The Du Pont Family
The Du Pont family name is renown in America for over 200 years. The company was founded as a gunpowder manufacturer in 1802 but has since then ventured to other markets from chemicals to television sponsorship. They also expanded their influence over American high society, philanthropy and politics in the next two centuries. The Du Pont family controlled the company directly until the 1960s. Currently, the fortune at last count was about $14.3 billion, shared among 3,500 family members.