmer & Connie Snyder
  6. Amancio Ortega & Flora Perez Marcote
  7. Mukesh and Nita Ambani
  8. Larry Page and Lucinda Southworth
  9. Sergey Brin and Nicole Shanahan
  10. Francoise Bettencourt Meyers and Jean-Pierre Meyers
  11. Jim Walton and Lynne McNabb Walton
  12. Rob Walton and Melani Lowman-Walton
  13. Ma Huateng and Wang Dan-ting
  14. David and Julia Koch
  15. Charles & Elizabeth Koch
  16. Jack Ma and Cathy Zhang
  17. Francois Pinault and Salma Hayek
  18. Phil Knight and Penny Knight
  19. Ying Lin Qin and Ying Qian
  20. Hui Ka Yan and Yang Huiying

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