The World’s Most Exclusive Clubs and Secret Societies

The need to be part of something "bigger" is ingrained in our psychological makeup and is often the driving force behind how we function. According to psychologists, this desire is a fundamental part of human nature. This is perhaps why people have created clubs and organizations for centuries: that desire to belong and feel important.

From an early age, many of us have taken part in clubs – whether team sports or other organizations like the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, chess club, glee club, and church groups. However, most of us will likely never be invited to the most exclusive organizations ever created. To gain entry, you would likely need to beat incredible odds.

Many of these organizations have existed for centuries, while others were formed as recently as the 1990s. In most cases, members of these clubs are very wealthy or incredibly influential in the world of banking, business, or politics.

To determine the most exclusive, elite organizations ever created, 24/7 Tempo researched near and far and turned over many stones. Much of this research was accomplished by educational websites, including the Smithsonian, National Geographic, and History.com.

This post was updated on October 14, 2025 to clarify certain society/organization origins, Free Mason headquarters/membership, CFR operations, details of Bohemian Club, banning of the Illuminati, the meaning of 322 in Skull and Bones, and the founder of Core Club.

• Year Founded: Modern Freemasonry traces to 1717 (Grand Lodge of London). Its antecedents were medieval stonemasons' guilds.
• Still Active: Yes
• Headquarters: Freemasonry is decentralized; there is no global HQ.

When exclusive organizations are mentioned, the Freemasons likely come to mind. This elite organization is among the oldest groups in the history of the world still in existence.

The group members don't always go out of their way to stay hidden; some wear large rings and display secret handshakes. In order to join, potential members must first petition a local lodge and obtain recommendations from current Masons. Members must also believe in a Supreme Being.

The original starting date of the Freemasons is a bit hazy but it's believed that they have been around since early biblical times, many years before the birth of Jesus Christ. The idea of the group was to honor God, and today, all of the members consider God to be the Grand Architect of the Universe, even if they have different religions. For many years the group was more secretive than they are today, but it's still an honor to be a member.

• Year Founded: 1921
• Still Active: Yes
• Headquarters: New York, NY

The Council on Foreign Relations is a large and powerful private organization whose mission is to influence the United States on all things related to foreign affairs. The group is also associated with J.D. Rockefeller and J.P. Morgan.

The Council conducts meetings, studies, task forces, and publications (Foreign Affairs), during which American business professionals and foreign leaders discuss important topics for the betterment of the world. Membership is highly selective; applicants are typically U.S. citizens/permanent residents with significant credentials.

The Council was founded in 1921 by members of "The Inquiry" to promote informed U.S. foreign policy after Wilson's term. The idea was to bring together experts on science, education, industry, finance, and statecraft so they could help the country thrive. The Council is still around today and continues to advise and work with heads of state.

• Year Founded: 1872
• Still Active: Yes
• Headquarters: San Francisco, CA

Next on our list of the most exclusive elite organizations ever created is the Bohemian Club. This is a very prominent yet private club that's still in operation. However, unlike many other groups on this list, it's less about conducting business and influencing others and more about artistic expression.

Each year, the club hosts an exclusive two-week camp, and members can watch performances, including the "Cremation of Care" ceremony, which many past members say is a symbolic effigy ritual. Members are from several different backgrounds, from politics to arts to business.

When the Bohemian Club began all those years ago, it was a collection of artistic talent. The idea was to get together, create art, and celebrate each other's work. The motto of the club was "Weaving Spiders Come Not Here," which is a reference to Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

• Year Founded: 1776
• Still Active: N
• Headquarters: Bavaria

Another one of the most exclusive elite organizations that first comes to mind for many is The Illuminati. While there have been many alleged variations, the primary rumor revolves around a group of wealthy and powerful citizens who seek to control the world.

Though the historical Bavarian Illuminati is no longer around, many people believe a modern version of the Illuminati still functions, manipulating the American people politically. However, these claims are conspiracy lore; there is no proof that the group still exists.

The real Illuminati was an organization that was founded in Bavaria by Professor Adam Weishaupt, a former Jesuit novice. The idea was to cast aside religion and present a new form of illumination through enlightened rationalism.

The organization did well until it was stamped out by Duke Karl Theodor, who banned the order (and secret societies) in the 1780s; harsh penalties and dissolution followed. However, whisperings of the organization's existence continue to persist.

• Year Founded: 1997
• Still Active: Yes
• Headquarters: Big Sky, Montana

The Yellowstone Club is an ultra-elite private ski and golf community. It was designed as a members-only getaway where guests can enjoy skiing, golf, and outdoor pursuits like fishing and hiking, fine dining, and spas and wellness.

To gain access to this club, you must buy a house in the area. The problem is that all of them cost at least four million dollars. The idea is that members can enjoy this place without distractions from the outside world and truly unwind. Altogether, the club offers 13,600 acres of enjoyment.

One of the most exclusive elite organizations ever created came to be when lumber baron Tim Blixseth wanted to create an oasis for people in the area. He retained the help of highly-regarded golf course designers, ski filmmakers, and Olympic skiers to help make the place a reality.

They also built the Warren Miller Lodge, a 140,000-square-foot compound where guests can play basketball and watch movies. There's also a special area for kids. From the beginning, the goal was to only allow a maximum of 864 members. At the time of this writing, there are 460.

• Year Founded: 1795
• Still Active: Yes
• Headquarters: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)

The Orange Order is a Protestant fraternal order known for public parades. Members are expected to accept the Principles of Reformation and have loyalty to their country. There are currently chapters of this club in Ireland and other nations around the world. It's more of a social club rather than a group that influences global policies.

The Orange Order was named after Prince William III, who was the Prince of Orange. It was created after the Battle of the Diamond, which took place outside of Northern Ireland, to protect Protestants. Creating the group was a bold move considering there was a law against secret societies in Ireland at the time.

Several people, including Lord Lieutenant of Ireland George William Frederick Villiers, were scolded for speaking kindly about the organization.

• Year Founded: 1832
• Still Active: Yes
• Headquarters: Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut

This organization, which still exists, is technically a secret society of current and former students at Yale University. Every year, it's believed that 15 seniors at the school are asked to join the Skull and Bones, and their names are even published to the public.

The members all meet in The Tomb, but what they do there is unknown because the members are sworn to secrecy. Some of the most famous members of the Skull and Bones include former presidents George W and George H.W. Bush, the founder of TIME magazine, and several members of the CIA, among others.

Like most of the other most exclusive elite organizations ever created, Skull and Bones started a long time ago in 1832. It was co-founded by William Huntington Russell and Alphonso Taft, who were inspired by an occult society in Germany. They started adding members soon after.

The group is also famous for its symbol, the skull and bones which has the number 322 written under it. The true meaning of the symbol is unclear, but it may refer to Demosthenes' death in 322 BC.

• Year Founded: 1864
• Still Active: Yes
• Headquarters: Washington D.C.

The idea of this organization is to foster an idea of brotherly love for men in America. This is a group that is taken rather seriously and was even chartered by an act of Congress. Their colors are red, yellow, and blue. Yellow signifies charity, blue is friendship, and red is benevolence.

The group was formed by government employee Justus H. Rathbone in 1864 during the middle of the Civil War. He didn't like what was going on in the country so he started this organization to foster brotherly love.

The group was named after Damon and Pythias, which is a Pythagorean ideal of friendship. All of the founding members were government employees, which no doubt helped them to be chartered by Congress.

• Year Founded: 1974
• Still Active: Yes
• Headquarters: St Moritz, Switzerland

Another of the most exclusive elite organizations ever created is The Dracula Club, which is a social club where business tycoons, celebrities, and Swiss bankers gather to relax and socialize. Access to the club is very hard to come by as the attendees have a lifetime membership and can only invite people as their guests.

There's a strict dress code. Men must wear formal jackets and women wear couture. The group remains secret because smartphones are banned, and taking photos is strictly prohibited.

The Dracula Club was started in 1974 by art collector Gunter Sachs. He wanted a place where powerful and successful people could meet and hang out without worrying about distraction or nuisance. Many members joined then and remain lifetime members. This is one of the very few elite leisure havens in all of Europe.

• Year Founded: 1954
• Still Active: Yes
• Headquarters: N/A (annual conference takes place in The Netherlands)

The original idea of the Bilderberg group was to engage people from North America and Europe to create warmer relations between both continents, especially when an anti-Americanism movement was growing in Europe. Though anti-Americanism doesn't exist so much in Europe anymore, the group still aims to continue a progressive relationship.

It's not a secret society, but you need to be pretty important to receive an invitation. Previous guests include Margaret Thatcher, Bill Clinton, and Henry Kissinger. While we know the general idea behind the group, the true details of what occurs behind closed doors are mostly kept secret.

The Bilderberg group was first created by Netherlands's Prince Bernhard in 1954, with the initial meeting taking place at Hotel de Bilderberg in the Netherlands. Guests are invite-only, selected by an international committee.

Over 120 people are invited each year, with one-third coming from North America and two-thirds from Europe. While it's mostly politicians who are invited, there are also members with backgrounds in academia, media, and finance.

• Year Founded: 1834
• Still Active: Yes
• Headquarters: Southampton, United Kingdom

Though not the most secretive of the most exclusive elite organizations ever created, the Ancient Order of the Foresters is still important, especially for its working-class members. Technically, the group is more of an insurance company that provides insurance and does a lot of charitable work around the world while also insuring its members. However, it's still considered an elite group.

When the organization was created in 1834, it was before state health insurance was available in England. The group was made to allow working-class people to get insurance and sick benefits.

Other countries were included in the brotherhood, but some, including the Canadian and American branches, left and started the Independent Order of the Foresters. To join, potential members had to pass a physical exam which was administered by a physician who was also a member.

• Year Founded: 2005
• Still Active: Yes
• Headquarters: New York, NY

The Core Club is a very exclusive organization in New York that calls itself the "anti-club." Unlike many other groups on this list, there is no special dress code, you can use your phone, and you can talk about almost everything. There are a couple of things that make it elite.

Membership costs $50,000 and then there's a $15,000 fee every year after. The club is discreetly located somewhere in New York. Members include high-profile business and cultural leaders.

The Core Club was founded by Jennie Enterprise (with partner Avi Arad as an early backer) in 2005, and it began on 66 East 55th Street in Manhattan. Her background was in creating Reebok Sports Clubs before she started Core. Since the first Core opened, other locations have joined the family in Milano and San Francisco.

The idea of the club is for successful people to exchange ideas while also enjoying speeches from global leaders, private concerts, and more. While you're in New York, take time to check out the American Museum of Natural History, which is one of the must-visit museums in every state.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©U.S. Department of the Treasury, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.