As a securities broker, I’ve always been fascinated by the ebb and flow of wealth in the global markets. There’s something captivating about watching fortunes rise and fall, especially when we’re talking about the crème de la crème of the world’s billionaires. The year 2024 has been particularly intriguing, with some familiar faces maintaining their stronghold at the top while others have seen significant shifts in their net worth.
Based on data from the
Real-Time Billionaires List, we’ll dive into the lives and fortunes of the top 10 richest people in the world as of 2024. From tech titans to luxury goods moguls, these individuals have not only amassed staggering wealth but have also shaped industries and influenced global economies.
1. Elon Musk – $269.8 billion
Elon Musk, born in 1971 in Pretoria, South Africa, is an entrepreneur and business magnate known for founding and leading multiple innovative companies. He is currently the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and owner of X (formerly Twitter).
Musk showed an early aptitude for technology, creating and selling a video game at age 12. He moved to Canada for university before transferring to the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned degrees in economics and physics.
After briefly attending Stanford University, Musk dropped out to pursue entrepreneurial ventures. He co-founded Zip2, an online city guide, which was acquired by Compaq for $307 million in 1999. He then co-founded X.com, an online payment company that later became PayPal and was sold to eBay for $1.5 billion in 2002.
With his PayPal earnings, Musk founded SpaceX in 2002 with the goal of reducing space transportation costs and enabling the colonization of Mars. In 2004, he joined Tesla Motors as chairman and later became CEO, leading the company to become a major player in the electric vehicle market.
Musk’s other ventures include SolarCity (now part of Tesla), Neuralink, and The Boring Company. In 2022, he acquired Twitter (now X) for $44 billion.
2. Larry Ellison – $206.2 billion
Larry Ellison, born in 1944 in New York City, is the co-founder, executive chairman, and CTO of Oracle Corporation. Raised by his aunt and uncle in Chicago, Ellison attended the University of Illinois and the University of Chicago but dropped out of both before completing his degree.
In 1977, Ellison co-founded Software Development Laboratories (SDL) with Bob Miner and Ed Oates. The company, later renamed Oracle Corporation, developed the first commercial SQL-based relational database management system. Under Ellison’s leadership, Oracle grew to become the largest supplier of database software and the second-largest supplier of business applications globally.
Ellison served as Oracle’s CEO until 2014, when he stepped down to become executive chairman and CTO. He has been instrumental in Oracle’s growth through both product development and strategic acquisitions, including the purchase of Sun Microsystems in 2009 for $7.4 billion and NetSuite in 2016 for $9.3 billion.
Outside of Oracle, Ellison is known for his lavish lifestyle, including owning 98% of the Hawaiian island of Lanai. He is also a prominent philanthropist, pledging to give away at least 95% of his wealth to charitable causes.
3. Jeff Bezos – $205.8 billion
Jeff Bezos, born in 1964 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the founder and executive chairman of Amazon, the world’s largest e-commerce company. Raised in Houston and Miami, Bezos graduated from Princeton University in 1986 with degrees in electrical engineering and computer science.
After working on Wall Street for several years, Bezos founded Amazon in 1994 as an online bookstore. He started the company in his garage in Bellevue, Washington, and it quickly expanded to sell a wide variety of products. Under his leadership, Amazon revolutionized online retail and cloud computing with Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Bezos stepped down as Amazon’s CEO in 2021 but remains executive chairman. He also owns The Washington Post, which he purchased in 2013 for $250 million, and Blue Origin, a space exploration company he founded in 2000.
Known for his long-term thinking and customer-centric approach, Bezos has been a driving force in shaping the digital economy. His wealth has fluctuated significantly with Amazon’s stock price, and he has held the title of world’s richest person at various points.
Bezos is also involved in philanthropy, launching the Bezos Earth Fund in 2020 with a $10 billion commitment to combat climate change.
4. Bernard Arnault & family – $199.5 billion
Bernard Arnault is a French business magnate, investor, and art collector. He is the chairman and CEO of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world’s largest luxury goods company.
Arnault was born in 1949 in Roubaix, France. He graduated from the École Polytechnique in 1971 and began his career working for his father’s construction company, Ferret-Savinel. In 1984, he acquired the luxury goods company Financière Agache and subsequently took control of Boussac Saint-Frères, which owned Christian Dior.
Under Arnault’s leadership, LVMH has grown to encompass over 75 prestigious brands, including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Hennessy, and Tiffany & Co. His business strategy focuses on decentralizing brands while maintaining their independence and history.
Arnault’s net worth has fluctuated significantly in recent years. In early 2024, he briefly held the title of world’s richest person with a net worth exceeding $230 billion. However, by September 2024, his net worth had decreased to $177 billion due to a 20% drop in LVMH’s stock price.
5. Mark Zuckerberg – $196.3 billion
Mark Zuckerberg is an American technology entrepreneur and philanthropist, best known as the co-founder and CEO of Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook).
Born in 1984 in White Plains, New York, Zuckerberg showed an early aptitude for computer programming. He launched Facebook from his Harvard University dorm room in 2004, which quickly grew to become the world’s largest social media platform.
Under Zuckerberg’s leadership, Meta has expanded its portfolio to include Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus VR. In 2021, he rebranded the company as Meta Platforms, signaling a shift towards developing the metaverse.
Zuckerberg’s net worth is primarily tied to his ownership stake in Meta. As of September 2024, he owned about 519,000 shares of Meta Platforms Inc (META) stock, valued at over $295 million. His wealth has seen significant fluctuations, with Meta’s stock price nearly tripling in 2023 and reaching record highs in April 2024.
6. Warren Buffett – $143.9 billion
Warren Buffett, often called the “Oracle of Omaha,” is an American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. He is the CEO and chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, a conglomerate that owns a diverse portfolio of businesses.
Born in 1930 in Omaha, Nebraska, Buffett showed an early interest in business and investing. He bought his first stock at age 11 and filed his first tax return at 13. After graduating from Columbia Business School, where he studied under Benjamin Graham, Buffett began his investment career.
In 1965, Buffett took control of Berkshire Hathaway, then a struggling textile company, and transformed it into a massive holding company. His value investing strategy and long-term approach have made him one of the most successful investors in history.
According to the
Real-Time Billionaires List, Buffett’s net worth was estimated at $130 billion, making him the seventh-richest person in the world. Despite his immense wealth, Buffett is known for his frugal lifestyle and commitment to philanthropy. He has pledged to give away 99% of his wealth to charitable causes during his lifetime or at death.
7. Bill Gates – $138.6 billion
Bill Gates, born in 1955, is an American business magnate, software developer, and philanthropist best known as the co-founder of Microsoft Corporation.
Gates showed an early interest in computer programming and founded Microsoft with childhood friend Paul Allen in 1975. Under his leadership, Microsoft became the world’s largest personal computer software company. Gates served as chairman, CEO, and chief software architect until stepping down as CEO in 2000.
In 2008, Gates transitioned to focus on philanthropic efforts through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The foundation, which he co-chairs with his ex-wife Melinda, works to enhance healthcare, reduce extreme poverty, and expand educational opportunities and access to information technology worldwide.
Despite giving away billions through his foundation, Gates remains one of the wealthiest people globally. His net worth is primarily derived from his Microsoft shares and diverse investment portfolio managed through Cascade Investment.
8. Larry Page – $136.4 billion
Larry Page, born in 1973, is an American computer scientist and internet entrepreneur best known as the co-founder of Google along with Sergey Brin.
Page met Brin at Stanford University while pursuing his Ph.D. in computer science. They developed the PageRank algorithm, which became the foundation for Google’s search engine. Google was founded in 1998 and quickly became the world’s most popular search engine.
Page served as Google’s CEO from 2011 to 2015 and became CEO of Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company, until stepping down in 2019. He remains a board member and controlling shareholder of Alphabet.
Page’s wealth primarily comes from his stake in Alphabet. He has also invested in flying car startups and other innovative technologies. As of June 2024, Page’s net worth was estimated at $156 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
9. Amancio Ortega – $133.4 billion
Amancio Ortega, born in 1936, is a Spanish billionaire businessman and founder of the Inditex fashion group, best known for its chain of Zara clothing and accessories stores.
Ortega’s journey in the fashion industry began in 1963 when he started making bathrobes with his siblings and first wife. In 1975, he opened the first Zara store in A Coruña, Spain. Ortega’s innovative “fast fashion” business model, which quickly brings fashion trends from runways to stores, revolutionized the retail industry.
Under Ortega’s leadership, Inditex expanded globally and now operates over 7,500 stores in more than 90 markets worldwide. Despite stepping back from active management in 2011, Ortega remains a significant shareholder in Inditex.
Ortega is known for his private nature and rarely gives interviews. His wealth also includes substantial real estate investments across the globe. As of May 2024, his net worth was estimated at $108 billion.
10. Sergey Brin – $130.6 billion
Sergey Brin, born in 1973 in Moscow, is an American computer scientist and internet entrepreneur who co-founded Google with Larry Page.
Brin immigrated to the United States at the age of six. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science from the University of Maryland and was pursuing a Ph.D. at Stanford when he met Page. Together, they developed the PageRank algorithm and founded Google in 1998.
Brin served as the president of Google’s parent company, Alphabet Inc., until stepping down in December 2019. He remains a controlling shareholder and board member of Alphabet.
Like Page, Brin’s wealth primarily comes from his stake in Alphabet. He has also invested in various projects, including the development of Google Glass and other innovative technologies. As of September 2024, Brin’s net worth was estimated at $135 billion, making him the tenth-richest person in the world according to Bloomberg.
