The Bustillo family is a prominent family in El Salvador, with a fortune made in the construction and real estate industries. Their company, Construcciones Bustillo, is one of the largest construction companies in the country. The family's net worth is estimated to be over $700 million.
The Krietes were the masterminds behind the creation of , which later merged with Avianca. Although the airline faced turbulence, the Kriete family pivoted to logistics, airport services, and industrial engineering. Through Grupo Aviatech and Kriete Aviation Holding , they maintain a monopoly on air cargo and technical maintenance in the region. They are known as the "Kings of the Sky" in Central America.
Another pillars of the traditional coffee aristocracy, the Regalado family (descendants of former President Tomás Regalado) adapted to the modern economy by dominating the agro-industrial sector. Through , they control a massive share of El Salvador's sugar production and refining industry, alongside energy-generation projects derived from sugarcane biomass. 6. The Murray Meza Family 14 richest families in el salvador
The Simán family is synonymous with retail in Central America, having founded the region's largest department store chain, , in 1921. What began as a small fabric shop in San Salvador has grown into a regional retail powerhouse with over a century of history. The family's fortune, with assets nearing $1.74 billion , has also diversified into other sectors through Grupo Simán , which has regional investments in sectors including real estate and distribution.
As of April 2026, the traditional agro-export families have largely evolved into heads of massive diversified conglomerates. Below is an overview of the families and groups that historically and currently define El Salvador’s economic landscape. The Bustillo family is a prominent family in
A small, elite class of indigenous landowners and European immigrants quickly consolidated these newly privatized, highly fertile volcanic lands. This era established El Salvador as a "Coffee Republic", where the state was essentially run like a private plantation. The economic elite controlled:
: A leading group in commerce and industry since the mid-20th century. The Krietes were the masterminds behind the creation
While they are primarily known for their current political dominance under President Nayib Bukele, the family has strong roots in business and industrial manufacturing in the San Salvador area.
This family controls several offshore manufacturing plants ("Maquilas"). They own the largest plastic injection molding factory in Central America, supplying parts to Hasbro, Mattel, and automotive companies in the US. They also have deep, hidden stakes in offshore banking.
Crucially, they survived the 1979–1992 civil war by funding both sides—eventually supporting the ARENA party that halted land redistribution. Today, despite President Nayib Bukele’s anti-oligarch rhetoric, these families remain largely untouched. Their wealth is no longer in visible plantations; it is in Miami real estate, Swiss numbered accounts, and Delaware LLCs.