As an estate planning attorney, I’ve spent years helping clients manage and protect their wealth. But even in my line of work, the fortunes amassed by the world’s wealthiest individuals never cease to amaze me. The year 2024 has brought some interesting shifts in the landscape of global wealth, and I’m excited to share with you the latest rundown of the top 10 richest people in the world based on data from the Real-Time Billionaires List.
In my profession, we often deal with complex financial structures and inheritance plans, but the scale of wealth we’re about to explore is truly mind-boggling. From tech moguls to fashion tycoons, this list showcases the diverse paths to extraordinary fortune. As we delve into the lives and achievements of these billionaires, it’s fascinating to consider not just the numbers, but also the innovation, determination, and sometimes sheer luck that have propelled them to the pinnacle of wealth.
1. Elon Musk – $304 billion
Elon Musk, the visionary entrepreneur and innovator, has solidified his position as the world’s wealthiest person with a staggering net worth of $304 billion as of November 2024. Born in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1971, Musk displayed an early aptitude for technology and business. He co-founded PayPal, which laid the foundation for his future success.
Musk’s wealth primarily stems from his leadership roles in Tesla and SpaceX. As CEO of Tesla, he revolutionized the electric vehicle industry, pushing for sustainable transportation and energy solutions. SpaceX, his private space exploration company, has made significant strides in reusable rocket technology and aims to colonize Mars. In October 2022, Musk acquired X (formerly Twitter) in a high-profile $44 billion deal, further diversifying his business portfolio.
Despite facing occasional controversies and market fluctuations, Musk’s net worth has shown remarkable resilience. His wealth surged significantly in 2024, partly due to Tesla’s strong stock performance and growing optimism surrounding his various ventures. Musk’s ambitious projects, including Neuralink and The Boring Company, continue to attract investor interest and contribute to his expanding fortune.
2. Larry Ellison – $230.7 billion
According to the Real-Time Billionaires List, Larry Ellison, the co-founder and executive chairman of Oracle Corporation, has ascended to become the second richest person in the world with a net worth of $230.7 billion as of November 2024. Born in New York City in 1944, Ellison’s journey to immense wealth began when he co-founded Oracle in 1977, which grew to become one of the largest software companies globally.
Under Ellison’s leadership, Oracle revolutionized database management systems and became a dominant force in enterprise software. His strategic vision led to numerous acquisitions, including the purchase of Sun Microsystems in 2009, which significantly expanded Oracle’s technology portfolio. Although he stepped down as CEO in 2014, Ellison continues to play a crucial role as the company’s chairman and chief technology officer.
Ellison’s wealth has seen substantial growth in recent years, largely due to Oracle’s strong performance in the cloud computing market. His stake in Oracle, coupled with investments in other tech companies and extensive real estate holdings, including 98% of the Hawaiian island of Lanai, contribute to his vast fortune. Known for his lavish lifestyle and philanthropic efforts, Ellison has pledged to give away most of his wealth through the Giving Pledge.
3. Jeff Bezos – $224.5 billion
Jeff Bezos, the founder and executive chairman of Amazon, holds the position of the third richest person in the world with a net worth of $224.5 billion as of November 2024. Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1964, Bezos founded Amazon in 1994 as an online bookstore, which he grew into the world’s largest e-commerce and cloud computing company.
Bezos’s wealth is primarily tied to his significant stake in Amazon, which has experienced phenomenal growth over the years. Under his leadership, Amazon expanded into various sectors, including cloud computing (Amazon Web Services), artificial intelligence, and digital streaming. In 2013, Bezos acquired The Washington Post for $250 million, adding media to his diverse portfolio.
Although he stepped down as Amazon’s CEO in 2021, Bezos remains highly influential in the company’s strategic decisions. His other ventures, such as the aerospace company Blue Origin, reflect his long-term vision and contribute to his vast wealth. Bezos has also been active in philanthropy, pledging billions to combat climate change and support various charitable causes. Despite occasional fluctuations in Amazon’s stock price, Bezos’s net worth has remained consistently high, cementing his status as one of the world’s wealthiest individuals.
4. Mark Zuckerberg – $203.8 billion
Mark Zuckerberg, the tech wunderkind who revolutionized social media, holds the fourth position among the world’s wealthiest individuals with a net worth of $203.8 billion as of November 2024. Born in White Plains, New York, in 1984, Zuckerberg’s journey to immense wealth began in his Harvard dorm room where he co-founded Facebook in 2004.
Under Zuckerberg’s leadership, Facebook evolved from a college networking site into a global social media giant, later rebranding as Meta Platforms. The company’s portfolio expanded to include Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus VR, solidifying its dominance in the social media and digital communication landscape. Zuckerberg’s wealth primarily stems from his significant stake in Meta, which has seen substantial growth despite facing regulatory challenges and public scrutiny over privacy concerns.
In recent years, Zuckerberg has been at the forefront of developing the “metaverse,” a virtual reality-based successor to the mobile internet. This ambitious project, while initially met with skepticism, has gained traction and contributed to Meta’s stock surge in 2024. Despite controversies surrounding social media’s impact on society, Zuckerberg’s net worth has shown remarkable resilience, reflecting the enduring influence of the platforms he created.
5. Bernard Arnault & family – $164.6 billion
Bernard Arnault, the French business magnate and art collector, stands as the fifth richest person globally, with a family net worth of $164.6 billion as of November 2024. Born in Roubaix, France, in 1949, Arnault’s path to extraordinary wealth began when he took over his father’s construction firm in 1979 and subsequently ventured into the luxury goods sector.
Arnault’s fortune is primarily derived from his position as Chairman and CEO of LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy), the world’s largest luxury goods company. Under his leadership, LVMH has acquired and revitalized numerous prestigious brands, including Christian Dior, Fendi, and Bulgari. Arnault’s strategic acumen in managing and expanding this portfolio of high-end brands has been key to LVMH’s success and his family’s wealth accumulation.
In recent years, Arnault has focused on expanding LVMH’s presence in emerging markets and adapting to the digital age, ensuring the company’s continued growth. His children are also involved in various aspects of the business, solidifying the family’s control over the luxury empire. Despite global economic fluctuations, the luxury sector’s resilience and LVMH’s strong performance have contributed to the Arnault family’s substantial net worth.
6. Larry Page – $147.7 billion
Larry Page, co-founder of Google and former CEO of its parent company Alphabet Inc., ranks as the sixth wealthiest person globally with a net worth of $147.7 billion as of November 2024. Born in East Lansing, Michigan, in 1973, Page’s journey to immense wealth began when he co-founded Google with Sergey Brin in 1998, revolutionizing internet search and digital advertising.
Page’s wealth primarily stems from his significant stake in Alphabet Inc., which has grown far beyond its initial search engine roots. Under his leadership, Google expanded into various tech sectors, including mobile operating systems (Android), cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. Page served as Google’s CEO from 2011 to 2015 and as CEO of Alphabet from 2015 to 2019, overseeing the company’s restructuring and diversification.
Although Page stepped down from his executive role at Alphabet in 2019, he remains a board member and controlling shareholder. His wealth has continued to grow due to Alphabet’s strong market performance and its dominance in the digital advertising space. Page has also invested in flying car startups and other futuristic ventures, reflecting his ongoing interest in transformative technologies. Despite maintaining a relatively low public profile in recent years, Page’s influence in the tech world and his substantial net worth underscore the enduring impact of his innovations.
7. Warren Buffett – $145.9 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 $145.9 billion as of November 2024. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1930, Buffett displayed an early aptitude for business and investing, buying his first stock at the age of 11. His journey to immense wealth began in earnest when he took control of Berkshire Hathaway in 1965, transforming it from a struggling textile company into a diversified conglomerate.
Buffett’s investment philosophy, centered on value investing and long-term holdings, has been the cornerstone of his success. Under his leadership, Berkshire Hathaway has become a powerhouse, with significant stakes in major companies across various sectors. Despite his vast wealth, Buffett is known for his frugal lifestyle and commitment to philanthropy. In 2006, he pledged to give away 99% of his wealth to charitable causes, primarily through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
At 94 years old, Buffett continues to serve as the CEO and Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway. His annual shareholder meetings, often called the “Woodstock for Capitalists,” attract thousands of investors seeking his wisdom. Buffett’s influence extends beyond investing, as he is frequently consulted on economic matters and has become a symbol of American capitalism and financial acumen.
8. Sergey Brin – $141.1 billion
Sergey Brin, the Russian-born American computer scientist and internet entrepreneur, has amassed a fortune of $141.1 billion as of November 2024. Born in Moscow in 1973, Brin immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of six. His journey to extraordinary wealth began when he co-founded Google with Larry Page in 1998, while they were both Ph.D. students at Stanford University.
Brin’s innovative approach to search engine technology revolutionized the internet and laid the foundation for Google’s dominance in the digital world. As the company expanded beyond search into various tech sectors, including mobile operating systems (Android), cloud computing, and artificial intelligence, Brin’s wealth grew exponentially. He served as the president of Google’s parent company, Alphabet Inc., until stepping down in December 2019.
Despite no longer holding an executive position, Brin remains a controlling shareholder and board member of Alphabet. His wealth continues to grow through his significant stake in the company, as well as investments in other ventures, including clean energy technologies and research into Parkinson’s disease. Brin is also known for his interest in cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence and space exploration.
9. Jensen Huang – $128.7 billion
Jensen Huang, the Taiwanese-American entrepreneur and electrical engineer, has seen his net worth soar to $128.7 billion as of November 2024, making him one of the wealthiest individuals in the tech industry. Born in Tainan, Taiwan, in 1963, Huang moved to the United States at the age of nine. His path to immense wealth began when he co-founded NVIDIA Corporation in 1993, revolutionizing computer graphics technology.
Under Huang’s leadership as CEO, NVIDIA has transformed from a graphics chip company into a powerhouse in artificial intelligence, data centers, and autonomous vehicles. The company’s innovations in GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) technology have been pivotal in advancing fields such as deep learning and cryptocurrency mining. NVIDIA’s stock price has seen meteoric rises in recent years, particularly due to the AI boom, directly contributing to Huang’s rapidly growing net worth.
Huang’s success is not only reflected in his wealth but also in his influence on the tech industry. He is widely recognized for his visionary leadership and ability to anticipate and capitalize on emerging technological trends. Despite his immense wealth, Huang is known for his relatively modest lifestyle and his focus on innovation and long-term company growth.
10. Amancio Ortega – $128.5 billion
Amancio Ortega, the Spanish fashion tycoon, has accumulated a fortune of $128.5 billion as of November 2024, cementing his position among the world’s wealthiest individuals. Born in Busdongo de Arbás, Spain, in 1936, Ortega’s journey to extraordinary wealth began from humble origins. He started his career as a shop hand for a local shirtmaker before founding Confecciones Goa to sell quilted bathrobes.
Ortega’s breakthrough came in 1975 when he opened the first Zara store with his late wife, Rosalía Mera. This marked the beginning of what would become Inditex, one of the world’s largest fashion retailers. Under Ortega’s leadership, Inditex expanded to include brands such as Massimo Dutti, Pull&Bear, and Bershka, revolutionizing the fast-fashion industry with its rapid production and distribution model.
Despite his immense wealth, Ortega is known for maintaining a low profile and leading a relatively simple lifestyle. He stepped down as chairman of Inditex in 2011 but remains a major shareholder. Ortega’s fortune is not limited to fashion; he has diversified his wealth through significant real estate investments in prime locations worldwide. His philanthropic efforts include substantial donations to cancer research and education in Spain.
