Analyzing 2024’s 10 Richest People Worldwide
As an entrepreneur who’s always been fascinated by the world of wealth and success, I can’t help but marvel at the staggering fortunes amassed by the planet’s richest individuals. Each year, I eagerly anticipate the release of the latest rankings, curious to see how the financial landscape has shifted and who’s climbed to the top of the global wealth pyramid.
The year 2024 has brought some intriguing changes to the list of the world’s wealthiest people. As someone who’s constantly seeking inspiration and insights from those who’ve achieved extraordinary success, I find these rankings not just a measure of wealth, but a testament to innovation, business acumen, and the ever-evolving nature of global markets.
From tech visionaries to retail giants and investment gurus, the top 10 richest people in 2024 represent a diverse array of industries and backgrounds. Their stories of success, the empires they’ve built, and the wealth they’ve accumulated offer valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs like myself.
Based on data from the Real-Time Billionaires List, let’s dive into the list of the top 10 richest people in the world for 2024.
1. Elon Musk – $266.3 billion
Elon Musk, the innovative entrepreneur behind Tesla and SpaceX, maintains his position as the world’s wealthiest person with a staggering net worth of $266.3 billion. Musk’s wealth primarily stems from his significant stakes in Tesla, the electric vehicle and clean energy company, and SpaceX, his private space exploration venture. His fortune has seen dramatic fluctuations in recent years, largely due to the volatile nature of Tesla’s stock price and his acquisition of Twitter (now X).
2. Jeff Bezos – $211.3 billion
According to the Real-Time Billionaires List, Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, holds the second spot with a net worth of $211.3 billion. Bezos’ wealth is largely tied to his Amazon shares, which he has been steadily selling in recent years. Despite stepping down as CEO in 2021, Bezos remains Amazon’s largest individual shareholder. His other ventures, including Blue Origin, his space exploration company, and various investments through his family office, Bezos Expeditions, contribute to his immense wealth.
3. Larry Ellison – $202.8 billion
Larry Ellison, co-founder, executive chairman, and CTO of Oracle Corporation, rounds out the top three with a net worth of $202.8 billion. Ellison’s fortune is primarily derived from his substantial stake in Oracle, the software giant he co-founded in 1977. Additionally, his wealth has been boosted by significant investments in other tech companies, most notably his large position in Tesla. Ellison’s strategic investments and Oracle’s continued success in the enterprise software market have solidified his position among the world’s wealthiest individuals.
4. Mark Zuckerberg – $194.9 billion
Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder and CEO of Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook), has seen a remarkable surge in his net worth, now standing at $194.9 billion. This represents a staggering increase of $72.2 billion in 2024 alone, making him the year’s biggest wealth gainer.
Zuckerberg’s fortune is primarily tied to his approximately 13% stake in Meta, which has performed exceptionally well this year with its stock price up 60% since January. His wealth surge is attributed to Meta’s strategic focus on artificial intelligence and cost-cutting measures, which have resonated well with investors.
5. Bernard Arnault & family – $175.2 billion
Bernard Arnault, the French business magnate and CEO of luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, has experienced significant fluctuations in his net worth this year. As of the latest update, his fortune stands at $175.2 billion. This represents a substantial decrease from earlier in the year when he briefly held the title of the world’s richest person with a net worth of $233 billion. The decline is largely due to a 20% drop in LVMH’s stock price, which has wiped out $54 billion from Arnault’s wealth. Despite this setback, Arnault remains one of the wealthiest individuals globally, overseeing a portfolio of prestigious brands including Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Hennessy.
6. Warren Buffett – $143.4 billion
Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, maintains his position among the world’s wealthiest with a net worth of $143.4 billion. Known for his value investing strategy and frugal lifestyle, Buffett’s wealth primarily stems from his ownership stake in Berkshire Hathaway. Despite his enormous wealth, Buffett is famous for his modest annual salary of $100,000 and his commitment to philanthropy. He has pledged to give away the majority of his wealth to charitable causes and has already donated billions of dollars to various foundations.
7. Bill Gates – $138.9 billion
Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and renowned philanthropist, maintains a substantial net worth of $138.9 billion. Despite stepping down from Microsoft’s board in 2020, Gates continues to derive a significant portion of his wealth from his shares in the company. His fortune has seen fluctuations, with a reported $4 billion decrease in April 2024 following his divorce from Melinda French Gates in 2021. Gates now focuses primarily on philanthropic efforts through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to which he has donated approximately $59 billion over the years.
8. Larry Page – $135.1 billion
Larry Page, co-founder of Google and former CEO of its parent company Alphabet, has amassed a fortune of $135.1 billion. Page’s wealth is largely tied to his significant stake in Alphabet, where he remains a board member and controlling shareholder. Despite stepping down from day-to-day operations at Alphabet in 2019, Page’s net worth continues to grow, reflecting the company’s strong performance in areas such as artificial intelligence and cloud computing.
9. Amancio Ortega – $132.2 billion
Amancio Ortega, the Spanish fashion tycoon behind Inditex, which owns brands like Zara, has a net worth of $132.2 billion. Ortega’s wealth has seen significant fluctuations, with recent reports indicating a $4 billion increase in just 24 hours due to Inditex’s strong market performance. Known for his strategic investments in real estate, Ortega’s property holdings were valued at $17.2 billion in 2020. His company, Inditex, reported revenues of 35.9 billion euros ($38.9 billion) for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2024.
10. Sergey Brin – $129.4 billion
Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google alongside Larry Page, rounds out the top 10 with a net worth of $129.4 billion. Like Page, Brin’s wealth is primarily derived from his stake in Alphabet. Despite stepping down from his role as president of Alphabet in 2019, Brin remains a board member and significant shareholder. His fortune has grown substantially over the years, reflecting Google’s dominant position in the tech industry and its successful ventures into various emerging technologies.
