2024’s 10 Richest Individuals: A Comprehensive Ranking

As an online entrepreneur, I’ve always been fascinated by the stories of those who’ve reached the pinnacle of financial success. There’s something incredibly inspiring about individuals who’ve managed to amass fortunes that most of us can barely comprehend. That’s why I’m excited to dive into the list of the top 10 richest people in the world for 2024. This year’s lineup is particularly intriguing, with some familiar faces and a few surprises. From tech moguls to retail giants, these billionaires have shaped our world in countless ways. Their journeys to the top are filled with innovation, risk-taking, and often, a fair bit of controversy. As someone who’s built my own online business, I’m always looking for insights and lessons from these titans of industry. While their level of wealth may seem unattainable, their strategies and mindsets can offer valuable lessons for entrepreneurs at any level. Based on data from the Real-Time Billionaires List, let’s take a closer look at who’s made the cut this year and explore the stories behind their astronomical net worths. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur, a curious investor, or just someone fascinated by the world of extreme wealth, this list is sure to provide some food for thought.

1. Elon Musk – $269.8 billion

Elon Musk, born in 1971 in Pretoria, South Africa, is a business magnate and investor known for his roles in Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter). According to the Real-Time Billionaires List, Musk’s net worth of $269.8 billion makes him the wealthiest person in the world. Musk co-founded PayPal in 1999, which eBay acquired in 2002 for $1.5 billion. He founded SpaceX in 2002 and became CEO of Tesla in 2008. His other ventures include Neuralink, The Boring Company, and xAI. Musk acquired Twitter for $44 billion in 2022 and rebranded it as X in 2023. Musk’s wealth primarily stems from his stake in Tesla, where he owns about 13% of the company. He has also benefited from the success of SpaceX, which is valued at $180 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. With a net worth of $206.2 billion, Ellison is currently the second richest person in the world. Ellison co-founded Oracle in 1977, which grew to become one of the largest software companies globally. He stepped down as CEO in 2014 but remains active in the company as CTO and chairman. Ellison’s wealth has surged recently due to Oracle’s stock price increase, driven by the AI boom and demand for cloud databases. In addition to his Oracle stake, Ellison owns significant shares in Tesla and has invested in various other ventures. He is known for his lavish lifestyle, including owning the Hawaiian island of Lanai.

3. Jeff Bezos – $205.8 billion

Jeff Bezos, born in 1964 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the founder and executive chairman of Amazon. His net worth of $205.8 billion places him as the third richest person globally. Bezos founded Amazon in 1994 as an online bookstore, which has since grown into the world’s largest e-commerce platform. He stepped down as CEO in 2021 but remains executive chairman. Bezos’ wealth is primarily tied to his Amazon shares, but he has diversified his investments over the years. Outside of Amazon, Bezos owns The Washington Post and Blue Origin, a space exploration company. He’s known for his “Day One” philosophy, emphasizing constant innovation and customer focus. Bezos has also increased his philanthropic efforts in recent years, including the creation of the Bezos Earth Fund.

4. Bernard Arnault & family – $199.5 billion

Bernard Arnault, born in 1949 in Roubaix, France, is the chairman and CEO of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world’s largest luxury goods company. His net worth of $199.5 billion makes him the fourth wealthiest person globally. Arnault began his career in his family’s construction business before venturing into luxury goods. He acquired Christian Dior in 1985 and later gained control of LVMH in 1989. Under his leadership, LVMH has grown to encompass over 70 prestigious brands, including Louis Vuitton, Hennessy, and Sephora. Arnault’s wealth is primarily tied to his 48.6% stake in LVMH, which had a market capitalization of over $400.2 billion as of early June 2024. His net worth has fluctuated significantly in recent years, at times surpassing that of Elon Musk to claim the title of world’s richest person.

5. Mark Zuckerberg – $196.3 billion

Mark Zuckerberg, born in 1984 in White Plains, New York, is the co-founder, CEO, and controlling shareholder of Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook). His net worth of $196.3 billion places him as the fifth richest person in the world. Zuckerberg founded Facebook in 2004 while studying at Harvard University. The social media platform has since grown into a tech giant, with Meta now encompassing other popular platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp. Zuckerberg has been instrumental in steering the company towards new technologies, including virtual and augmented reality. His wealth is largely derived from his stake in Meta, which has seen significant growth in recent years due to the company’s strong performance and increased focus on artificial intelligence and the metaverse.

6. Warren Buffett – $143.9 billion

Warren Buffett, born in 1930 in Omaha, Nebraska, is the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway and one of the most successful investors in history. With a net worth of $143.9 billion, he is the sixth wealthiest person globally. Known as the “Oracle of Omaha,” Buffett began investing at a young age and founded Berkshire Hathaway in the 1960s. The company has since grown into a massive conglomerate with investments in various sectors, including insurance, energy, and consumer goods. Despite his immense wealth, Buffett is known for his frugal lifestyle. He still lives in the same house he bought in Omaha in 1958 for $31,500. Buffett is also a notable philanthropist, having pledged to give away more than 99% of his wealth to charitable causes. Buffett’s investment strategy, focusing on value investing and long-term growth, has made him one of the most respected figures in the financial world. His annual shareholder meetings, often called the “Woodstock of Capitalism,” attract thousands of investors seeking his wisdom and insights.

7. Bill Gates – $138.6 billion

Bill Gates, born in 1955 in Seattle, Washington, is the co-founder of Microsoft and one of the most influential figures in the tech industry. His net worth of $138.6 billion places him as the seventh wealthiest person globally. Gates co-founded Microsoft with Paul Allen in 1975, which grew to become the world’s largest personal computer software company. He served as CEO until 2000 and remained chairman until 2014. Gates has since focused on philanthropy through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which he co-chairs with his ex-wife, Melinda French Gates. Despite giving away billions through his foundation, Gates’ wealth continues to grow due to his diverse investment portfolio. His investments span various sectors, including technology, real estate, and clean energy. Gates has pledged to give away the majority of his wealth during his lifetime or in his will.

8. Larry Page – $136.4 billion

Larry Page, born in 1973 in East Lansing, Michigan, is the co-founder of Google and former CEO of its parent company, Alphabet Inc. His net worth of $136.4 billion makes him the eighth richest person in the world. Page co-founded Google with Sergey Brin in 1998 while they were Ph.D. students at Stanford University. Under his leadership, Google grew from a search engine into a tech giant encompassing various products and services. Page served as Google’s CEO from 2011 to 2015 and as CEO of Alphabet from 2015 to 2019. Page’s wealth primarily comes from his stake in Alphabet, but he has also invested in flying car startups and sustainable energy technologies. He is known for his “10X” mentality, encouraging employees to create products ten times better than those of competitors.

9. Amancio Ortega – $133.4 billion

Amancio Ortega, born in 1936 in Busdongo de Arbás, Spain, is the founder of Inditex, the world’s largest fashion retailer. His net worth of $133.4 billion places him as the ninth wealthiest person globally. Ortega co-founded Zara with his ex-wife Rosalía Mera in 1975, which later became part of Inditex. The company now owns several major fashion brands, including Zara, Pull&Bear, and Massimo Dutti. Ortega’s success is attributed to his fast-fashion business model, which quickly brings new designs from sketch to store shelves. Despite stepping down as chairman of Inditex in 2011, Ortega still owns 59% of the company. He has diversified his wealth through substantial real estate investments in prime locations worldwide, including properties in Madrid, London, and New York.

10. Sergey Brin – $130.6 billion

Sergey Brin, born in 1973 in Moscow, Russia, is the co-founder of Google and former president of Alphabet Inc. His net worth of $130.6 billion makes him the tenth richest person in the world. Brin co-founded Google with Larry Page in 1998, revolutionizing internet search and digital advertising. He served as the president of Alphabet from 2015 to 2019, focusing on moonshot projects like self-driving cars and internet-beaming balloons. Like Page, Brin’s wealth primarily comes from his stake in Alphabet. He has also invested in various projects, including a high-tech airship company. Brin is known for his interest in cutting-edge technologies and has been involved in Google’s more experimental projects throughout his career.