AT the age of 25, Hugh Grosvenor became a billionaire with an estimated fortune of £9billion.
Now worth over £10billion, the seventh Duke of Westminster and his family rank as the 12th richest in the whole country, according to The Celeb Reportday Times Rich List.
Hugh Grosvenor became one of the richest men in the country before the age of 30
Hugh has been described as the UK’s most eligible bachelor
As the head of a property empire that has swept up more than 1,500 buildings around the world – including the entirety of Park Lane and half of Mayfair – Hugh, 31, is often described as owning ‘half of London’.
And his close relationship with royals like Prince William, Prince Harry and Kate Middleton has also seen him dubbed the ‘UK’s most eligible bachelor’.
His father was the late Queen‘s 14th cousin once removed and a mentor to William at the request of Her Majesty, according to reports.
In fact, in 2013 Hugh became the godfather of the Prince of Wales’s eldest child, Prince George.
Much like his royal pal Harry, the duke has enjoyed a party or two in his time – and like any young lad, he’s been snapped in a few pictures he’d rather forget.
Here, we take a look at the life of the billionaire and how he became one of the richest men in the UK before the age of 30.
£5m birthday bash with A-list guests
Before inheriting his father’s fortune Hugh enjoyed the occasional boozy party
Like any young man, the duke has a few snaps he’d rather forget
Hugh became the 7th Duke of Westminster in 2016 after his father, Major General Gerald Grosvenor, sadly passed away from a heart attack aged 64.
Before that, he was known as Earl Grosvenor and enjoyed a gilded life in London before going to study at Newcastle University.
For his 21st birthday in 2012, his father splashed a whopping £5million on a lavish bash with high-profile guests including Prince Harry.
The do was held in the gardens of Eaton Hall, the family’s country estate in Cheshire, and saw performances from the likes of comedian Michael McIntyre and hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks.
His 800 guests had access to free-flowing champagne and were treated to a light show at the stroke of midnight.
Clearly impressed with the shindig, the duke said at the time: “The party was simply amazing – a birthday and a party I will never forget.
“It is the beginning of a new era in my life and I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead.”
Several pictures taken around that era show Hugh partying with a string of girls and goofing around with pals.
Another snap awkwardly showed him having a good time with friends alongside up a blow-up doll on a skiing holiday.
The duke is close to Princes William and Harry
Hugh had on-off relationship with Harriet Tomlinson for years
Whilst he’s kept his current relationship status under wraps, it has previously been reported that Hugh was in an on-off relationship with Harriet Tomlinson for several years.
The pair met at college and split up, only to get back together on numerous occasions.
According to reports, the “besotted” billionaire whisked her off on a number of romantic getaways, including a mini break to California where they stayed at the plush Ventana resort.
However, it is not known if they are still together.
Billionaire’s empire
Hugh took over his father’s title and fortune after his death in 2016
The 11,500-acre Eaton Estate, the Grosvenor’s family home
When he inherited his title, Hugh also inherited his family’s huge financial legacy, which made him the third richest person in Britain at the time.
The Grosvenors originally made their fortune from mining, before turning their eye to the property world.
Today, their business, The Grosvenor Group, has a presence in over 62 international cities, with assets including Liverpool ONE shopping centre and Grosvenor Square in London.
Although Hugh is the third child of Gerald and Natalia Grosvenor, ancient laws meant that as the first son, he inherited the bulk of the fortune over his older sisters.
His portfolio includes the family seat, the 11,500-acre Eaton Estate, and the 23,500-acre Abbeystead shooting estate in Lancashire.
In addition, he owns Reay Forest in Sutherland, Scotland, home to a raft of beautiful mountains and thousands of wild deer.
The Duke of Westminster owns the 23,500-acre Abbeystead Estate in the forest of Bowland
Hugh pictured with his mother, Natalia Grosvenor, as they holiday with friends in Portofino, Italy
If he needs a holiday, he can retreat to his 37,000-acre plot, the Finca La Garganta estate, in rural Cordoba near Seville, Spain.
William and Harry have known to be occasional visitors, passing the time by hunting for wild boar and deer.
Previously, Hugh has also been snapped taking a break in Portofino, Italy, where he chilled out with friends and his mum on a boat.
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Over his life, however, the duke has admirably refrained from flaunting his cash, opting instead to show his philanthropic side.
In April 2020, Hugh donated millions of pounds to support the Government’s response to the pandemic.
As the only son of his parents, he became the heir to their vast fortune following his birth
The duke is now one of the most powerful people in the country
His family developed Belgravia in Central London
