Just How Rich? Two Michigan Families Among America’s Wealthiest

They don't quite have Walmart money, but a couple of Michigan families are among the wealthiest in the US, according to a recent ranking by Forbes.

Who Are the Richest Families in Michigan?

The identities of Michigan's wealthiest families will probably come as no surprise. Landing at number 27 on Forbes' list is the Meijer family, with a grocery store empire headquartered in Grand Rapids.

Meijer was founded in 1934 by Hendrik Meijer and is credited with pioneering the grocery supercenter concept. Meijer operates about 259 stores throughout the Midwest, with locations in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Wisconsin. About half of Meijer's 259 stores are located in Michigan.

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Also at number 27 (part of a three-way tie) is the Stryker family. Although not a household name like Meijer, the Stryker Corp. medical supply company does business globally as one of the world's leading medical technology companies.

Stryker's products include implants used in joint replacement and trauma surgeries, surgical equipment, and surgical navigation systems. They also manufacture endoscopic and communications systems as well as other medical specialty devices.

How Rich Are Michigan's Richest Families?

The Michigan-based Meijer and Stryker families are in a three-way tie for number 27 on Forbes' list of the richest families in the US. Also at number 27 is the Marriott family, proprietors of the nationwide Marriott Hotel chain.

Each of these three families is estimated to be worth $15.9 Billion. That's billion with a 'B!'

Who Are the Richest Families in the United States?

As you may expect, the Walton family tops Forbes' annual list. The family's name is behind the Walmart brand, operating about 4,500 Walmart stores across the US.