The global economy is significantly influenced by billionaires, many of whom are tech moguls with vast holdings in their respective companies. With their immense wealth, these individuals wield tremendous influence over politics, philanthropy, and market trends. According to the latest data from Forbes and Bloomberg, the world currently has 2,781 billionaires, with the wealthiest person being Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Below is an updated list of the top 10 richest man in the world.
Key Takeaways:
- Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, remains the richest person in the world, with a net worth of $269 billion.
- Eight of the top 10 billionaires made their fortunes in technology.
- The list features prominent figures from the U.S., with the exception of Bernard Arnault of LVMH.
For a more comprehensive look at the world’s billionaires, including emerging tycoons, check out Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires List.
1. Elon Musk
- Age: 53
- Residence: United States
- Co-founder & CEO: Tesla
- Net Worth: $269 billion
- Tesla Ownership Stake: 13% ($106 billion)
- Other Assets: SpaceX, X (formerly Twitter), Neuralink, and The Boring Company
Elon Musk, born in South Africa, is a leading innovator in multiple fields, including electric vehicles, space exploration, and social media. He rose to fame after founding Zip2 and selling it to Compaq. Musk has since become the world’s wealthiest man and an icon in the tech industry. His recent acquisition of X for $44 billion only adds to his impressive portfolio.
You can read more about Elon Musk’s entrepreneurial journey here.
2. Jeff Bezos
- Age: 60
- Residence: United States
- Founder & Executive Chair: Amazon
- Net Worth: $208 billion
- Amazon Ownership Stake: 9% ($172 billion)
The founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos transformed a simple online bookstore into a retail and cloud-computing empire. Despite stepping down as CEO in 2021, Bezos remains deeply involved in the company and continues to invest in other ventures, such as Blue Origin and The Washington Post.
Check out more about Amazon’s incredible growth in this Amazon success story.
3. Mark Zuckerberg
- Age: 40
- Residence: United States
- CEO & Chair: Meta Platforms
- Net Worth: $204 billion
- Meta Ownership Stake: 13% ($199 billion)
Mark Zuckerberg founded Facebook (now Meta) while still a student at Harvard University. Since its inception, Meta has grown to include popular brands such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus. Zuckerberg is also known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, which aims to address major societal issues.
For a closer look at Zuckerberg’s life and Meta’s vision for the future, read more here.
4. Bernard Arnault
- Age: 75
- Residence: France
- CEO & Chair: LVMH
- Net Worth: $195 billion
- LVMH Ownership Stake: 48% ($177 billion)
Bernard Arnault is the only non-American billionaire in the top 10 list. As the CEO of LVMH, he oversees brands such as Louis Vuitton, Hennessey, and Sephora. Arnault’s career began in construction before he ventured into luxury goods, making LVMH the world’s largest luxury goods company.
Explore LVMH’s iconic brands here.
5. Larry Ellison
- Age: 80
- Residence: United States
- Co-founder & CTO: Oracle
- Net Worth: $180 billion
- Oracle Ownership Stake: 42% ($140 billion)
Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison is known for revolutionizing the database software industry. His leadership transformed Oracle into one of the world’s largest software companies, providing cloud solutions and various enterprise applications. Ellison has also made headlines for his philanthropic contributions, particularly to medical research.
Learn more about Oracle’s innovative tech solutions here.
6. Bill Gates
- Age: 68
- Residence: United States
- Co-founder: Microsoft
- Net Worth: $163 billion
- Microsoft Ownership Stake: 1% ($27.2 billion)
Bill Gates co-founded Microsoft, which remains a dominant player in software and cloud services. Although he stepped down from the company’s board in 2020, Gates continues to focus on philanthropy, particularly through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has committed billions to health and education initiatives around the world.
For more about Bill Gates’ philanthropic efforts, visit the Gates Foundation.
7. Larry Page
- Age: 51
- Residence: United States
- Co-founder & Board Member: Alphabet
- Net Worth: $151 billion
- Alphabet Ownership Stake: 6% ($130.7 billion)
Larry Page co-founded Google in 1998 alongside Sergey Brin. Google’s search engine quickly dominated the market, and the company’s diversification into products like YouTube and Android cemented its global presence. Page’s wealth is largely tied to Alphabet, Google’s parent company, where he remains an influential board member.
Explore Google’s journey from startup to tech giant here.
8. Steve Ballmer
- Age: 68
- Residence: United States
- Owner: Los Angeles Clippers
- Net Worth: $146 billion
- Microsoft Ownership Stake: 4% ($134 billion)
Steve Ballmer served as Microsoft’s CEO from 2000 to 2014 and has since invested heavily in sports, owning the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers. Ballmer’s bold decisions at Microsoft helped shape the tech landscape, particularly with acquisitions like Skype and the development of hardware like the Surface line of products.
Check out how Ballmer’s Clippers continue to shape LA’s sports scene here.
9. Warren Buffett
- Age: 94
- Residence: United States
- CEO: Berkshire Hathaway
- Net Worth: $144 billion
- Berkshire Hathaway Ownership Stake: 15% ($142 billion)
Warren Buffett, often referred to as the “Oracle of Omaha,” is the world’s most famous value investor. Through his holding company, Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett has built a diverse portfolio that includes insurance, railroads, and consumer goods. Despite his immense wealth, Buffett is a known philanthropist, having pledged to give away most of his fortune.
For more on Buffett’s investment strategies, read this in-depth article.
10. Sergey Brin
- Age: 51
- Residence: United States
- Co-founder & Board Member: Alphabet
- Net Worth: $142 billion
- Alphabet Ownership Stake: 6% ($121.9 billion)
Sergey Brin co-founded Google alongside Larry Page and played a critical role in developing the company’s technology. Now focused on philanthropy and investing, Brin continues to shape the future of tech through his involvement with Alphabet.
Read more about Sergey Brin’s journey from Moscow to Silicon Valley here.
For more about the wealthiest people globally, you can also check out Bloomberg’s Richest man in the World.
