As a day trader, I’ve always been fascinated by the movers and shakers of the financial world. While I’m busy trying to catch the daily waves of the stock market, these titans are riding tsunamis of wealth that most of us can barely comprehend. That’s why I find it so intriguing to take a step back and look at the big picture – the individuals who have not just succeeded, but absolutely dominated in the realm of wealth creation.
2024 has been a year of significant shifts in the global economy, and with it, we’ve seen some interesting changes in the lineup of the world’s wealthiest individuals. From tech moguls to fashion tycoons, these billionaires have weathered economic storms and capitalized on emerging trends to amass fortunes that boggle the mind.
As someone who spends their days glued to stock tickers and financial news, I can’t help but marvel at the strategies and decisions that have led these individuals to the top. Their stories are not just about numbers on a balance sheet; they’re about vision, innovation, and sometimes, a bit of controversy.
So, let’s dive into the list of the top 10 richest people in the world for 2024 based on data from the Real-Time Billionaires List. Whether you’re a fellow trader, an aspiring entrepreneur, or just curious about the upper echelons of wealth, I promise you’ll find some fascinating insights. These are the people whose decisions can send ripples through the markets we trade in every day, and understanding their positions can give us a unique perspective on the global economic landscape.
1. Elon Musk – $274.7 billion
Elon Musk, the enigmatic entrepreneur and visionary, continues to hold the title of the world’s wealthiest person in 2024 with an estimated net worth of $274.7 billion. Born on June 28, 1971, in Pretoria, South Africa, Musk has become a household name through his involvement in groundbreaking companies and ambitious technological ventures.
Musk’s wealth primarily stems from his roles in Tesla and SpaceX. As the CEO of Tesla, he has revolutionized the electric vehicle industry and pushed for sustainable energy solutions. SpaceX, his private space exploration company, has made significant strides in reusable rocket technology and aims to make space travel more accessible. Beyond these flagship enterprises, Musk’s portfolio includes ownership of X Corp. (formerly Twitter), The Boring Company, xAI, and Neuralink, showcasing his diverse interests in technology and innovation.
In recent years, Musk’s acquisition of Twitter (now X) has been a subject of controversy, marked by significant employee layoffs and changes to the platform’s features. His influence extends beyond the business world, as he has become increasingly involved in American politics, notably supporting Donald Trump’s campaign in 2024. Despite the controversies, Musk’s impact on multiple industries and his ambitious vision for the future continue to solidify his position as one of the most influential figures of our time.
2. Larry Ellison – $211.7 billion
According to the Real-Time Billionaires List, Larry Ellison, the co-founder, executive chairman, and CTO of Oracle Corporation, holds the second spot on the list of the world’s wealthiest individuals with a net worth of $211.7 billion. Ellison’s journey to becoming one of the most successful tech entrepreneurs began in 1977 when he co-founded Oracle, which has since grown into one of the largest and most influential software companies in the world.
Known for his sharp business acumen and innovative thinking, Ellison has been described as having “the mind of an engineer, the curiosity of a thousand cats, and the humility to keep learning”. His influence extends beyond Oracle, as he has made significant investments in various industries and has been actively involved in philanthropic efforts, particularly through his foundation’s partnerships with global initiatives.
3. Jeff Bezos – $205.6 billion
Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, ranks third on the list of the world’s wealthiest individuals with a net worth of $205.6 billion. Born on January 12, 1964, Bezos has become synonymous with e-commerce and technological innovation. He founded Amazon in 1994, transforming it from an online bookstore to the world’s largest e-commerce and cloud computing company.
Beyond Amazon, Bezos owns The Washington Post and Blue Origin, an aerospace company focused on developing rockets for commercial space travel. His philanthropic efforts have gained attention in recent years, with notable donations to various causes. In 2021, he donated $100 million to the Obama Foundation and requested that the Obama Presidential Center’s plaza be named after John Lewis.
Bezos stepped down as CEO of Amazon in 2021 to focus on his other ventures and philanthropic work, including the Day 1 Fund and the Bezos Earth Fund. His continued influence in the tech industry and beyond is evident, as he remains one of the most recognizable and powerful figures in the business world.
4. Mark Zuckerberg – $198.3 billion
Mark Zuckerberg, born on May 14, 1984, is the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook). His net worth of $198.3 billion primarily stems from his stake in Meta.
Zuckerberg launched Facebook from his Harvard dorm room in 2004 at the age of 19. Under his leadership, Facebook has grown to nearly 3 billion monthly active users by 2023. He took the company public in 2012, owning about 12% of the stock at the time.
Known for his philanthropic efforts, Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan have committed to donating 99% of their Facebook shares through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. The initiative focuses on advancing human potential and promoting equality through investments in health, education, scientific research, and energy.
Zuckerberg’s wealth has seen significant fluctuations, with a notable increase of $55.6 billion since the start of 2024, bringing his total net worth to $198.3 billion. This surge in wealth is largely attributed to Meta’s strong performance and Zuckerberg’s strategic pivot towards artificial intelligence and the metaverse.
5. Bernard Arnault & family – $173.3 billion
Bernard Arnault, born on March 5, 1949, is a French business magnate and the chairman and CEO of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world’s largest luxury goods company.
Arnault’s journey to becoming one of the world’s wealthiest individuals began when he joined his father’s construction firm in 1971. In 1984, he acquired Financière Agache, a luxury goods company, and subsequently took control of Boussac Saint-Frères. His strategic acquisitions and business acumen led to the formation of LVMH in 1987 through the merger of Louis Vuitton with Moët Hennessy.
Under Arnault’s leadership, LVMH has grown to encompass around 60 subsidiaries managing 75 prestigious luxury brands, including Tiffany, Dior, Fendi, Givenchy, and Sephora. His business strategy focuses on decentralized control of brands, emphasizing creativity and quality.
Arnault’s net worth has seen significant fluctuations, reaching a peak of $233 billion in 2023 before settling at $173.3 billion in 2024. This decrease is partly due to a 20% drop in LVMH’s stock price, resulting in a $54 billion reduction in his net worth.
6. Warren Buffett – $143 billion
Warren Buffett, born on August 30, 1930, is an American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. Known as the “Oracle of Omaha,” Buffett is the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, a diversified holding company.
Buffett’s investing career began at a young age, filing his first tax return at 13. He studied under Benjamin Graham at Columbia University, developing his value investing philosophy. In 1956, he founded Buffett Partnership Ltd., and by 1965, he had taken control of Berkshire Hathaway, transforming it from a textile manufacturing firm into a diversified holding company.
Under Buffett’s leadership, Berkshire Hathaway has consistently outperformed the market, generating significant returns for shareholders. The company owns a diverse range of businesses, including insurance companies like Geico, energy companies, and retail companies like Dairy Queen.
Buffett is also known for his philanthropy, pledging to give away 99% of his wealth to charitable causes. He co-founded The Giving Pledge with Bill Gates in 2010, encouraging other billionaires to donate at least half of their wealth.
As of 2024, Buffett’s net worth stands at $143 billion, making him the 6th richest person in the world. His wealth increased by $28.79 billion compared to the previous year, despite a recent slight decrease of 0.6%.
7. Larry Page – $137.6 billion
Larry Page is an American computer scientist and internet entrepreneur best known as the co-founder of Google. Born on March 26, 1973, in East Lansing, Michigan, Page showed an early interest in computers and technology. He earned his bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from the University of Michigan and later pursued a master’s degree in computer science at Stanford University.
It was at Stanford where Page met Sergey Brin, and together they developed the PageRank algorithm, which became the foundation for Google’s search engine. In 1998, they co-founded Google, revolutionizing the way people access information online.
Page served as Google’s CEO from 2011 to 2015 and became the CEO of Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company, when it was formed in 2015. He stepped down from this role in 2019 but remains a board member and major shareholder.
Beyond Google, Page has invested in various futuristic technologies, particularly in the aviation sector. He has backed flying car startups like Kitty Hawk and Opener, demonstrating his commitment to pioneering new technologies.
As of 2024, Larry Page’s net worth stands at $137.6 billion, making him the 7th richest person in the world. The majority of his wealth comes from his stake in Alphabet Inc., which continues to be a major player in the tech industry.
8. Sergey Brin – $131.7 billion
Sergey Brin, born on August 21, 1973, in Moscow, Russia, is the co-founder of Google alongside Larry Page. Brin immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of six, settling in Maryland. He showed exceptional aptitude in mathematics and computer science from an early age.
Brin met Larry Page while pursuing his Ph.D. in computer science at Stanford University. Together, they developed the PageRank algorithm and co-founded Google in 1998. Brin served as the president of Google’s parent company, Alphabet Inc., until stepping down from the role on December 3, 2019.
Throughout his career, Brin has been involved in various innovative projects within Google, including the development of Google Glass. He has also shown interest in space exploration and has invested in Space Adventures, a space tourism company.
As of 2024, Sergey Brin’s net worth is estimated at $131.7 billion, placing him as the 8th richest person in the world. Like Page, the majority of Brin’s wealth comes from his significant stake in Alphabet Inc.
9. Amancio Ortega – $131.7 billion
Amancio Ortega is a Spanish fashion entrepreneur and founder of the Inditex fashion group, best known for its chain of Zara clothing and accessories shops. Born on March 28, 1936, in Busdongo de Arbás, León, Spain, Ortega came from humble beginnings.
Ortega started his career in the textile industry at the age of 14, working as a shop hand for a local shirtmaker. In 1963, he founded Confecciones Goa to sell quilted bathrobes. However, it was the establishment of his first Zara store in 1975 that set the foundation for his immense wealth.
Under Ortega’s leadership, Zara pioneered the fast fashion business model, quickly producing affordable clothing that follows the latest trends. Inditex, which includes other popular brands like Massimo Dutti and Pull&Bear, has grown to over 7,000 stores worldwide.
Beyond fashion, Ortega has diversified his investments, particularly in real estate. Through his investment company, Pontegadea, he owns prime properties in major cities around the world.
As of 2024, Amancio Ortega’s net worth is estimated at $131.7 billion, tying him with Sergey Brin as the 9th richest person in the world. Despite stepping down from his role as chairman of Inditex in 2011, Ortega still owns about 59% of the company’s shares.
10. Steve Ballmer – $125.8 billion
Steve Ballmer is an American businessman and investor who served as the CEO of Microsoft from 2000 to 2014. Born on March 24, 1956, in Detroit, Michigan, Ballmer showed early promise in mathematics and economics.
Ballmer met Bill Gates at Harvard University, where he was pursuing a degree in applied mathematics and economics. After a brief stint at Procter & Gamble, Ballmer joined Microsoft in 1980 as its 30th employee and first business manager.
During his tenure as CEO, Microsoft’s annual revenue surged from $25 billion to $70 billion, and its net income increased 215 percent to $23 billion. However, the company also faced criticism for falling behind competitors in mobile phones and internet search technology.
After retiring from Microsoft in 2014, Ballmer purchased the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team for $2 billion. He has also focused on philanthropy, creating the Ballmer Group with his wife to support efforts to improve economic mobility for children and families in the United States.
As of 2024, Steve Ballmer’s net worth is estimated at $125.8 billion, making him the 10th richest person in the world. Remarkably, this is the first time Ballmer’s net worth has surpassed that of Bill Gates, highlighting his successful post-Microsoft ventures and investments.
