Home >
'Succession' returns for a fourth a final season in March 2023. The family, which is may be based on Rupert Murdoch's family, is worth a fortune.
Mar. 20 2023, Updated 11:23 a.m. ET
In this article
- The Roys are one percenters.
- Is 'Succession' based on a particular family?
- Who is the richest in 'Succession'?
They may just be characters, but the Roy family is real in our hearts. The fictional Succession family returns to HBO for a fourth and final season on March 26, 2023, and viewers are ready to see if tech visionary Lukas Matsson (played by Alexander Skarsgård) successfully acquires Waystar Royco. Fans are also quite eager to find out how the sale will impact the Roy family unit.
Article continues below advertisem*nt
Article continues below advertisem*nt
Ahead of season four, watchers are wondering: How much is Succession's fictional Roy family worth? While the value of the family's media and entertainment company has been in flux since season 1, we can work out some rough numbers.
Here's a look at how much the Roy family might be worth and which character is the richest.
The Roys are one percenters.
Helicopters for day trips, boar hunting corporate retreats, a fully-staffed yacht—the Roys have it all. But as any viewer knows, things aren't always what they seem.
Article continues below advertisem*nt
Still, the Roys are undoubtedly in the one percent in terms of wealth. This is thanks to Logan Roy's media conglomerate, Waystar Royco. Despite coming from impoverished beginnings in Scotland, Roy moved to Canada and then New York to start his highly successful career.
The Final Season.#Succession premieres March 26 on @HBOMax. pic.twitter.com/Tp9QPR0a0N
— Succession (@succession) March 2, 2023
Article continues below advertisem*nt
Article continues below advertisem*nt
Is 'Succession' based on a particular family?
According to reports, the Roys are based on the real-life Murdoch family. Rupert Murdoch is a media conglomerate executive who owns Fox News and Gannett. He has a $7.69 billion net worth as of March 2023 and his entire family reaps the benefits. In fact, a 2019 Disney deal left Murdoch's six children with a collective $12 billion to their names.
If the Succession family is based off of the Murdochs, they would speculatively have a similar net worth.
In Succession, Logan Roy has not yet sold his enterprise Wayster Royco (his stake is a reported 36 percent), though a sale appears to be in the works for season four. That sets him apart from Murdoch in that he's not sitting in that liquidity, but he could easily have a sizable net worth upwards of $20 billion.
Of that, about $345 million sits in real estate, including Roy’s $52 million townhouse located on New York’s Fifth Avenue, according to Forbes.
Article continues below advertisem*nt
Logan Roy
Fictional owner and founder of Waystar Royco
Net worth: $20 billion
The Roy family may not be real, but Succession viewers suspect they're based on the real-life Murdoch family. When compared to Rupert Murdoch, fictional media conglomerate owner Logan Roy has a presumed net worth upwards of $20 billion.
- Children: Connor Roy, Kendall Roy, Roman Roy, Shiv Roy
- Marriages: Marcia Roy (third wife), Caroline Collingwood (second wife, mother to Kendall, Roman, and Shiv)
- Company: Waystar Royco
Article continues below advertisem*nt
Although many assume Roy's children survive off the fortune their father built, they have put in some work that entitles them to a piece of the pie. Kendall has remained an active member of the company, constantly trying to work his way up in rank. As for Shiv, she once held a career in in liberal politics, though that changed after she was offered a high-ranking position at Waystar Royco.
Article continues below advertisem*nt
Like his siblings, Roman also plays an active role in keeping Waystar Royco operating, though he too desires to become CEO. Connor, on the other hand, sets himself apart from the family and and focuses him time on hobbies.
Who is the richest in 'Succession'?
Main actors in the Succession TV show receive about $300,000 per episode. Brian Cox, who plays patriarch Logan Roy, earns upwards of $500,000 per episode.
Article continues below advertisem*nt
Article continues below advertisem*nt
Cox has the highest estimated net worth of his fellow actors, totaling about $15 million. Alan Ruck, who plays Connor Roy, maintains a $10 million net worth. Kieran Culkin, who plays Roman Roy and is the real-life younger brother of McCauley Culkin, has a $5 million net worth. Jeremy Strong (Kendall Roy) and Sarah Snook (Shiv Roy) have about a $4 million net worth each.
Article continues below advertisem*nt
While the team of actors may not have as much money as their fictional Succession characters, they're doing pretty well for themselves.
Heading into season four, Succession watchers will have to wait and see whether the Roy family maintains ownership of Waystar Royco. According to HBO's description of the season, "The prospect of this seismic sale provokes existential angst and familial division among the Roys as they anticipate what their lives will look like once the deal is complete."
