"Nearly $300 billion was inherited this year as the Great Wealth Transfer picks up speed, showering family members with immense windfalls. According to the latest UBS Billionaire Ambitions Report, 91 heirs inherited a record-high $297.8 billion in 2025, up 36% from a year ago despite fewer inheritors. "These heirs are proof of a multi-year wealth transfer that's intensifying," Benjamin Cavalli, head of Strategic Clients & Global Connectivity at UBS Global Wealth Management, said in the report."
"Western Europe led the way with 48 individuals inheriting $149.5 billion. That includes 15 members of two "German pharmaceutical families," with the youngest just 19 years old and the oldest at 94. Meanwhile, 18 heirs in North America got $86.5 billion, and 11 in South East Asia received $24.7 billion, UBS said. This year's wealth transfer lifted the number of multi-generational billionaires to 860, who have total assets of $4.7 trillion, up from 805 with $4.2 trillion in 2024."
"Wealth management firm Cerulli Associates estimated last year that $124 trillion worldwide will be handed over through 2048, dubbing it the Great Wealth Transfer. More than half of that amount will come from high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth people. Among billionaires, UBS expects they will likely transfer about $6.9 trillion by 2040, with at least $5.9 trillion of that being passed to children, either directly or indirectly."
In 2025, 91 heirs inherited a record $297.8 billion, a 36% increase from 2024 despite fewer inheritors. Western Europe accounted for $149.5 billion among 48 individuals, including members of two German pharmaceutical families aged 19 to 94. North American heirs received $86.5 billion across 18 recipients, and Southeast Asian heirs received $24.7 billion across 11 recipients. The number of multi-generational billionaires rose to 860 with $4.7 trillion in assets, up from 805 with $4.2 trillion. Cerulli projects $124 trillion will transfer globally by 2048; UBS expects billionaires to transfer about $6.9 trillion by 2040, most to children. The transfer is expected to be gradual and complex.
Read at Fortune
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