6 Wealthy Families Who Lost Their Fortunes

1. The Strohs

$9 billion (1882) to $0 (bank loans)

The Strohs is another one of 6 wealthy families who lost their fortunes. Their brewery company was founded in 1850 in Michigan. Bernhard Stroh emigrated to the United States of America and established the brewery when he was 28. Fifteen years later, he bought more land and expanded the business. It was one of the fastest growing companies in America and the Strohs became one of the wealthiest families.

His heirs, Bernhard Stroh Jr. and Julius Stroh took over the brewery after Bernhard’s death. The company was growing until they began to lose the market share. John Stroh III had to sell his labels to the Pabst Brewing Company and Miller Brewing Company in 1999. They lost billions of inheritance because of the bank loans they didn’t cover and strong competition.

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