Exploring the 10 Richest People in the World for 2024
As a finance news reporter who’s been covering the world’s wealthiest individuals for over a decade, I’ve witnessed some truly remarkable shifts in the global billionaire landscape. But let me tell you, the list of the top 10 richest people in the world for 2024 based on data from the Real-Time Billionaires List is nothing short of astounding.
This year’s ranking showcases the continued dominance of tech moguls, with familiar faces from Silicon Valley holding strong at the top. However, we’re also seeing the resilience of traditional industries, represented by luxury goods tycoons and investment gurus who’ve managed to keep pace with their tech counterparts.
What strikes me most about this year’s list is not just the sheer magnitude of wealth – we’re talking about fortunes that exceed the GDP of many countries – but the impact these individuals have on our daily lives. From the social media platforms we use to connect with friends, to the electric cars we drive, and even the clothes we wear, the influence of these billionaires is pervasive.
As we dive into the details of each mogul’s net worth and the stories behind their success, it’s worth remembering that these figures aren’t just abstract numbers. They represent immense power to shape markets, drive innovation, and influence global policy.
So, buckle up as we take a closer look at the ten individuals who currently sit atop the world’s wealth pyramid. Their stories of ambition, innovation, and sometimes controversy, offer a fascinating glimpse into the dynamics of global capitalism in 2024.
1. Elon Musk – $274.7 billion
Elon Musk, the enigmatic entrepreneur and visionary, continues to hold the title of the world’s richest person in 2024 with a staggering net worth of $274.7 billion. Born in Pretoria, South Africa in 1971, Musk showed an early aptitude for technology and entrepreneurship. He moved to the United States to attend university, eventually founding X.com, which later became PayPal.
Musk’s fortune stems primarily from his leadership roles in two groundbreaking companies: Tesla and SpaceX. As CEO of Tesla, he has revolutionized the electric vehicle industry and pushed for sustainable energy solutions. SpaceX, his private space exploration company, has made significant strides in reusable rocket technology and aims to enable human colonization of Mars.
In recent years, Musk has expanded his influence through high-profile acquisitions and new ventures. His $44 billion takeover of Twitter (now X) in 2022 sparked controversy but solidified his position as a major player in social media. He has also founded Neuralink, a neurotechnology company, and The Boring Company, which focuses on infrastructure and tunnel construction. Musk’s net worth has seen dramatic fluctuations due to the volatile nature of Tesla’s stock price, but his position at the top of the wealth rankings remains secure as of 2024.
2. Larry Ellison – $211.7 billion
According to the Real-Time Billionaires List, Larry Ellison, co-founder, executive chairman, and CTO of Oracle Corporation, holds the second spot on the list with a net worth of $211.7 billion. Born in New York City in 1944, Ellison’s journey to becoming one of the world’s wealthiest individuals is a testament to his technical expertise and business acumen.
Ellison co-founded Oracle in 1977, building it into one of the largest and most influential software companies in the world. His wealth is largely tied to his significant ownership stake in Oracle, which has consistently been a dominant force in the database management systems market. Beyond Oracle, Ellison has made substantial investments in other tech companies and real estate, including purchasing 98% of the Hawaiian island of Lanai in 2012.
3. Jeff Bezos – $205.6 billion
Jeff Bezos, the founder and executive chairman of Amazon, ranks third with a net worth of $205.6 billion. Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1964, 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.
Bezos’s wealth is primarily derived from his stake in Amazon, though he has diversified his portfolio over the years. He owns The Washington Post and founded Blue Origin, a space exploration company with ambitions similar to those of Musk’s SpaceX. Bezos stepped down as CEO of Amazon in 2021 but remains executive chairman and a major shareholder.
Known for his long-term thinking and customer-centric approach, Bezos has also made significant philanthropic commitments, including the creation of the Bezos Earth Fund with a $10 billion pledge to combat climate change. Despite fluctuations in Amazon’s stock price and his high-profile divorce in 2019, Bezos maintains his position as one of the world’s wealthiest individuals in 2024.
4. Mark Zuckerberg – $198.3 billion
Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder and CEO of Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook), has seen his net worth soar to $198.3 billion in 2024, solidifying his position as one of the world’s wealthiest individuals. Born in 1984 in White Plains, New York, Zuckerberg’s journey to tech mogul began in his Harvard dorm room, where he created Facebook in 2004. His vision of connecting people online revolutionized social media and digital communication.
Under Zuckerberg’s leadership, Meta has expanded far beyond its initial social networking roots. The company now encompasses a suite of popular platforms including Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus VR. Zuckerberg’s wealth is primarily tied to his substantial stake in Meta, which has shown remarkable resilience and growth despite facing regulatory challenges and public scrutiny over privacy concerns and content moderation.
In recent years, Zuckerberg has shifted the company’s focus towards developing the “metaverse,” a concept of interconnected virtual experiences. This ambitious project reflects his long-term vision for the future of digital interaction. Beyond his business endeavors, Zuckerberg, along with his wife Priscilla Chan, has committed to significant philanthropic efforts through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, pledging to donate 99% of their Meta shares over their lifetimes to causes such as education, science, and community development.
5. Bernard Arnault & family – $173.3 billion
Bernard Arnault, the French business magnate and art collector, holds the fifth spot on the list with a net worth of $173.3 billion. As the chairman and CEO of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH), Arnault has built and oversees the world’s largest luxury goods empire. His journey to the top of the luxury market began in 1984 when he acquired a textile company that owned Christian Dior.
Under Arnault’s leadership, LVMH has grown to encompass over 70 distinguished brands across various sectors including fashion, jewelry, wines and spirits, and hospitality. Notable names in the LVMH portfolio include Louis Vuitton, Dior, Hennessy, Bulgari, and Tiffany & Co. Arnault’s strategic acquisitions and brand management have been key to LVMH’s success and his personal wealth accumulation.
Arnault’s business acumen extends beyond luxury goods. He has made strategic investments in various sectors, including technology startups and real estate. His family is deeply involved in the LVMH business, with all five of his children holding significant positions within the company. This family-centric approach to business management has drawn comparisons to dynastic succession planning.
6. Warren Buffett – $143 billion
Warren Buffett, often referred to as the “Oracle of Omaha,” continues to be one of the world’s wealthiest individuals with a net worth of $143 billion. As the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett has built his fortune through astute value investing and strategic acquisitions. Born in 1930 in Omaha, Nebraska, Buffett showed an early aptitude for business and investing, buying his first stock at age 11.
Buffett’s investment philosophy, centered on identifying undervalued companies with strong fundamentals, has made him one of the most successful investors in history. Berkshire Hathaway, under his leadership, has grown from a struggling textile manufacturer into a massive conglomerate with holdings in diverse sectors including insurance, energy, railroads, and consumer goods.
Despite his immense wealth, Buffett is known for his frugal lifestyle and commitment to philanthropy. He still lives in the same Omaha home he purchased in 1958 for $31,500. In 2006, Buffett pledged to give away 99% of his wealth to philanthropic causes, primarily through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. His annual donations of Berkshire Hathaway stock have significantly impacted global health and education initiatives. Buffett’s approach to wealth and giving has made him a role model for ethical capitalism and responsible philanthropy.
7. Larry Page – $137.6 billion
Larry Page, co-founder of Google and former CEO of its parent company Alphabet, has amassed a fortune of $137.6 billion. Born in 1973 in East Lansing, Michigan, Page showed an early interest in technology, inspired by his father, a computer science professor. He met Sergey Brin at Stanford University while pursuing his Ph.D., and together they created Google in 1998, revolutionizing internet search and digital advertising.
Under Page’s leadership, first as Google’s CEO and later as CEO of Alphabet, the company expanded far beyond its search engine roots. It ventured into various fields including mobile operating systems (Android), video sharing (YouTube), and innovative “moonshot” projects through Google X. Page’s vision of organizing the world’s information and making it universally accessible has been a driving force behind Google’s success.
Despite stepping down from his executive role at Alphabet in 2019, Page remains a board member and controlling shareholder. His wealth primarily stems from his stake in Alphabet, but he has also invested in flying car startups and other futuristic technologies. Page’s approach to innovation and his belief in tackling large-scale problems have made him a significant figure in the tech industry.
8. Sergey Brin – $131.7 billion
Sergey Brin, the other half of Google’s founding duo, shares a similar net worth to his long-time partner Larry Page at $131.7 billion. Born in Moscow in 1973, Brin immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of six. His background in mathematics and computer science led him to Stanford, where he met Page and co-created the PageRank algorithm that became the foundation of Google’s search engine.
As president of Alphabet until 2019, Brin oversaw the company’s acquisition of YouTube and the development of Google’s Chrome browser. He has been particularly interested in Google X projects, including the development of Google Glass and self-driving cars. Brin’s wealth, like Page’s, is largely tied to his Alphabet shares.
Known for his philanthropic efforts, Brin has donated to Parkinson’s disease research and has been involved in various charitable causes. Despite no longer holding an executive position at Alphabet, Brin continues to be a significant shareholder and influential figure in the tech world.
9. Amancio Ortega – $131.7 billion
Amancio Ortega, the Spanish fashion tycoon, has built a retail empire that has earned him a net worth of $131.7 billion. Born in 1936 in Busdongo de Arbás, Spain, Ortega’s journey from a humble background to becoming one of the world’s wealthiest individuals is a testament to his business acumen and innovative approach to fashion retail.
Ortega is best known as the founder of Inditex, the parent company of Zara and several other fashion brands. He opened the first Zara store in 1975, pioneering the concept of “fast fashion” by quickly translating catwalk designs into affordable, mass-market styles. Under Ortega’s leadership, Inditex expanded globally, operating over 7,400 stores across multiple brands.
Despite stepping down as chairman of Inditex in 2011, Ortega remains the company’s largest shareholder. He has diversified his wealth through substantial real estate investments in major cities worldwide. Known for his frugal lifestyle and aversion to public attention, Ortega’s business model has revolutionized the fashion industry and made him one of Europe’s wealthiest individuals.
10. Steve Ballmer – $125.8 billion
Steve Ballmer, former CEO of Microsoft and current owner of the Los Angeles Clippers NBA team, has accumulated a net worth of $125.8 billion. Born in 1956 in Detroit, Michigan, Ballmer’s journey to becoming one of the world’s wealthiest individuals began when he joined Microsoft in 1980 as employee number 30.
Ballmer served as Microsoft’s CEO from 2000 to 2014, leading the company through a period of significant growth and challenges. During his tenure, Microsoft’s annual revenue surged from $23 billion to $77 billion, and the company expanded its reach in enterprise software and gaming with the Xbox console.
Since retiring from Microsoft, Ballmer has focused on philanthropic efforts through the Ballmer Group and his ownership of the LA Clippers. He’s known for his energetic personality and has invested heavily in improving the Clippers’ performance and facilities. Ballmer’s wealth is primarily derived from his substantial Microsoft shareholdings, which have appreciated significantly in recent years due to the company’s strong performance in cloud computing and AI.
