The world of billionaires is ever-evolving, with fortunes rising and falling based on market dynamics, innovations, and strategic investments. As of 2024, the list of the top 10 richest people is dominated by tech moguls and industry titans who have revolutionized their respective fields.
Based on data from the Real-Time Billionaires List, here is a detailed look at the top 10 richest individuals in the world in 2024, their net worth, and their life and career achievements.
1. Elon Musk – Net Worth: $242.6 billion
Elon Musk, born on June 28, 1971, in Pretoria, South Africa, is a visionary entrepreneur known for his ambitious ventures in technology and space exploration. According to the Real-Time Billionaires List, Musk has a net worth of $242.6 billion. Musk’s journey to becoming the world’s richest person began with the founding of Zip2, an online city guide, which he sold for nearly $300 million. He then co-founded X.com, which later became PayPal and was sold to eBay for $1.5 billion.
Musk’s most notable ventures include SpaceX, Tesla, Neuralink, and The Boring Company. SpaceX has revolutionized space travel with reusable rockets, while Tesla has led the charge in electric vehicles, significantly contributing to Musk’s wealth. Additionally, Musk acquired Twitter (now X) and has been involved in various other innovative projects. His relentless pursuit of groundbreaking technologies and his ability to turn visionary ideas into reality have solidified his position at the top of the billionaire list.
2. Bernard Arnault & Family – Net Worth: $209.4 billion
Bernard Arnault, born on March 5, 1949, in Roubaix, France, is the chairman and CEO of LVMH, the world’s largest luxury goods company. Arnault’s career began in his father’s construction company, which he transformed into a real estate business. His entry into the luxury goods market came in 1984 when he acquired the struggling textile company Boussac, which owned Christian Dior.
Under Arnault’s leadership, LVMH was formed through the merger of Louis Vuitton and Moët Hennessy. He expanded the conglomerate through strategic acquisitions, including brands like Givenchy, Fendi, and Sephora. Arnault’s keen business acumen and ability to revitalize luxury brands have made LVMH a powerhouse in the luxury industry. Despite facing occasional setbacks, Arnault’s influence and wealth remain formidable.
3. Jeff Bezos – Net Worth: $193.3 billion
Jeff Bezos, born on January 12, 1964, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the founder of Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer. Bezos started Amazon in 1994 as an online bookstore, which quickly expanded to sell a wide range of products. Amazon’s innovative approach to e-commerce, logistics, and cloud computing through Amazon Web Services (AWS) has made it a global giant.
Bezos also owns The Washington Post and the space exploration company Blue Origin. His commitment to long-term thinking and customer-centric strategies has driven Amazon’s success. Bezos stepped down as CEO of Amazon in 2021 to focus on his other ventures and philanthropic efforts. His significant contributions to e-commerce and technology have cemented his status as one of the wealthiest individuals in the world.
4. Larry Ellison – Net Worth: $160 billion
Larry Ellison, born on August 17, 1944, in New York City, is the co-founder and former CEO of Oracle Corporation, a leading enterprise software company. Ellison’s journey began in 1977 when he co-founded Software Development Laboratories, which later became Oracle. The company’s flagship product, the Oracle Database, revolutionized data management and became a cornerstone of modern business operations.
Ellison’s leadership and vision transformed Oracle into a global powerhouse in the software industry. He stepped down as CEO in 2014 but remains actively involved as the chairman and chief technology officer. Ellison is also known for his investments in real estate and his ownership of the Hawaiian island of Lanai. His contributions to the tech industry and strategic investments have significantly boosted his wealth.
5. Mark Zuckerberg – Net Worth: $151.2 billion
Mark Zuckerberg, born on May 14, 1984, in White Plains, New York, is the co-founder and CEO of Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook). Zuckerberg launched Facebook in 2004 from his Harvard dorm room, initially as a social networking site for college students. The platform quickly gained popularity and expanded globally, becoming the largest social media network in the world.
Under Zuckerberg’s leadership, Meta has acquired several companies, including Instagram and WhatsApp, further solidifying its dominance in social media. Despite facing numerous controversies and regulatory challenges, Zuckerberg’s innovative vision and strategic acquisitions have driven Meta’s growth and his substantial wealth.
6. Larry Page – Net Worth: $135.4 billion
Larry Page, born on March 26, 1973, in East Lansing, Michigan, is an internet entrepreneur and computer scientist who co-founded Google with Sergey Brin. Page’s interest in computer science was influenced by his parents, both of whom were computer experts. He met Brin at Stanford University, where they developed a search engine that ranked pages based on their popularity.
Google was launched in 1998 and quickly became the world’s most popular search engine. Page served as CEO of Google and later Alphabet, Google’s parent company, until stepping down from his daily roles in 2019. His contributions to internet technology and his role in transforming Google into a global tech giant have made him one of the wealthiest individuals in the world.
7. Warren Buffett – Net Worth: $131 billion
Warren Buffett’s net worth is around $131 billion. Buffett, born on August 30, 1930, in Omaha, Nebraska, is one of the most successful investors of all time. Known as the “Oracle of Omaha,” Buffett is the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, a multinational conglomerate holding company. Buffett’s investment philosophy is centered on value investing, which involves buying undervalued companies with strong fundamentals.
Buffett began his investment career at a young age and has built a diverse portfolio that includes companies like Geico, Coca-Cola, and American Express. His disciplined approach to investing and his ability to identify profitable opportunities have earned him immense wealth and respect in the financial world. Buffett is also known for his philanthropy, having pledged to give away the majority of his fortune through the Giving Pledge.
8. Sergey Brin – Net Worth: $129.9 billion
Sergey Brin, born on August 21, 1973, in Moscow, Russia, is an internet entrepreneur and computer scientist who co-founded Google with Larry Page. Brin’s family emigrated to the United States when he was six years old, and he later attended Stanford University, where he met Page. Together, they developed the Google search engine, which revolutionized how people access information online.
Brin played a crucial role in Google’s development and growth, serving as president of Alphabet, Google’s parent company, until stepping down from his executive role in 2019. His contributions to internet technology and his involvement in various innovative projects have significantly contributed to his wealth.
9. Bill Gates – Net Worth: $127 billion
Bill Gates, born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington, is the co-founder of Microsoft, the world’s largest software company. Gates’ interest in computer programming began at a young age, and he co-founded Microsoft with Paul Allen in 1975. The company’s breakthrough came with the development of the MS-DOS operating system, followed by the Windows operating system, which became ubiquitous in personal computing.
Gates served as CEO of Microsoft until 2000 and remained actively involved in the company until 2008. He has since focused on philanthropy through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which aims to address global health and education issues. Gates’ contributions to technology and his philanthropic efforts have made him one of the most influential and wealthy individuals in the world.
10. Steve Ballmer – Net Worth: $117.1 billion
Steve Ballmer, born on March 24, 1956, in Detroit, Michigan, is the former CEO of Microsoft and the current owner of the Los Angeles Clippers. Ballmer joined Microsoft in 1980 after dropping out of Stanford’s MBA program and played a key role in the company’s growth. He became CEO in 2000, succeeding Bill Gates, and led the company through significant changes, including the expansion of its enterprise software and cloud computing services.
Ballmer retired as CEO in 2014 but remained on Microsoft’s board until later that year. He purchased the Los Angeles Clippers in 2014 and has been actively involved in the sports industry. Ballmer’s leadership at Microsoft and his investments in sports and technology have significantly contributed to his wealth.
