The fascinating life story of Saint Francis of Assisi
A newer, yet major, political family, the Clinton's have made a name for themselves in American politics. Bill Clinton was the 42nd President of the US, and his wife Hillary Clinton was the 67th United States Secretary of State, Senator from New York, and the First Lady of the US.
Having played a dominant role in Pakistani politics, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (left) served as the fourth president of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973, and as the ninth prime minister from 1973 to 1977. His daughter, Benazir Bhutto, served as the 11th and 13th prime minister from 1988 to 1990, and again from 1993 to 1996. She was assassinated in 2007.
It began in 1874, when Maurice Barrymore moved from England to New York City and made his Broadway debut alongside actress Georgiana Drew. Together they had three children, Lionel, Ethel, and John Barrymore (all pictured), who entered the industry as well. John had his son, John Drew Barrymore, who also became an actor and father to the best-known family member today, Drew Barrymore.
The Chauvelin's were a prominent French family that had great influence in state affairs from the 16th to 19th centuries. The family produced many notable diplomats and clergymen, including Germain Louis Chauvelin (pictured), who served as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs under Louis XV.
Entertainment industry magnates, the best-known family members are Francis Ford Coppola, Sofia Coppola, and Nicolas Cage. Other members include actor Jason Schwartzman and director Gian-Carla Coppola.
The origins of the world’s largest and oldest royal dynasty can be traced back to Hugh Capet of France (pictured), founder of the House of Capet in 987. Its founder, and his male-line descendants, ruled France without interruption from 987 to 1792, and again from 1814 to 1848.
Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor Company in 1903, and his family has been in control of it ever since. Today, the Ford family holds US$1.2 billion worth of common stock.
Founder of the vast Mongol Empire in 1206, Genghis Khan successfully united all nomadic tribes in Northeast Asia and dominated the green steppes of Mongolia. His grandson, Kubilai Khan, founded the Yuan dynasty in 1271, which ruled China until 1368.
One of the most prominent and important dynasties in European history, it was founded by German king Rudolf I, in 1282. The last monarch of the Hapsburg dynasty, Charles I of Austria (pictured), renounced the throne in 1918.
This royal house originated from the lands of Anjou in France. The family held the English throne from 1154, with the accession of Henry II, to 1485, when Richard III (pictured) died in battle. A flourishing kingdom, they adopted the common and constitutional laws that shaped England as we know it today.
The House of Medici was an Italian banking family and political dynasty that ruled Florence from the 15th to 16th centuries. The Medicis provided three popes: Leo X, Clement VII, and Leo XI. They also provided several members of the British and French royal houses, including Catherine de' Medici (pictured), Queen of France between 1547 and 1559.
First entering the spotlight in 2007 with their hit reality show 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians,' this family has now become a prominent name in fashion and business. Through different ventures, several members of the family have assets of over a billion dollars.
In ancient Rome, two powerful families merged into one even greater dynasty. It comprised the first five Roman emperors: Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. Julius Caesar is often credited as the founder of the dynasty, but he was never an emperor, nor did he have any blood ties with the Claudians.
One of the most influential political families in America, some known members were President John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Ted Kennedy.
The Nehru-Gandhi family is an Indian political family who have dominated Indian politics since its independence, but they have no ancestral relationship with Mahatma Gandhi. Three family members, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (pictured), his daughter Indira Gandhi (pictured), and her son Rajiv Gandhi, have all been prime ministers of India. Rajiv’s wife, Italian-born Sonia Gandhi, is the longest-serving president of the Indian National Congress. Their children Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi are also politicians.
The Marx Brothers were an American family comedy act that was successful in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in cinema from 1905 to 1949. Their groundbreaking humor made them among the greatest and most influential comedians of the 20th century.
The Murdoch family are prominent international media tycoons with roots in Australia, the UK, and the US. Rupert Murdoch is known for dominating the media, and many of his children and other relatives are, or were, also working in the field.
After successfully removing the Mongolian Yuan dynasty from the helm of the Chinese Empire, the first Ming emperor, Hongwu, ascended to the throne in 1368. The powerful dynasty lasted until 1644.
The Bush family is an American dynastic family that is prominent in politics, entertainment, and business. They're one of four families to have produced two presidents of the US by the same surname.
The Ptolemaic dynasty controlled Egypt from 305 to 30 BCE, eventually falling to the Romans. It was founded by general Ptolemy, one of the bodyguard companions of Alexander the Great. The most famous member of the line was their last queen, Cleopatra VII.
The Rockefeller family is an American industrial, political, and banking family that owns one of the world's largest fortunes. While a number of other "old money" families have lost their wealth or power, the Rockefeller's have managed to keep their empire.
A Jewish immigrant from Kyiv, Nicholas Pritzker built a legal legacy for his family by investing in real estate and small companies. Today one of the wealthiest families in America, their fortune arose in the 20th century, particularly through the founding and expansion of the Hyatt hotel corporation.
Sources: (Insider) (Vanity Fair)
See also: Celebrity heirs and heiresses who inherited a fortune
The Vanderbilt's are one of America’s oldest "old money" families. Their success began with the shipping and railroad empires of Cornelius Vanderbilt. They then expanded into various other areas and philanthropy. Contemporary descendants include actor Timothy Olyphant and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper (pictured with his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt).
The Rothschild family is a wealthy Ashkenazi Jewish family originally from Frankfurt, Germany. They rose to prominence with Mayer Amschel Rothschild (pictured), who established his banking business in the 1760s. One of the richest families in the world, today they cover various fields, including financial services, real estate, mining, energy, agriculture, winemaking, and nonprofits.
The Mellon family is a wealthy and influential Irish immigrant family from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The family fortune began when Judge Thomas Mellon (pictured) founded T. Mellon & Sons, now Bank of New York Mellon, in 1869. They're also known for Chevron, Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA), and a number of other companies and interests.
Often called "Japan's Kennedy family," the Hatoyama's are a prominent Japanese political family. Ichirō Hatoyama (left) and Yukio Hatoyama (right) served as prime minister of Japan from 1954 to 1956, and from 2009 to 2010, respectively.
One of the world's most prominent media companies, Hearst Communications was founded in 1887 by William Randolph Hearst. Today, the Hearst family remains involved in its ownership and management.
Founded in 1923 by four brothers—Harry, Albert, Sam, and Jack Warner—they're pictured here with golfer Bobby Jones. One of the first major Hollywood studios, the company today continues its reign as one of the biggest studios.
The Curie's are a French family with many distinguished scientists, including Polish-born Marie Curie, who married Pierre Curie. Several members were awarded the Nobel Prize.
Throughout history, when a family gains wealth, territory, and influence, they try to keep it. Families who successfully created dynasties have lasted for centuries and even shaped the biggest events in world history. And these influential families called the shots in several areas. They are old money dynasties, entertainment dynasties, and political dynasties, many of whom still hold a surprising amount of power.
From the Coppola's to the Kennedy's, let's discover the most important families in history. Click on for more.
Are these the most important families in history?
Dynasties that left a lasting impact on the world
LIFESTYLE Family
Throughout history, when a family gains wealth, territory, and influence, they try to keep it. Families who successfully created dynasties have lasted for centuries and even shaped the biggest events in world history. And these influential families called the shots in several areas. They are old money dynasties, entertainment dynasties, and political dynasties, many of whom still hold a surprising amount of power.
From the Coppola's to the Kennedy's, let's discover the most important families in history. Click on for more.