As a business consultant, I’ve always been fascinated by the world’s wealthiest individuals and the empires they’ve built. There’s something captivating about tracking the fluctuations in their net worth and analyzing the strategies that propelled them to the top. The list of the richest people in the world for 2024 is particularly intriguing, showcasing both familiar faces and some surprising shifts.
This year’s lineup reflects the dynamic nature of global wealth, with technology moguls continuing to dominate the top spots. However, we’re also seeing the resilience of traditional industries and the rise of new players. From innovative tech giants to luxury goods tycoons, these individuals have not only amassed incredible fortunes but have also shaped entire industries and, in many cases, our daily lives.
Based on data from the Real-Time Billionaires List, we will dive into the details of the top 10 richest people in the world for 2024. We’ll explore their net worth, the sources of their wealth, and the remarkable journeys that led them to their current positions.
1. Elon Musk – $266.3 billion
According to the Real-Time Billionaires List, Elon Musk is currently the wealthiest person in the world, with an estimated net worth of $266.3 billion as of September 2024. Musk is the CEO and largest shareholder of Tesla, the electric vehicle and clean energy company. He is also the founder, CEO and chief engineer of SpaceX, the private space exploration company.
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 earning degrees in economics and physics from the University of Pennsylvania.
Musk made his initial fortune as a co-founder of PayPal, which was sold to eBay in 2002. He then founded SpaceX in 2002 and became an early investor and eventual CEO of Tesla. Musk’s wealth has grown tremendously in recent years, largely due to the soaring stock price of Tesla.
In addition to Tesla and SpaceX, Musk owns Twitter (now X), which he acquired in a $44 billion deal in 2022. He is also involved with ventures like Neuralink and The Boring Company. Known for his ambitious goals and controversial public statements, Musk remains a polarizing but undeniably influential figure in the tech world.
2. Jeff Bezos – $211.3 billion
Jeff Bezos is the founder and executive chairman of Amazon, the world’s largest e-commerce company. As of September 2024, his estimated net worth is $211.3 billion, making him the second richest person in the world.
Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1964, Bezos graduated from Princeton University with degrees in electrical engineering and computer science. He worked on Wall Street before founding Amazon in 1994 as an online bookstore.
Under Bezos’ leadership, Amazon expanded into a wide variety of product categories and services, including cloud computing (Amazon Web Services) and artificial intelligence. Bezos stepped down as CEO of Amazon in 2021 but remains executive chairman.
Outside of Amazon, Bezos owns The Washington Post and the space exploration company Blue Origin. He has also made significant investments in various companies through his venture capital firm, Bezos Expeditions.
3. Larry Ellison – $202.8 billion
Larry Ellison is the co-founder, executive chairman, and CTO of Oracle Corporation. His net worth is estimated at $202.8 billion as of September 2024, placing him third on the list of the world’s wealthiest individuals.
Born in New York City in 1944, Ellison dropped out of the University of Chicago and moved to California, where he worked various programming jobs. In 1977, he co-founded Software Development Laboratories, which later became Oracle Corporation.
Under Ellison’s leadership, Oracle grew to become one of the largest and most influential software companies in the world, specializing in database management systems. Ellison stepped down as CEO in 2014 but remains actively involved in the company as executive chairman and CTO.
Ellison is also known for his extravagant lifestyle, including owning luxury real estate and yachts. He has made significant philanthropic contributions, particularly in the areas of medical research and education. Additionally, Ellison owns a significant stake in Tesla and joined the company’s board of directors in 2018.
4. Mark Zuckerberg – $194.9 billion
Mark Zuckerberg is the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook). As of September 2024, his net worth is estimated at $194.9 billion, making him the fourth richest person in the world.
Born on May 14, 1984, in White Plains, New York, Zuckerberg showed an early interest in computers and programming. He co-founded Facebook in 2004 while studying at Harvard University. Under his leadership, Facebook has grown into a global social media giant, with Meta now owning other popular platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp.
Zuckerberg’s wealth is primarily tied to his stake in Meta Platforms. Despite facing various challenges, including privacy concerns and regulatory scrutiny, Meta’s stock has performed well, contributing to Zuckerberg’s substantial net worth increase in recent years.
In addition to his business ventures, Zuckerberg is known for his philanthropic efforts. He and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have pledged to donate 99% of their Facebook shares through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, focusing on areas such as education, science, and community development.
5. Bernard Arnault & family – $175.2 billion
Bernard Arnault is the chairman and CEO of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world’s largest luxury goods company. As of September 2024, his net worth is estimated at $175.2 billion.
Born on March 5, 1949, in Roubaix, France, Arnault began his career in his family’s construction business. In 1984, he acquired the textile company Boussac, which owned Christian Dior, marking his entry into the luxury goods sector.
Under Arnault’s leadership, LVMH has grown into a conglomerate of over 70 luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton, Hennessy, Bulgari, and Tiffany & Co. His business strategy has focused on acquiring prestigious brands and maintaining their heritage while driving global growth.
Arnault’s wealth is largely derived from his approximately 48% stake in LVMH. The company’s strong performance in the luxury market, particularly in Asia, has contributed significantly to his net worth.
6. Warren Buffett – $143.4 billion
Warren Buffett, often called the “Oracle of Omaha,” is one of the most successful investors in history. As of September 2024, his net worth is estimated at $143.4 billion.
Born on August 30, 1930, in Omaha, Nebraska, Buffett showed an early aptitude for business and investing. He is the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, a conglomerate that owns a diverse portfolio of businesses and investments.
Buffett’s investment philosophy, focused on value investing and long-term growth, has made him one of the wealthiest people in the world. Berkshire Hathaway owns significant stakes in major companies like Apple, Bank of America, and Coca-Cola.
Known for his frugal lifestyle despite his immense wealth, Buffett has pledged to give away the majority of his fortune to philanthropic causes. He is a co-founder of The Giving Pledge, encouraging billionaires to donate most of their wealth to charitable causes.
Buffett’s influence extends beyond his investments, with his annual shareholder letters and meetings being closely followed by investors and business leaders worldwide.
7. Bill Gates – $138.9 billion
Bill Gates is the co-founder of Microsoft and one of the most influential figures in the technology industry. As of September 2024, his net worth is estimated at $138.9 billion.
Born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington, Gates showed an early interest in computer programming. He co-founded Microsoft with Paul Allen in 1975, which went on to become the world’s largest personal computer software company. Under Gates’ leadership, Microsoft developed the Windows operating system, which revolutionized personal computing.
Gates stepped down as Microsoft’s CEO in 2000 and transitioned to a full-time role at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2008. The foundation, established in 2000, focuses on global issues such as healthcare, education, and poverty reduction. Gates has pledged to give away the majority of his wealth through philanthropy, having already donated over $59 billion to charitable causes.
Despite his significant charitable contributions, Gates’ net worth has continued to grow, largely due to his investments and Microsoft stock holdings. He remains actively involved in various business and philanthropic ventures, including efforts to combat climate change and improve global health.
8. Larry Page – $135.1 billion
Larry Page is the co-founder of Google and former CEO of its parent company, Alphabet Inc. His net worth as of September 2024 is estimated at $135.1 billion.
Born on March 26, 1973, in East Lansing, Michigan, Page met Sergey Brin at Stanford University while pursuing his Ph.D. in computer science. Together, they founded Google in 1998, revolutionizing internet search and digital advertising.
Page served as Google’s CEO from 2011 to 2015 and as CEO of Alphabet from 2015 to 2019. Under his leadership, Google expanded into various technology sectors, including mobile operating systems (Android), cloud computing, and artificial intelligence.
The majority of Page’s wealth comes from his significant stake in Alphabet. He has also invested in flying car companies and other innovative tech ventures. Despite stepping down from his executive role at Alphabet, Page remains a board member and controlling shareholder.
9. Amancio Ortega – $132.2 billion
Amancio Ortega is the founder of Inditex, the parent company of Zara and several other fashion retail chains. His net worth as of September 2024 is estimated at $132.2 billion.
Born on March 28, 1936, in Busdongo de Arbás, Spain, Ortega came from humble beginnings. He started his career in the textile manufacturing industry and opened the first Zara store in 1975. Ortega’s innovative “fast fashion” business model, which quickly brings runway styles to stores at affordable prices, revolutionized the retail clothing industry.
Inditex, founded in 1985, now operates over 7,500 stores worldwide across its various brands. Ortega stepped down as chairman of Inditex in 2011 but remains the company’s largest shareholder. He has diversified his wealth through significant investments in real estate across major cities globally.
Despite his immense wealth, Ortega is known for his modest lifestyle and rarely gives interviews. His daughter, Marta Ortega Perez, now serves as the non-executive chair of Inditex, continuing the family’s involvement in the business.
10. Sergey Brin – $129.4 billion
Sergey Brin is the co-founder of Google and former president of its parent company, Alphabet Inc. His net worth as of September 2024 is estimated at $129.4 billion.
Born on August 21, 1973, in Moscow, Russia, 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 founded Google in 1998.
Brin served as the president of technology at Google and later as president of Alphabet until 2019. He played a crucial role in developing Google’s core search technology and oversaw many of the company’s ambitious “moonshot” projects, including self-driving cars and Google Glass.
Like Page, the majority of Brin’s wealth comes from his stake in Alphabet. He has also invested in various technology startups and space exploration ventures. Although no longer in an executive role at Alphabet, Brin remains a controlling shareholder and board member.
Brin is known for his interest in cutting-edge technologies and has been involved in research on Parkinson’s disease, a condition that runs in his family. He has also made significant philanthropic contributions, particularly in the areas of science and technology research.
