This MD Family Is Among The Richest In America

BETHESDA, MD — One Maryland family is among the richest in the United States, according to a recently updated list released by Forbes.

The Waltons continued their reign as the wealthiest family in America thanks to their stake in Walmart, the world's largest retailer by sales. According to Forbes, an estimated 45 percent of Walmart's stock is held by the families of seven heirs to founders Sam Walton and his brother Bud, making the family worth $267 billion.

In Maryland, the Marriott family — the owners of Bethesda-based Marriott International — came in at No. 27 on the list.

According to Forbes, Marriott International operates nearly 8,700 hotels and properties across the globe under more than 30 names, including Westin, Sheraton, Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis. The Marriotts still own at least 16% of the company's shares, making the family worth 15.9 billion.

Rounding out the top three were the Mars and Koch families. The Mars family of Virginia owns Mars Inc., one of the world's largest candy and pet food companies, while the Koch family started what became America's second-largest private company, Koch Industries.

Here are the top 10 richest families in the United States, according to Forbes:

1. Walton family, Arkansas: $267 billion
2. Mars family, Virginia: $117 billion
3. Koch family, Kansas: $116 billion
4. Cargill-MacMillan family, Minnesota: $60.6 billion
5. (Edward) Johnson family, Massachusetts: $44.8 billion
6. Pritzker family, Illinois: $41.6 billion
7. S.C. Johnson family, Wisconsin: $38.5 billion
8. Cathy family, Georgia: $33.6 billion
9. Duncan family, Texas: $30 billion
10. Cox family, Georgia: $26.8 billion

See the full list of America's richest families.