As a business consultant who has spent years advising entrepreneurs and corporate leaders, I’ve witnessed firsthand the ever-shifting landscape of global wealth. The year 2024 brings us yet another fascinating snapshot of the world’s financial elite, showcasing not just immense fortunes, but the innovative minds and relentless drive behind them.
In this article, we’ll delve into the lives and achievements of the top 10 richest people in the world based on data from the Real-Time Billionaires List. These individuals aren’t just wealthy; they’re visionaries who have reshaped entire industries and, in many cases, altered the very fabric of our daily lives. From tech moguls to retail giants, each person on this list has a unique story of ambition, risk-taking, and unprecedented success.
1. Elon Musk – $264.7 billion
Elon Musk, the South African-born American entrepreneur, continues to hold the title of the world’s richest person in 2024 with a staggering net worth of $264.7 billion. Musk’s wealth primarily stems from his leadership roles in multiple groundbreaking companies. As the CEO and largest shareholder of Tesla, the electric vehicle and clean energy company, Musk has revolutionized the automotive industry and pushed for sustainable transportation solutions.
In addition to Tesla, Musk’s fortune is bolstered by his position as founder and CEO of SpaceX, the private space exploration company that has made significant strides in reusable rocket technology and aims to colonize Mars. Musk’s portfolio also includes leadership roles in Neuralink, a neurotechnology company developing brain-computer interfaces, and The Boring Company, which focuses on infrastructure and tunnel construction.
Musk’s net worth has seen dramatic fluctuations over the years, influenced by the performance of Tesla’s stock and his acquisition of Twitter (now X) in 2022. Despite controversies and legal challenges, including a high-profile lawsuit with the SEC, Musk’s innovative vision and the success of his companies have kept him at the forefront of technological advancement and wealth accumulation.
2. Jeff Bezos – $216.5 billion
Jeff Bezos, the founder and executive chairman of Amazon, holds the second position on the list of the world’s wealthiest individuals with a net worth of $216.5 billion. Bezos founded Amazon in 1994 as an online bookstore, which has since grown into the world’s largest e-commerce and cloud computing company.
Bezos stepped down as CEO of Amazon in 2021 but remains executive chairman and a major shareholder. His wealth is primarily tied to his Amazon stock, but he has diversified his investments through his venture capital firm, Bezos Expeditions. In 2013, Bezos acquired The Washington Post for $250 million, adding media to his portfolio.
3. Larry Ellison – $209.1 billion
According to the Real-Time Billionaires List, Larry Ellison, co-founder, executive chairman, and CTO of Oracle Corporation, ranks third on the list with a net worth of $209.1 billion. Ellison’s journey to becoming one of the world’s wealthiest individuals began in 1977 when he co-founded Software Development Laboratories, which later became Oracle Corporation.
Under Ellison’s leadership, Oracle grew to dominate the database software market. His wealth has seen significant growth in recent years, largely due to Oracle’s strong performance in the artificial intelligence sector and the company’s impressive stock surge. Ellison’s strategic focus on AI and cloud computing has resonated with investors, driving up Oracle’s stock price and, consequently, his net worth.
Ellison is known for his lavish lifestyle, including owning luxury real estate and the Hawaiian island of Lanai. He has also made substantial philanthropic contributions, particularly in medical research and education.
4. Mark Zuckerberg – $198 billion
Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder and CEO of Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook), has seen a remarkable surge in his net worth, reaching $198 billion in 2024. This significant increase has propelled him to the fourth position on the list of the world’s wealthiest individuals, surpassing Jeff Bezos. Zuckerberg’s wealth primarily stems from his 13% stake in Meta, which has experienced a substantial stock surge of nearly 70% in 2024.
Born on May 14, 1984, in White Plains, New York, Zuckerberg showed an early aptitude for computer programming. He launched Facebook from his Harvard dorm room in 2004, quickly expanding it beyond the university’s confines. Zuckerberg’s decision to drop out of Harvard and focus on Facebook full-time proved pivotal, as he relocated to Palo Alto, California, to develop the platform further.
Under Zuckerberg’s leadership, Meta has grown into a tech giant encompassing popular platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. His vision extends beyond social media, with significant investments in virtual and augmented reality technologies, including the acquisition of Oculus VR in 2014. In 2021, Zuckerberg rebranded Facebook, Inc. as Meta Platforms, Inc., signaling a strategic shift towards building the metaverse.
Zuckerberg’s influence extends beyond the tech world. Together with his wife, Priscilla Chan, he established the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, a philanthropic organization focusing on education, science, and community development. The couple has pledged to donate 99% of their Facebook shares to charitable causes over their lifetimes.
5. Bernard Arnault & family – $168 billion
Bernard Arnault, the chairman and CEO of LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton), holds the fifth position on the list with a net worth of $168 billion. Arnault’s journey to becoming one of the world’s wealthiest individuals began in 1971 when he joined his father’s construction company, Ferret-Savinel.
In 1984, Arnault acquired Financière Agache, a luxury goods company, marking his entry into the high-end retail sector. He later restructured Boussac Saint-Frères, retaining only Christian Dior and Le Bon Marché. Arnault co-founded LVMH in 1987 and gained control of the company in 1989, leading its expansion into a global luxury powerhouse.
Under Arnault’s leadership, LVMH has acquired numerous prestigious brands, including Céline, Berluti, Kenzo, Guerlain, Fendi, and Tiffany & Co. His business acumen and strategic vision have transformed LVMH into one of the largest luxury groups in the world, with a diverse portfolio spanning fashion, cosmetics, and spirits.
6. Larry Page – $141 billion
Larry Page, co-founder of Google and former CEO of its parent company Alphabet, ranks sixth on the list with a net worth of $141 billion. Born on March 26, 1973, in East Lansing, Michigan, Page grew up in a household steeped in computer science, with both parents teaching the subject at Michigan State University.
Page co-founded Google with Sergey Brin in 1998 while pursuing his Ph.D. at Stanford University. Their mission was “to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful”. Page served as Google’s CEO from its founding until 2001 and again from 2011 to 2015.
In 2015, Page became CEO of Alphabet, Google’s newly formed parent company, a position he held until December 2019. During his tenure, Page oversaw Google’s expansion into various technological domains, including the Android operating system, Google Chrome, and Google Drive.
Page’s innovative spirit extends beyond Google. He has invested in flying car startups Kitty Hawk and Opener, demonstrating his interest in futuristic transportation technologies. Despite stepping down from his executive roles at Alphabet, Page remains a board member and controlling shareholder, continuing to influence the company’s strategic direction.
7. Warren Buffett – $139.8 billion
Warren Buffett, often referred to as the “Oracle of Omaha,” is one of the most successful investors in history and currently ranks as the 7th wealthiest person globally with a net worth of $139.8 billion. Born in 1930 in Omaha, Nebraska, Buffett displayed an aptitude for business and investing from a young age, buying his first stock at just 11 years old.
Buffett’s wealth primarily stems from his position as CEO and largest shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway, a conglomerate that owns a diverse portfolio of businesses and investments. Under his leadership, Berkshire Hathaway has achieved remarkable long-term growth, with its stock price increasing by over 3,600,000% since 1964.
Despite his immense wealth, Buffett is known for his frugal lifestyle. He still lives in the same modest home in Omaha that he purchased in 1958 for $31,500. Buffett is also a renowned philanthropist, having pledged to give away 99% of his wealth to charitable causes during his lifetime or upon his death.
8. Sergey Brin – $135 billion
Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google and former president of its parent company Alphabet, holds the 8th position on the list of the world’s wealthiest individuals with a net worth of $135 billion. Born in Moscow in 1973, Brin immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of six.
Brin’s journey to becoming one of the world’s richest people began when he met Larry Page at Stanford University while pursuing his Ph.D. in computer science. Together, they developed the idea for Google, which they founded in 1998. Google’s innovative search engine and subsequent expansion into various technology sectors have been the primary drivers of Brin’s wealth.
Although Brin stepped down from his role as president of Alphabet in 2019, he remains a controlling shareholder and board member. He has also shown interest in other technological ventures, including flying cars and artificial intelligence research.
9. Amancio Ortega – $128.5 billion
Amancio Ortega, the Spanish fashion tycoon, ranks 9th on the list of the world’s wealthiest individuals with a net worth of $128.5 billion. Ortega is the founder and former chairman of Inditex, the world’s largest clothing retailer, which owns popular brands such as Zara, Pull&Bear, and Massimo Dutti.
Born in 1936 to a railway worker in Spain, Ortega’s rags-to-riches story is one of remarkable entrepreneurial success. He started his career as a shop hand for a local shirtmaker and went on to found Zara with his ex-wife Rosalía Mera in 1975. Ortega’s innovative “fast fashion” business model, which quickly brings runway styles to stores at affordable prices, revolutionized the retail industry.
Despite his immense wealth, Ortega is known for his modest lifestyle and aversion to publicity. He stepped down as chairman of Inditex in 2011 but continues to own a majority stake in the company. Ortega has also diversified his wealth through substantial investments in real estate across major cities worldwide.
10. Steve Ballmer – $122.1 billion
Steve Ballmer, the former CEO of Microsoft and current owner of the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team, rounds out the top 10 wealthiest individuals with a net worth of $122.1 billion. Born in 1956 in Detroit, Michigan, Ballmer’s path to immense wealth began when he joined Microsoft in 1980 as employee number 30.
Ballmer served as CEO of Microsoft from 2000 to 2014, overseeing the company’s growth during a critical period in the tech industry. Under his leadership, Microsoft’s annual revenue surged from $23 billion to $77 billion. Despite some criticisms of missed opportunities in areas like mobile and search, Ballmer’s tenure saw Microsoft solidify its position as a dominant force in the tech world.
After retiring from Microsoft, Ballmer purchased the Los Angeles Clippers NBA team for $2 billion in 2014. He has also founded the Ballmer Group with his wife Connie, focusing on philanthropic efforts to improve economic mobility for children and families in the United States. Known for his energetic personality, Ballmer continues to be an influential figure in both the tech and sports worlds.
