Answer · confidence: partial

Which famous rich people get called Freemasons most, and who confirmed it?

Research question: Which famous wealthy people are most often claimed to be Freemasons online, and has any lodge, family, or biographer confirmed those claims?

The records show that Silvio Berlusconi was on the P2 lodge's membership list in 1981, before he entered politics ¹⁵. Winston Churchill is listed as initiated into Studholme Lodge No. 1591, and that entry, from a Freemasonry wiki, cites the United Grand Lodge of England ³. The facts do not show which wealthy people are most often claimed online to be Freemasons, or whether any family or biographer has confirmed such claims, so the question is only partly answered ¹³. The newest fact is dated June 28, 2026, about four months before October 2026 ².

Checked 2026-10-18. Only documented and supported facts are used.

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Sources

[1] supported

Silvio Berlusconi, who had not yet entered politics, was on the membership list of the P2 lodge.

"Le futur président du Conseil Silvio Berlusconi , qui n’était pas encore entré en politique, était sur cette liste."

Propaganda Due

[2] supported

The guide on Founding Fathers who were Freemasons says some were Masons, like Washington and Franklin, but most were not.

"Were the Founding Fathers Freemasons? Some were, like Washington and Franklin, but most were not."

Famous Masons - American Freemasons

[3] supported

Winston Churchill is listed as initiated into Studholme Lodge No. 1591, a lodge now called United Studholme Alliance Lodge, and the entry cites the United Grand Lodge of England.

"Initiated in Studholme Lodge No. 1591 on 24 May 1901; the lodge is now called United Studholme Alliance Lodge."

Famous Freemasons - Freemasonry Wiki

[4] supported

Victor Emmanuel, son of the last king of Italy, also appeared on the P2 membership list.

"Victor Emmanuel , le fils du dernier roi d’Italie , y figurait également."

Propaganda Due

[5] supported

A membership list of the P2 lodge was seized during a search of Licio Gelli's villa in Arezzo in March 1981 and contained 962 names.

"Une liste de membres de la loge a été découverte dans la villa de Gelli à Arezzo lors d’une perquisition en mars 1981 et contenait 962 noms"

Propaganda Due

[6] supported

The names of Silvio Berlusconi and the heir to the Italian throne appeared in the lodge's membership lists alongside the heads of Italy's three intelligence services.

"Les noms de Silvio Berlusconi , de l' héritier du trône d’Italie et des chefs des trois branches des services secrets italiens sont notamment apparus dans les listes de membres de la loge."

Propaganda Due