Sci-Fi novel from 70s? Rich men adopt boys as sole heir; transfer minds into them. Howard Hughes involved. Reporters find out. “Children” in title?

The Children by Charles Robertson

THE CHILDREN

You might meet them anywhere. In the subway. On a plane. In your bedroom. So innocent in their blue schoolboy blazers. So angelic with their bright faces.

THE CHILDREN

Do not be deceived. They are the sons of wealth and power. And behind their shining eyes lurk cold, murderous hearts.

THE CHILDREN

They are the weapons in a secret army. They might be anywhere from New York to Houston to Switzerland. They are waiting. For you.

THE CHILDREN

Mark Chandler, tough reporter. Shelley James, top TV anchorwoman. Media stars, competitors, lovers. They have stumbled on the hottest, most dangerous story of this year or any year. They are the only two people on earth who can stop...

THE CHILDREN

Howard Hughes gets mentioned in this review:

An 11 year old has his brain written over with the brainwaves of Howard Hughes and now he walks around Manhattan in his private school uniform shooting people who might reveal his dark secret in the face.

Found with a search for science fiction novel "howard hughes" brain transplant, which turned up this article, which led to me searching for the novel's title and finding the Goodreads entry.