As a family office manager, I’ve had the privilege of observing the ebb and flow of global wealth for over two decades. It’s fascinating to see how the landscape of the world’s wealthiest individuals continues to evolve, reflecting the dynamic nature of our global economy and the ever-changing tides of innovation. The year 2024 has brought some intriguing shifts in the ranks of the ultra-wealthy, and I’m excited to share my insights on the current top 10 richest people in the world.
What strikes me most about this year’s list is the dominance of tech visionaries and entrepreneurs. Their ability to create and capitalize on groundbreaking technologies has not only reshaped industries but also redefined wealth accumulation in the 21st century. From e-commerce giants to social media moguls, and from electric vehicle innovators to AI pioneers, these individuals have leveraged technology to build empires that span the globe.
However, it’s not just about the numbers. As someone who works closely with high-net-worth individuals, I’ve come to appreciate the stories behind the fortunes. Each of these billionaires has a unique journey, filled with risks, innovations, and often, a vision that extends beyond mere profit.
Based on data from the Real-Time Billionaires List, we’ll delve into the lives and fortunes of the top 10 richest people in the world as of 2024. We’ll explore not just their net worth, but also the sources of their wealth, their business strategies, and the impact they’ve had on the global economy. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a curious investor, or simply intrigued by the world of high finance, I hope you’ll find this exploration as fascinating as I do.
1. Elon Musk – $304 billion
Elon Musk, the visionary entrepreneur and innovator, has reclaimed his position as the world’s wealthiest person with a staggering net worth of $304 billion as of 2024. Born in Pretoria, South Africa, Musk has become a household name through his groundbreaking ventures in technology, space exploration, and sustainable energy.
Musk’s journey to the top of the wealth pyramid began with early successes in the tech industry, including the sale of Zip2 and his involvement in PayPal. However, it was his leadership of Tesla, the electric vehicle and clean energy company, and SpaceX, the private space exploration firm, that catapulted him to unprecedented levels of wealth. Under Musk’s guidance, Tesla has revolutionized the automotive industry, while SpaceX has made significant strides in making space travel more accessible and cost-effective.
In addition to his primary ventures, Musk has also made waves with his acquisition of X (formerly Twitter) in 2022, adding social media to his diverse portfolio of interests. Known for his ambitious goals and unconventional approach to business and innovation, Musk continues to push the boundaries of technology and entrepreneurship, solidifying his position at the pinnacle of global wealth.
2. Larry Ellison – $230.7 billion
Larry Ellison, the co-founder, executive chairman, and CTO of Oracle Corporation, has seen his net worth soar to an impressive $230.7 billion, securing him the second spot on the list of the world’s wealthiest individuals. Ellison’s journey to immense wealth began with the founding of Oracle in 1977, which grew to become one of the largest and most influential software companies in the world.
Ellison’s fortune has experienced significant growth in recent years, with a notable jump of $15 billion in June 2024 alone, as Oracle’s stock reached an all-time high. The 79-year-old tech mogul’s wealth is primarily tied to his substantial stake in Oracle, but he has also made strategic investments in other tech companies, including a significant position in Tesla.
Known for his lavish lifestyle and penchant for luxury, Ellison has invested heavily in real estate, including purchasing 98% of the Hawaiian island of Lanai. Despite stepping down as CEO of Oracle in 2014, Ellison remains actively involved in the company’s operations and continues to be a major force in the tech industry.
3. Jeff Bezos – $224.5 billion
According to the Real-Time Billionaires List, Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and Blue Origin, holds the third position among the world’s wealthiest individuals with a net worth of $224.5 billion. Born on January 12, 1964, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Bezos has become synonymous with e-commerce and digital innovation.
Bezos founded Amazon in 1994 as an online bookstore, which he grew into the world’s largest e-commerce platform and a leader in cloud computing services through Amazon Web Services (AWS). His vision and business acumen transformed Amazon into a tech giant, disrupting traditional retail and expanding into various sectors including entertainment, artificial intelligence, and more.
In addition to his success with Amazon, Bezos has invested in numerous other ventures, including the aerospace company Blue Origin, which aims to make space travel more accessible. He also owns The Washington Post, which he acquired in 2013 for $250 million. Despite stepping down as CEO of Amazon in 2021, Bezos remains executive chairman and continues to play a significant role in shaping the company’s future. His wealth, while fluctuating with Amazon’s stock price, has consistently placed him among the world’s richest individuals for over a decade.
4. Mark Zuckerberg – $203.8 billion
Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder and CEO of Meta (formerly Facebook), has seen his net worth soar to an impressive $203.8 billion, securing his position as the fourth wealthiest person in the world. Born in White Plains, New York, in 1984, Zuckerberg’s journey to immense wealth began in his Harvard dorm room where he created Facebook in 2004.
Under Zuckerberg’s leadership, Facebook has grown into a global tech giant, now known as Meta Platforms, which includes popular social media platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp. His wealth is primarily tied to his approximately 13% stake in Meta, which has experienced significant growth in recent years. Zuckerberg’s fortune has fluctuated with Meta’s stock price, but the company’s renewed focus on artificial intelligence and the metaverse has contributed to its recent success.
Despite facing numerous controversies and challenges, including concerns over user privacy and the spread of misinformation, Zuckerberg has continued to innovate and expand Meta’s reach. He has also made significant philanthropic commitments, pledging to give away 99% of his Meta shares over his lifetime through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, which he founded with his wife, Priscilla Chan.
5. Bernard Arnault & family – $164.6 billion
Bernard Arnault, the French business magnate and art collector, has amassed a fortune of $164.6 billion, making him the fifth richest person in the world. As the chairman and CEO of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, Arnault has built a luxury goods empire that includes some of the world’s most prestigious brands.
Born in Roubaix, France, in 1949, Arnault began his career in his family’s construction business before venturing into the luxury goods market in 1984 with the acquisition of Christian Dior. Through a series of strategic acquisitions and mergers, he transformed LVMH into the largest luxury goods conglomerate in the world, with a portfolio that includes Louis Vuitton, Dior, Hennessy, and numerous other high-end brands.
Arnault’s business acumen and vision for luxury retail have been key to his success. He is known for his hands-on approach to management and his ability to balance tradition with innovation across LVMH’s brands. Despite recent market fluctuations affecting the luxury goods sector, Arnault’s wealth remains substantial, reflecting the enduring value of LVMH’s diverse portfolio.
6. Larry Page – $147.7 billion
Larry Page, co-founder of Google and former CEO of its parent company Alphabet, has a net worth of $147.7 billion, placing him sixth on the list of the world’s wealthiest individuals. Born in East Lansing, Michigan, in 1973, Page’s journey to becoming a tech billionaire began at Stanford University, where he met Sergey Brin and together created Google in 1998.
Page’s wealth is largely derived from his approximately 6% stake in Alphabet, Google’s parent company. Under his leadership, Google grew from a simple search engine into a global technology powerhouse, revolutionizing how people access and interact with information online. Page served as Google’s CEO from 2011 to 2015, overseeing major acquisitions and the development of groundbreaking technologies.
Known for his innovative thinking and passion for technological advancement, Page has also invested in various other ventures, including flying car companies and renewable energy projects. Although he stepped down from his executive role at Alphabet in 2019, Page remains a board member and continues to have significant influence over the company’s strategic direction.
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. Born in 1930 in Omaha, Nebraska, Buffett showed an aptitude for business and investing from a young age. He purchased his first stock at age 11 and filed his first tax return at 13.
Buffett’s investment philosophy, centered on value investing, has made him one of the wealthiest people in the world. His company, Berkshire Hathaway, owns a diverse portfolio of businesses across various sectors, including insurance, railroads, and consumer goods. Buffett is known for his frugal lifestyle despite his immense wealth, still living in the same house he bought in Omaha in 1958 for $31,500.
In addition to his business acumen, Buffett is renowned for his philanthropy. He has pledged to give away 99% of his wealth to philanthropic causes, primarily through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. His commitment to giving back has inspired many other billionaires to follow suit.
8. Sergey Brin – $141.1 billion
Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google and former president of its parent company Alphabet, has amassed a fortune of $141.1 billion. Born in Moscow in 1973, Brin immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of six. He met Larry Page at Stanford University while pursuing his Ph.D. in computer science, and together they created Google in 1998.
Brin’s wealth is largely derived from his stake in Alphabet, Google’s parent company. Under his leadership, Google grew from a simple search engine into a global technology powerhouse, revolutionizing how people access and interact with information online. Brin served as Google’s president of technology and later as president of Alphabet until stepping down in 2019.
Known for his innovative thinking and passion for technological advancement, Brin has also invested in various other ventures, including flying car companies and renewable energy projects. Despite his immense wealth, Brin is known for maintaining a relatively low profile and focusing on pushing the boundaries of technology.
9. Jensen Huang – $128.7 billion
Jensen Huang, the co-founder and CEO of NVIDIA Corporation, has seen his net worth soar to $128.7 billion, making him one of the world’s wealthiest individuals. Born in Taiwan in 1963, Huang moved to the United States as a child and later studied electrical engineering at Oregon State University and Stanford.
Huang co-founded NVIDIA in 1993, revolutionizing the computer graphics industry with the invention of the graphics processing unit (GPU). Under his leadership, NVIDIA has become a dominant force in the AI and deep learning sectors, with its chips powering everything from gaming systems to autonomous vehicles and supercomputers.
Known for his visionary leadership and technical expertise, Huang has been instrumental in positioning NVIDIA at the forefront of the AI revolution. His wealth has seen significant growth in recent years as demand for NVIDIA’s products has surged, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence and data centers.
10. Amancio Ortega – $128.5 billion
Amancio Ortega, the Spanish fashion tycoon and founder of Inditex, the world’s largest clothing retailer, has a net worth of $128.5 billion. Born in 1936 in Busdongo de Arbás, Spain, Ortega came from humble beginnings and started working in a clothing shop at the age of 14.
In 1975, Ortega opened his first Zara store, which would become the flagship brand of his retail empire, Inditex. The company’s innovative “fast fashion” model, which quickly brings new designs from runway to retail stores, revolutionized the fashion industry. Today, Inditex operates over 7,500 stores worldwide under various brand names, including Zara, Pull&Bear, and Massimo Dutti.
Despite his immense wealth, Ortega is known for his modest lifestyle and rarely gives interviews. He has diversified his investments beyond fashion, with a substantial real estate portfolio that includes prime properties in major cities around the world. Ortega is also known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in education and healthcare in Spain.
