2 of Forbes’ richest families in America live in NJ

Kimberly Redmond//January 7, 2025//

New Jersey finances

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: DEPOSIT PHOTOS

New Jersey finances

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: DEPOSIT PHOTOS

2 of Forbes’ richest families in America live in NJ

Kimberly Redmond//January 7, 2025//

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Two New Jersey families are among the richest in America, according to a recently released list from .

As part of its first-ever wealthiest families ranking, the media outlet identified 44 dynasties with fortunes exceeding $10 billion.

Campbell's Soup
John Dorrance invented the formula for Campbell’s famous condensed soup in 1899. – DEPOSIT PHOTOS

Dorrance (The Campbell Co.)

The Dorrance family of Camden came in at No. 23 on the list, with an estimated net worth of $17 billon.

The family are descendants of John Dorrance, who invented the formula for Campbell’s famous condensed soup in 1899 and took the helm of the company in 1914. Dorrance died in 1930.

At least 87 members of his lineage today own more than one-third of the soup and snacks maker. Annually, the 142-year-old company generates more than $9 billion in revenue, Forbes said.

Three family members serve on the Camden-headquartered The Campbell Co.‘s board: Dorrance’s granddaughter Mary Alice Malone, her cousin Archbold van Beuren and her nephew Bennett Dorrance Jr.

Johnson & Johnson is headquartered in New Brunswick.
Robert Wood Johnson founded health products giant in 1886. – PROVIDED BY JOHNSON & JOHNSON

Johnson (Johnson & Johnson)

With an estimated net worth of $16 billion, the Johnson family of New Brunswick placed at No. 26 on Forbes’ list.

Robert Wood Johnson founded health products giant Johnson & Johnson in 1886, providing the world with dental floss and first-aid kits. His son, Robert Wood Johnson II, took over the family business in 1932 and turned it into a global brand.

Robert Wood Johnson II and his brother, Steward Johnson, both died with enormous fortunes, according to Forbes. When Robert Wood Johnson II died, he left the bulk of his money to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

The rest went to heirs, including fourth-generation sibling Robert Wood Johnson IV, co-owner of the New York Jets and U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2017 to 2021.

America’s richest families

Here are the top 10 richest families in the U.S. in 2024, according to Forbes:

1. Walton family: $267 billion; Walmart (Bentonville, Ark.)
2. Mars family: $117 billion; candy (McLean, Va.)
3. Koch family: $116 billion; diversified (Wichita, Kan.)
4. Cargill-MacMillan family: $60.6 billion; Cargill Inc. (Minneapolis, Minn.)
5. (Edward) Johnson family: $44.8 billion; money management (Boston, Mass.)
6. Pritzker family: $41.6 billion; hotels, investments (Chicago, Ill.)
7. S.C. Johnson family: $38.5 billion; cleaning products (Racine,Wis.)
8. Cathy family: $33.6 billion; Chick-fil-A (Atlanta, Ga.)
9. Duncan family: $30 billion; pipelines (Atlanta, Ga.)
10. Cox family: $26.8 billion; media (Atlanta, Ga.)