Who are the Richest Americans in History?

By adjusting historical fortunes for modern inflation, a new ranking reveals that while modern tech leaders like Elon Musk top the list with a net worth exceeding $740 billion, the colossal wealth of America’s industrial titans still looms large.

Figures like John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie, whose fortunes stemmed from oil and steel monopolies during the Gilded Age, hold their ground with inflation-adjusted wealth of roughly $500 billion and $450 billion respectively, showcasing how the rapid industrialization of the past created wealth that remains competitive with today’s digital economy.

The list also highlights the endurance of family dynasties like the Waltons, whose wealth from Walmart secures multiple spots, and the foundational fortunes built by early American magnates in finance and trade, such as the Mellons and John Jacob Astor.

This comparison illustrates the evolving yet persistent nature of extreme wealth in the United States across centuries, driven by different yet equally transformative economic forces.