As a hedge fund manager who’s spent years navigating the tumultuous waters of global finance, I’ve witnessed firsthand the ebb and flow of fortunes. But even in this high-stakes world, the sheer magnitude of wealth accumulated by the individuals on this list never ceases to amaze me. The year 2024 has brought some fascinating shifts in the landscape of extreme wealth, and I’m excited to share my insights on the top 10 richest people in the world based on data from the Real-Time Billionaires List.
In my line of work, we often dissect the strategies and decisions that lead to such astronomical net worths. It’s not just about the numbers – though, trust me, these figures are staggering – it’s about the vision, innovation, and sometimes sheer audacity that propels these individuals to the pinnacle of global wealth.
From tech titans who’ve reshaped our digital landscape to retail revolutionaries and investment gurus, this list represents a diverse array of industries and approaches to wealth creation. As we dive into the stories behind these fortunes, we’ll explore not just the numbers, but the journeys, strategies, and pivotal moments that have defined these billionaires’ paths to success.
1. Elon Musk – $304 billion
Elon Musk, the South African-born entrepreneur, has cemented his position as the world’s wealthiest individual with a staggering net worth of $304 billion. Musk’s fortune is primarily tied to his leadership roles and significant stakes in multiple groundbreaking companies. As the CEO and largest shareholder of Tesla, the electric vehicle and clean energy company, Musk has seen his wealth skyrocket alongside Tesla’s stock price in recent years.
Beyond Tesla, Musk is also the founder and CEO of SpaceX, the private space exploration company that has revolutionized the aerospace industry. His other ventures include Neuralink, a neurotechnology company, and The Boring Company, which focuses on infrastructure and tunnel construction. In 2022, Musk added social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to his portfolio after a high-profile $44 billion acquisition.
Musk’s journey to becoming the world’s richest person has been marked by bold vision and relentless innovation. Born in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1971, Musk showed an early aptitude for technology, creating and selling a video game at age 12. After moving to North America, he co-founded PayPal, which was sold to eBay in 2002, providing him with the capital to pursue his more ambitious projects.
2. Larry Ellison – $230.7 billion
Larry Ellison, the co-founder, executive chairman, and CTO of Oracle Corporation, has seen his net worth surge to $230.7 billion, securing him the second spot on the list of the world’s wealthiest individuals. Ellison’s fortune has experienced a significant boost, with a recent $15 billion jump as Oracle’s stock reached an all-time high.
Born in New York City in 1944, Ellison’s path to becoming a tech titan began when he dropped out of the University of Chicago and moved to California. In 1977, he co-founded Software Development Laboratories, which later became Oracle Corporation. Under Ellison’s leadership, Oracle grew into one of the largest and most influential software companies in the world, specializing in database management systems.
Ellison’s wealth is not solely tied to Oracle. He has made substantial investments in other tech companies, including a significant stake in Tesla. Known for his lavish lifestyle, Ellison owns extensive real estate, including the Hawaiian island of Lanai. Despite stepping down as Oracle’s CEO in 2014, he remains actively involved in the company as executive chairman and CTO, continuing to shape its strategic direction.
3. Jeff Bezos – $224.5 billion
According to the Real-Time Billionaires List, Jeff Bezos, the founder and executive chairman of Amazon, holds the third position among the world’s wealthiest individuals with a net worth of $224.5 billion. Bezos’s fortune is primarily derived from his substantial stake in Amazon, the e-commerce and cloud computing giant he founded in 1994.
Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1964, Bezos displayed entrepreneurial spirit from a young age. After graduating from Princeton University, he worked on Wall Street before leaving a promising career to start Amazon from his garage. What began as an online bookstore rapidly expanded into the world’s largest e-commerce platform, revolutionizing retail and digital services.
Beyond Amazon, Bezos has diversified his investments and ventures. He owns The Washington Post, which he acquired in 2013 for $250 million. Bezos is also the founder of Blue Origin, a space exploration company that reflects his long-standing interest in space travel. His investment portfolio includes stakes in various companies through his venture capital firm, Bezos Expeditions.
Bezos briefly held the title of the world’s richest person before being surpassed by Musk and Ellison. Despite stepping down as Amazon’s CEO in 2021, he remains executive chairman and continues to play a significant role in the company’s strategic decisions.
4. Mark Zuckerberg – $203.8 billion
Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder, CEO, and controlling shareholder of Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook), has amassed a fortune of $203.8 billion, securing his position as the fourth richest person in the world. Zuckerberg’s wealth is primarily tied to his significant stake in Meta, which encompasses popular social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Born in White Plains, New York, in 1984, Zuckerberg displayed an early aptitude for computer programming. He famously created Facebook in his Harvard University dorm room in 2004, initially as a platform for college students to connect. The social network’s rapid growth led Zuckerberg to drop out of Harvard and focus on developing the company full-time. Under his leadership, Facebook expanded globally and diversified its offerings, eventually rebranding as Meta Platforms in 2021 to reflect its focus on the metaverse.
Zuckerberg’s journey has been marked by both tremendous success and significant challenges. He has faced scrutiny over issues such as user privacy, content moderation, and the platform’s impact on society and democracy. Despite these hurdles, Zuckerberg has continued to drive innovation within the company, pushing into new areas such as virtual and augmented reality. His philanthropic efforts, conducted alongside his wife Priscilla Chan through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, focus on advancing human potential and promoting equality.
5. Bernard Arnault & family – $164.6 billion
Bernard Arnault, the Chairman and CEO of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, along with his family, holds a net worth of $164.6 billion, placing them fifth on the list of the world’s wealthiest. Arnault’s fortune is derived from his leadership of LVMH, the world’s largest luxury goods company, which encompasses over 70 distinguished brands including Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Hennessy.
Born in Roubaix, France, in 1949, Arnault began his career in his family’s construction business. In 1984, he acquired the bankrupt textile company that owned Christian Dior, marking his entry into the luxury goods sector. Arnault’s strategic acumen and vision for luxury brand management led to the formation of LVMH in 1987 through a series of mergers.
Under Arnault’s leadership, LVMH has become a powerhouse in the global luxury market, consistently delivering strong financial performance. Known for his keen eye for talent and brand potential, Arnault has successfully expanded LVMH’s portfolio through strategic acquisitions and organic growth. His children are also involved in various aspects of the business, ensuring the family’s continued influence in the luxury goods industry.
Arnault’s impact extends beyond business; he is a prominent figure in French society and a noted art collector. His family’s pledge of €200 million towards the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral following the 2019 fire underscores their commitment to preserving French cultural heritage.
6. Larry Page – $147.7 billion
Larry Page, co-founder of Google and board member of Alphabet Inc., has accumulated a net worth of $147.7 billion, securing the sixth position among the world’s wealthiest individuals. Page’s fortune stems primarily from his stake in Alphabet, the parent company of Google and several other technology ventures.
Born in East Lansing, Michigan, in 1973, Page showed an early interest in computers, influenced by his father’s computer science professor background. He met Sergey Brin while pursuing his Ph.D. at Stanford University, and together they developed the idea for Google, initially as a research project to improve internet search capabilities. They founded Google in 1998, with Page serving as the company’s first CEO.
Under Page’s leadership, Google grew from a search engine into a global technology giant, expanding into areas such as mobile operating systems (Android), video sharing (YouTube), and cloud computing. In 2015, Page became CEO of Alphabet Inc., the newly formed parent company of Google and its subsidiaries. He stepped down from this role in 2019 but remains a board member and controlling shareholder.
Page is known for his vision of using technology to solve global challenges. He has invested in numerous “moonshot” projects through Alphabet’s X Development LLC, including self-driving cars and renewable energy technologies. Outside of Alphabet, Page has invested in flying car startups and other cutting-edge technologies. Despite maintaining a relatively low public profile, Page’s influence on the tech industry and beyond remains substantial.
7. Warren Buffett – $145.9 billion
Warren Buffett, often referred to as the “Oracle of Omaha,” is one of the most successful investors in history and the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. With a net worth of $145.9 billion, Buffett has consistently ranked among the world’s wealthiest individuals for decades. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1930, Buffett showed an early aptitude for business and investing, buying his first stock at age 11 and filing his first tax return at 14.
Buffett’s investment philosophy, centered on value investing principles, has been the cornerstone of his success. He built his fortune primarily through his company, Berkshire Hathaway, which he transformed from a struggling textile manufacturer into a massive conglomerate with holdings in various industries. Buffett is known for his frugal lifestyle despite his immense wealth, still living in the same house he bought in Omaha in 1958. His commitment to philanthropy is equally notable, having pledged to give away 99% of his wealth to charitable causes through the Giving Pledge, which he co-founded with Bill and Melinda Gates.
8. Sergey Brin – $141.1 billion
Sergey Brin, with a net worth of $141.1 billion, is the co-founder of Google and a board member of Alphabet Inc. Born in Moscow in 1973, Brin immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of six. He met Larry Page while pursuing his Ph.D. in computer science at Stanford University, and together they founded Google in 1998, revolutionizing the way people access and interact with information online.
Brin’s wealth is primarily derived from his stake in Alphabet, Google’s parent company. As president of Alphabet’s moonshot factory, X, Brin has been involved in developing innovative technologies such as self-driving cars and augmented reality glasses. Known for his interest in cutting-edge technology and space exploration, Brin has invested in projects like space tourism and lab-grown meat. Despite stepping down from his executive role at Alphabet in 2019, Brin remains a significant shareholder and continues to influence the company’s strategic direction.
9. Jensen Huang – $128.7 billion
Jensen Huang, with a net worth of $128.7 billion, is the co-founder and CEO of NVIDIA Corporation, a company that has become synonymous with graphics processing units (GPUs) and artificial intelligence technologies. Born in Taiwan in 1963, Huang immigrated to the United States as a child and later earned degrees in electrical engineering from Oregon State University and Stanford University.
Huang co-founded NVIDIA in 1993, focusing initially on developing graphics chips for gaming. Under his leadership, the company has expanded into diverse fields, including artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, and data centers. NVIDIA’s success in the AI boom has led to a significant surge in its stock price, dramatically increasing Huang’s net worth. Known for his distinctive leather jacket and passionate keynote speeches, Huang has become an iconic figure in the tech industry. His vision of accelerated computing has positioned NVIDIA at the forefront of the AI revolution, making it one of the most valuable companies in the world.
10. Amancio Ortega – $128.5 billion
Amancio Ortega, with a net worth of $128.5 billion, is the founder of Inditex, the parent company of Zara and several other fashion retail chains. Born in Busdongo de Arbás, Spain, in 1936, Ortega came from humble beginnings and started his career as a shop hand for a local shirtmaker. In 1975, he opened the first Zara store with his then-wife Rosalía Mera, pioneering the concept of “fast fashion” – quickly turning catwalk designs into affordable clothing.
Ortega’s business model revolutionized the fashion retail industry, emphasizing rapid turnover of inventory and responsive supply chains. Inditex has grown to become one of the world’s largest fashion retailers, with over 7,000 stores worldwide. Despite his immense wealth, Ortega is known for his modest lifestyle and aversion to publicity. He rarely gives interviews and maintained a low profile even as Zara expanded globally. Ortega stepped down as chairman of Inditex in 2011 but remains the company’s largest shareholder. His real estate investments, which include properties in major cities worldwide, have further bolstered his fortune.
