Secret societies are always so interesting because there is not a lot of information about them because, obviously, they're a secret. There are a lot of conspiracy theories on these type of organizations but, first, let's define what a secret society is.
A secret society is said to be an organization that hides its activities, events and inner functioning from non-members. It is unsure what the qualifications are for calling a group a secret society.
According to Business Insider, some secret societies are actually not as secret as one might think. Yale's "landed societies" are known for meeting in tombs or halls.
These Yale societies are registered with the IRS as charitable organizations. They are also legally required to file public tax information because they are 501(c)(3) organizations.
The publication listed down these secret, super-elite societies according to their wealth. The data was taken from tax forms by the organizations from 2014.
1. Scroll and Key - $10,771,828
This society was founded in 1842. Its notable alumni are CNN news anchor and columnist Fareed Zakaria and "Dateline NBC" anchor Stone Phillips.
2. Wolf's Head - $6,845,255
Founded in 1883, it is known for tapping the "prep school" type. It was the last all-male society. Female members were allowed in 1992.
3. Book and Snake - $5,619,120
Notable alumni from this society are Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Charles Rivkin, the current US assistant secretary of state for economic and business affairs. It was founded in 1863.
4. Elizabethan Club - $4,280,963
A self-described social club, this organization's members dedicate their time to discussing arts and literature of the Elizabethan era. It was founded in 1911.
5. Skull and Bones - $4,129,936
Skull and Bones may be the most popular Yale secret society. Its notable alumni are former US Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush and US Secretary of State John Kerry, among others. It was founded in 1832.
6. Berzelius - $1,945,346
It was founded in 1848. One of its notable alumni is Bill DeWitt III, president of the St. Louis Cardinals.
7. St. Elmo - $90,472
HBO's "Girls" actress Allison Williams and former US Attorney General John Ashcroft are some of this organization's notable alumni. It was founded in 1889.
