As an online marketer, 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 not only amassed vast fortunes but have also shaped our world through innovation, business acumen, and sheer determination. That’s why I’m excited to dive into the list of the Top 10 Richest People in the World for 2024 based on data from the Real-Time Billionaires List.
This year’s lineup is a testament to the power of technology, retail, and smart investments. From tech visionaries who’ve revolutionized how we communicate and access information, to retail moguls who’ve transformed the way we shop, these billionaires have left an indelible mark on our daily lives.
1. Elon Musk – $264.7 billion
Elon Musk, the South African-born 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 ownership stakes in Tesla, the electric vehicle and clean energy company, and SpaceX, the private space exploration firm.
Musk’s journey to becoming the wealthiest individual on the planet has been nothing short of remarkable. His entrepreneurial success began with the sale of PayPal to eBay in 2002, which netted him $175.8 million. Since then, Musk’s net worth has grown exponentially, driven largely by the meteoric rise of Tesla’s stock price. In 2020 alone, his wealth increased by $150 billion, catapulting him to the top of the global wealth rankings.
Despite his enormous wealth, Musk has often described himself as “cash poor” and claims to have little interest in material possessions. He has stated that his wealth accumulation is aimed at funding humanity’s expansion into space. Musk’s financial affairs are managed by his family office, Excession LLC, which was formed in 2016.
2. Jeff Bezos – $216.5 billion
Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, holds the second position on the list of the world’s wealthiest individuals with a net worth of $216.5 billion. Bezos’s journey to immense wealth began with the founding of Amazon in 1994, which has since grown to become the world’s largest e-commerce and cloud computing company.
Born on January 12, 1964, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Bezos showed an early interest in computers and technology. After graduating from Princeton University, he worked on Wall Street before leaving to start Amazon from his garage. Under his leadership, Amazon expanded from an online bookstore to a global marketplace offering a vast array of products and services.
Bezos’s wealth has seen significant fluctuations over the years. He held the title of the world’s richest person intermittently from 2017 to 2021, with his net worth exceeding $200 billion in August 2020. Although he stepped down as CEO of Amazon in July 2021, Bezos continues to serve as the company’s executive chairman. He has diversified his investments, including the purchase of The Washington Post in 2013 for $250 million and the creation of his space exploration company, Blue Origin.
3. Larry Ellison – $209.1 billion
According to the Real-Time Billionaires List, Larry Ellison, the co-founder and former CEO of Oracle Corporation, ranks third on the list of the world’s wealthiest individuals with a net worth of $209.1 billion. Ellison’s rise to extreme wealth is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and technological innovation in the field of database management and cloud computing.
Born on August 17, 1944, in New York City, Ellison had a challenging upbringing. Adopted by his aunt and uncle, he grew up in Chicago’s South Side. Despite dropping out of college twice, Ellison’s natural aptitude for programming led him to various tech jobs in California. In 1977, he co-founded Software Development Laboratories, which later became Oracle Corporation.
Under Ellison’s leadership, Oracle grew to dominate the database software market. In recent years, the company’s strong performance in artificial intelligence and cloud computing has significantly boosted its stock price and, consequently, Ellison’s net worth. Oracle’s strategic focus on building data centers for AI technologies has resonated well with investors, contributing to Ellison’s wealth surge. Despite stepping down as CEO, Ellison continues to play a crucial role in Oracle’s success as the company’s chairman and chief technology officer.
4. Mark Zuckerberg – $198 billion
Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder and CEO of Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook), has solidified his position as one of the world’s wealthiest individuals with a net worth of $198 billion. Born on May 14, 1984, in White Plains, New York, Zuckerberg’s journey to becoming a tech titan began in his Harvard dorm room where he created Facebook in 2004.
Under Zuckerberg’s leadership, Facebook has grown into a global social media powerhouse, with Meta Platforms now encompassing other popular platforms such as Instagram and WhatsApp. The company’s success has been largely driven by its advertising revenue model, which capitalizes on the vast amount of user data collected across its platforms. Zuckerberg’s wealth is primarily tied to his approximately 13% stake in Meta Platforms, which has seen significant growth over the years.
Despite facing numerous controversies and challenges, including concerns over user privacy and the spread of misinformation, Zuckerberg has continued to innovate and expand Meta’s reach. He has been particularly focused on developing the “metaverse,” a virtual reality-based successor to the mobile internet. Zuckerberg’s philanthropic efforts are also noteworthy, with he and his wife Priscilla Chan pledging to give away 99% of their Meta shares over their lifetime through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
5. Bernard Arnault & family – $168 billion
Bernard Arnault, the French business magnate and art collector, stands as one of the world’s wealthiest individuals with a net worth of $168 billion. Born on March 5, 1949, in Roubaix, France, Arnault has built his fortune as the chairman and CEO of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world’s largest luxury goods company.
Arnault’s journey to the top of the luxury goods industry began in 1984 when he acquired Financière Agache, a luxury goods company. He then strategically acquired Christian Dior and subsequently gained control of LVMH in 1989. Under his leadership, LVMH has grown to encompass over 75 prestigious brands, including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Fendi, Givenchy, and Tiffany & Co.
Known for his business acumen and strategic acquisitions, Arnault has transformed LVMH into a global powerhouse with a market capitalization of over 313 billion euros as of May 2021. His success is attributed to his ability to maintain the exclusivity and heritage of luxury brands while expanding their global reach. Arnault’s wealth has seen significant fluctuations, with his net worth reaching a peak of $233 billion in 2023, briefly making him the world’s richest person.
6. Larry Page – $141 billion
Larry Page, co-founder of Google and former CEO of its parent company Alphabet Inc., has amassed a fortune of $141 billion. Born on March 26, 1973, in East Lansing, Michigan, Page’s journey to becoming one of the world’s wealthiest individuals is deeply intertwined with the rise of the internet and digital technology.
Page co-founded Google in 1998 with Sergey Brin, revolutionizing the way people access and interact with information online. Under his leadership, Google expanded beyond its core search engine business into various other areas, including mobile operating systems (Android), web browsers (Chrome), and productivity tools (Google Workspace). In 2015, Page oversaw the restructuring of Google into Alphabet Inc., allowing for greater focus on diverse projects ranging from autonomous vehicles (Waymo) to life sciences (Verily).
Page’s wealth primarily stems from his shares in Alphabet Inc., but he has also made significant investments in cutting-edge technologies and startups, particularly in fields such as renewable energy and space exploration. Despite stepping down as CEO of Alphabet in 2019, Page remains a board member and continues to influence the company’s strategic direction. Known for his forward-thinking approach and commitment to solving global challenges through technology, Page’s legacy extends beyond his financial success to his contributions to technological innovation and philanthropy.
7. Warren Buffett – $139.8 billion
Warren Buffett, often referred to as the “Oracle of Omaha,” has solidified his position as one of the world’s most successful investors with a net worth of $139.8 billion. Born on August 30, 1930, in Omaha, Nebraska, Buffett’s journey to becoming a financial titan began at a young age when he first purchased stocks at 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. His investment philosophy, focused on value investing and long-term growth, has consistently outperformed the market. Despite his immense wealth, Buffett is known for his frugal lifestyle, still residing in the same Omaha home he purchased in 1958 for $31,500.
Throughout his career, Buffett has demonstrated an uncanny ability to identify undervalued companies and make profitable investments. His annual letters to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders are eagerly anticipated by investors worldwide for their insights and wisdom. Buffett’s commitment to philanthropy is equally notable, having pledged to give away more than 99% of his wealth to charitable causes.
8. Sergey Brin – $135 billion
Sergey Brin, the co-founder of Google and former president of its parent company Alphabet Inc., has amassed a fortune of $135 billion. Born on August 21, 1973, in Moscow, Russia, Brin immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of six.
Brin’s journey to becoming one of the world’s wealthiest individuals began at Stanford University, where he met Larry Page. Together, they developed the PageRank algorithm, which became the foundation for Google’s search engine. In 1998, they co-founded Google, revolutionizing how people access and interact with information online.
Under Brin’s leadership, Google expanded beyond its core search engine business into various other areas, including mobile operating systems (Android), web browsers (Chrome), and productivity tools (Google Workspace). Although he stepped down from his role as president of Alphabet in 2019, Brin remains a controlling shareholder and board member. His wealth is primarily tied to his stake in Alphabet, but he has also made significant investments in cutting-edge technologies, particularly in fields such as renewable energy and space exploration.
9. Amancio Ortega – $128.5 billion
Amancio Ortega, the Spanish fashion tycoon and founder of Inditex, the parent company of Zara, has built a retail empire that has propelled his net worth to $128.5 billion. Born on March 28, 1936, in Busdongo de Arbás, Spain, Ortega’s rise from humble beginnings to becoming one of the world’s wealthiest individuals is a testament to his business acumen and innovative approach to fashion retail.
Ortega’s journey in the fashion industry began in 1963 when he started manufacturing textiles through a small family company. In 1975, he opened the first Zara store in A Coruña, Spain, which would become the cornerstone of his vast retail empire. Ortega’s innovative “fast fashion” model, which quickly brings runway trends to stores at affordable prices, revolutionized the retail industry.
Under Ortega’s leadership, Inditex has grown to encompass eight brands, including Zara, Pull&Bear, and Massimo Dutti, with over 7,000 stores worldwide. Despite his enormous wealth, Ortega is known for his modest lifestyle and reluctance to give interviews. He stepped down as chairman of Inditex in 2011 but remains the company’s largest shareholder. Ortega has also diversified his wealth through substantial investments in real estate across Europe and North America.
10. Steve Ballmer – $122.1 billion
Steve Ballmer, the former CEO of Microsoft and current owner of the Los Angeles Clippers NBA team, has accumulated a fortune of $122.1 billion. Born on March 24, 1956, in Detroit, Michigan, Ballmer’s path to becoming one of the world’s wealthiest individuals is closely tied to the rise of personal computing and his long tenure at Microsoft.
Ballmer joined Microsoft in 1980 as employee number 30 and the company’s first business manager. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming president in 1998 and CEO in 2000, succeeding Bill Gates. During his 14-year tenure as CEO, Ballmer oversaw Microsoft’s expansion into enterprise computing, the launch of the Xbox gaming console, and the company’s foray into cloud computing.
Despite facing criticism for Microsoft’s slow adaptation to mobile and search technologies, Ballmer’s leadership saw the company’s revenue triple. After retiring from Microsoft in 2014, Ballmer purchased the Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion. He remains Microsoft’s largest individual shareholder, with his wealth primarily tied to his stake in the company. Ballmer is also known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly through the Ballmer Group, which he founded with his wife to improve economic mobility for children and families in the United States.