Hugh Grosvenor, the 7th Duke of Westminster, has increased his personal net worth by £170million, raising his estimated wealth to £9.52billion ($13billion) – a staggering amount of money for anyone, let alone a young man of just 26. The Grosvenor Group, a property management company, operated on behalf of The Duke of Westminster and his family, is estimated to have a control asset with a total value of £45.5billion.
The Duke, who succeeded his father in on 9 August 2016 when the 6th Duke died suddenly of a heart attack, originally inherited about £9.32billion upon his father’s death – not including an impressive property portfolio that includes the family seat Eaton Hall as well as Eaton Square in Belgravia and Grosvenor Crescent in the borough of Westminster (where, according to The Guardian, home prices averaged £16.9million in 2014, making it the most expensive street in Britain).
This recent increase in wealth has seen the Duke’s placement on the Sunday Time’s Rich List bump up, landing him as the ninth richest person in the world. The Duke has been used to having the best of the best throughout his entire life and reportedly ushered in his 21st birthday with a party costing a whopping £5million.
Hugh Grosvenor was born on 29 January 1991, the third child (of four) and only son of Gerald Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster, and his wife, Natalia Phillips. At the time of Natalia’s marriage to the 6th Duke, there were four Duchesses of Westminster living – herself, her mother-in-law (Viola Lyttelton), Sally Perry (wife of the 4th Duke who died childless), and Anne Sullivan (the 4th wife of the 2nd Duke). The Duke was educated at a local state primary school, along with his sisters, before moving on to Mostyn House School. From 2000 to 2009 he attended Ellesmere College and then went on to Newcastle University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in countryside management. As one of the largest landowners in the UK, his degree will certainly be put to good use.
Hugh, who was named as one of Prince George’s godparents in 2013, is said to be dating his former Ellesmere classmate Harriet Tomlinson. The pair is said to have been close friends throughout their time at Ellesmere and remained close as they went off to different universities before kindling their romantic relationship earlier this year.
Five million pounds sterling for a birthday party. Shame on him.
It is extravagant – but I always think that events like these mean many people are being employed from bakers to bar staff, cleaners to caterers, printers etc – small businesses being kept afloat. I’m all for letting him spend it – the Westminster family do lots of good work and have a highly philanthropic ethic so good for them.
It’s his money. Heaven knows he has more than he’ll ever need or spend. I had heard his late father was a fairly generous chap. I’m not opposed to wealth per se. But I do think those who are lucky enough to have it – and there is always a good deal of luck involved at least in the beginning – have a duty to share that wealth. Particularly when they have SO much. But that’s a matter of their personal conscience. I think the best part of being so terribly wealthy is being able to help the genuinely needy who have not enjoyed any such luck.