The Meijers – $7.3B
If you come from the Midwest, the odds are good that you know of Meijer supermarkets. This Michigan-based private company is owned by none other than the Meijer family. It was founded by Hendrik Meijer almost a decade ago after he immigrated from the Netherlands to the U.S. His 14-year-old son ended up becoming one of the first employees at the store. Nearly fifty years later, it ended up becoming one of the biggest supermarket chains in the United States. By the time the ‘60s rolled in, it had billions in revenue. The company is now run by Doug and Hank Meijer, who brought the twentieth century firm to even more success. They have appointed other people to oversee its day-to-day affairs.
The Meijers – $7.3B
The Greens – $7B
During the early ‘70s, David Green spent all the money he had – $600 – to invest in a business idea he came up with. In two years’ time, Hobby Lobby would become the flagship empire of the family. The arts and crafts store chain is privately owned by the Green family, though they have invested in different religious causes in other parts of the globe with their fortune. However, they have not been immune to controversy. Hobby Lobby was infamously caught smuggling various archaeological items from digs in Israel and Iraq in the hopes of using these artifacts for their Bible museum. They received a fine worth $3 million and had to return the items.
The Greens – $7B
