2 Of America's Richest Families Hail From NJ

NEW JERSEY — Two New Jersey families are among the richest in the United States, according to a recently updated list released by Forbes.

The Waltons continued their reign as the richest family in America thanks to their stake in Walmart, the world's largest retailer by sales. According to Forbes, an estimated 45 percent of Walmart's stock is held by the families of seven heirs to founders Sam Walton and his brother Bud.

Rounding out the top three were the Mars and Koch families. The Mars family owns Mars Inc., one of the world's largest candy and pet food companies, while the Koch family started what became America's second-largest private company, Koch Industries.

In New Jersey, these two families made the list:

Dorrance family

The Dorrance family of Camden came in at No. 23 on Forbes' list with an estimated net worth of $17 billion.

John T. Dorrance, who died in 1930, invented the formula for Campbell's famous condensed soup in 1869 and later took over the Campbell's Soup Company in 1914. At least 87 descendants of Dorrance today own more than a third of the global food giant, which generates more than $9 billion of annual revenue, according to Forbes.

Johnson family

The Johnson family of New Brunswick came in at No. 26 on the list with an estimated net worth of $16 billion.

Robert Wood Johnson founded health products giant Johnson & Johnson in 1886, providing the world with dental floss and first-aid kits, according to Forbes. His son, Robert Wood Johnson II, took over the family business in 1932 and turned it into a global brand.

See the full list of America's richest families.