Elon Musk starts 2025 as the wealthiest person on the planet, with a groundbreaking fortune exceeding $400 billion, as reported by Forbes on January 1.
The Tesla and SpaceX mogul tops a list of global billionaires whose combined wealth now totals $1.9 trillion, up from $1.8 trillion in December 2024.
These top-tier billionaires, primarily from the tech, retail, and luxury goods sectors, continue to dominate industries and influence global markets significantly.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang makes his debut in the top 10, reflecting the booming semiconductor industry.
Below is the updated list of the world’s richest individuals:
1. Elon Musk
– Net Worth: $421.2 billion
– Source of Wealth: Tesla, SpaceX, X, xAI
– Age: 53
– Citizenship: U.S.
Musk’s fortune saw a $91 billion boost in December due to SpaceX’s valuation hitting $350 billion.
His recent appointment as co-head of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) by President Donald Trump further solidified his prominence.
2. Jeff Bezos
– Net Worth: $233.5 billion
– Source of Wealth: Amazon
– Age: 60
– Citizenship: U.S.
Bezos reclaimed the second spot after Amazon’s stock rose 5% in December, increasing his wealth by $10 billion.
3. Larry Ellison
– Net Worth: $209.7 billion
– Source of Wealth: Oracle
– Age: 80
– Citizenship: U.S
Despite Oracle’s stock slump resulting in a $17 billion loss, Ellison remains firmly in third place.
4. Mark Zuckerberg
– Net Worth: $202.5 billion
– Source of Wealth: Meta
– Age: 40
– Citizenship: U.S.
Meta’s stock price increase of 1.9% nudged Zuckerberg’s fortune slightly higher.
5. Bernard Arnault
– Net Worth: $168.8 billion
– Source of Wealth: LVMH
– Age: 75
– Citizenship: France
The luxury goods titan enjoyed an $8.5 billion rise thanks to LVMH’s stock performance.
6. Larry Page
– Net Worth: $157.9 billion
– Source of Wealth: Google (Alphabet)
– Age: 51
– Citizenship: U.S.
Google’s co-founder maintains his position among the elite wealthiest individuals globally.
7. Sergey Brin
– Net Worth: $153.4 billion
– Source of Wealth: Google (Alphabet)
– Age: 50
– Citizenship: U.S.
Brin’s wealth reflects Alphabet’s sustained dominance in the tech industry.
8. Warren Buffett
– Net Worth: $139.6 billion
– Source of Wealth: Berkshire Hathaway
– Age: 94
– Citizenship: U.S.
Buffett’s wealth declined by $8.9 billion due to a 6% drop in Berkshire Hathaway’s stock in December.
9. Steve Ballmer
– Net Worth: $123.5 billion
– Source of Wealth: Microsoft
– Age: 68
– Citizenship: U.S.
The former Microsoft CEO and Los Angeles Clippers owner saw a $500 million decrease in his fortune but remains in the top 10.
10. Jensen Huang
– Net Worth: $118 billion
– Source of Wealth: Nvidia
– Age: 61
– Citizenship: U.S.
Nvidia’s stock surged by 171% in 2024, securing Huang’s place among the world’s wealthiest for the first time.
Key Highlights
– Nine of the top 10 billionaires are American citizens, and all are male.
– Musk’s unparalleled fortune is heavily linked to his stakes in Tesla, SpaceX, and other ventures.
– The rankings fluctuate based on market trends, showcasing the dynamic nature of global wealth.
These billionaires’ influence spans technology, luxury goods, and beyond, shaping economies and industries worldwide.