Richest World's Billionaires List 2024 - GeeksforGeeks (2024)

The richest billionaires in the world hold an incredible amount of wealth, influence, and power. In 2024, there are 2,781 billionaires globally, each playing a significant role in shaping the global economy and driving innovation across various industries. Among them, Elon Musk stands out as the richest person in the world with a net worth of $252 billion, thanks to his leadership at Tesla and SpaceX.

Most of the world’s top billionaires have made their fortunes in technology, including notable names like Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Bill Gates (Microsoft), and Larry Ellison (Oracle). However, billionaires from other sectors, such as Bernard Arnault (LVMH) in fashion and retail and Warren Buffett (Berkshire Hathaway) in investments, also feature prominently on this exclusive list.

Billionaires often use their wealth in smart ways to avoid paying high taxes. They might borrow money against their investments instead of selling stock, which helps them pay less in taxes on capital gains. Some even use special tax deductions to pay little or no income tax.

The wealth of these billionaires changes frequently because most of their money is in stocks. The value of their wealth goes up and down with the stock market.

Richest Billionaires in the World 2024

1. Elon Musk

• Age: 53
• Residence: United States
• Co-founder and CEO: Tesla
• Net Worth: $244 billion
• Tesla Ownership Stake: 13% ($95.4 billion)
• X Ownership Stake: 79% ($7.68 billion)
• Other Assets: SpaceX ($82.2 billion), The Boring Company ($3.33 billion), Neuralink ($2.07 billion), xAI ($13.3 billion)

Elon Musk is the richest person in the world. Born in South Africa, he moved to Canada to study, then transferred to the University of Pennsylvania in the U.S. He earned degrees in physics and economics. Musk started his career by founding Zip2, an early online navigation company, and later founded X.com, which became PayPal.

Musk invested in Tesla in 2004, becoming its CEO and helping it become a leader in electric vehicles. Tesla also makes energy storage products and solar power systems. Musk is also the CEO of SpaceX, which develops rockets for space exploration. In 2022, Musk bought a major stake in X (formerly Twitter), holding 79% of the company.

Also Check – Elon Musk (Biography, Latest News, Companies, Wife and Children)

2. Bernard Arnault

• Age: 75
• Residence: France
• CEO and Chair: LVMH
• Net Worth: $201 billion
• LVMH Ownership Stake: 48% ($170 billion)
• Other Assets: $16 billion in cash

Bernard Arnault is the CEO and chair of LVMH, the world’s largest luxury goods company, which owns brands like Louis Vuitton, Sephora, and Hennessey. Arnault built his wealth through smart investments and acquisitions in the luxury sector. He initially started in his family’s construction business before shifting to luxury goods in the 1980s.

3. Jeff Bezos

• Age: 60
• Residence: United States
• Founder and Executive Chair: Amazon
• Net Worth: $200 billion
• Amazon Ownership Stake: 9% ($174 billion)
• Other Assets: Blue Origin ($15 billion), The Washington Post ($250 million), Koru ($500 million), and $19.9 billion in cash

Jeff Bezos founded Amazon in 1994 as an online bookstore, which quickly grew into the world’s largest online retailer. He stepped down as CEO in 2021 but remains involved as Executive Chair. Amazon has expanded into many areas, including cloud computing and groceries, and acquired companies like Whole Foods. Bezos also owns the space exploration company Blue Origin and the newspaper The Washington Post.

4. Mark Zuckerberg

• Age: 40
• Residence: United States
• CEO and Chair: Meta Platforms
• Net Worth: $188 billion
• Meta Platforms Ownership Stake: 13% ($164 billion)
• Other Assets: $5.10 billion in cash

Mark Zuckerberg co-founded Facebook (now Meta) in 2004 while at Harvard University. Meta owns major social media platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp. Zuckerberg has also ventured into virtual reality with Oculus and workplace software with Workplace. He and his wife founded the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, focusing on technology-driven philanthropy.

5. Bill Gates

• Age: 68
• Residence: United States
• Co-founder: Microsoft
• Net Worth: $159 billion
• Microsoft Ownership Stake: 1% ($27.1 billion)
• Other Assets: Various investments totaling billions

Bill Gates co-founded Microsoft in 1975 and led the company to become the largest software maker globally. Gates is heavily involved in philanthropy through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, focusing on global health, education, and poverty reduction.

6. Larry Ellison

• Age: 79
• Residence: United States
• Co-founder, Chair, and CTO: Oracle
• Net Worth: $154 billion
• Oracle Ownership Stake: 42%+ ($117 billion)
• Other Assets: Tesla equity ($10.4 billion), $26.5 billion in cash

Larry Ellison co-founded Oracle in 1977 and grew it into a leading software company. Oracle is known for its database software and cloud products. Ellison is also a major investor in other companies, including Tesla, and is active in philanthropy.

7. Larry Page

• Age: 51
• Residence: United States
• Co-founder and Board Member: Alphabet
• Net Worth: $149 billion
• Alphabet Ownership Stake: 6% ($134.3 billion)
• Other Assets: $19 billion in cash

Larry Page, along with Sergey Brin, co-founded Google in 1998. Google, now part of Alphabet, is the world’s leading search engine. Page was instrumental in Google’s innovation and growth into new areas like Android and YouTube.

8. Steve Ballmer

• Age: 68
• Residence: United States
• Owner: Los Angeles Clippers
• Net Worth: $145 billion
• Microsoft Ownership Stake: 4% ($134 billion)
• Other Assets: Los Angeles Clippers ($4.56 billion), The Forum ($400 million), Intuit Dome ($2 billion), $4.43 billion in cash

Steve Ballmer joined Microsoft in 1980 and became CEO in 2000, leading the company through significant growth. After leaving Microsoft, he bought the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team.

9. Warren Buffett

• Age: 93
• Residence: United States
• CEO: Berkshire Hathaway
• Net Worth: $143 billion
• Berkshire Hathaway Ownership Stake: 15% ($137 billion)
• Other Assets: $1.50 billion in cash

Warren Buffett is known as the “Oracle of Omaha” and is one of the most successful investors of all time. He leads Berkshire Hathaway, which owns a diverse range of businesses. Buffett is also a prominent philanthropist, having pledged to give away most of his fortune.

10. Sergey Brin

• Age: 50
• Residence: United States
• Co-founder and Board Member: Alphabet
• Net Worth: $141 billion
• Alphabet Ownership Stake: 6% ($125.2 billion)
• Other Assets: $19.1 billion in cash

Sergey Brin co-founded Google with Larry Page. He has been a key figure in developing Google’s technology and expanding its product range, including projects in artificial intelligence and self-driving cars.

Who Are the Top 10 Richest People in the World?

As of August 26, 2024, the top 10 richest people in the world are:

1. Elon Musk
2. Bernard Arnault
3. Jeff Bezos
4. Mark Zuckerberg
5. Bill Gates
6. Larry Ellison
7. Larry Page
8. Steve Ballmer
9. Warren Buffett
10. Sergey Brin

Who Is the World’s Richest Man in 2024?

As of August 26, 2024, the world’s richest man is Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. He has a net worth of $244 billion.

Who Is the Richest Woman in the World?

The richest woman in the world is Francoise Bettencourt Meyers. As of August 26, 2024, her net worth is $89.2 billion. She gained her wealth through her holdings in L’Oréal, the world’s largest cosmetics company.

Conclusion

The list of the richest billionaires in the world shows how a few individuals have a huge impact on the global economy and various industries. In 2024, billionaires like Elon Musk, Bernard Arnault , and Jeff Bezos top the list, showcasing the power of technology, e-commerce, and luxury goods. These billionaires have built massive empires, with most of their wealth tied to their companies’ success in the stock market.

Richest World’s Billionaires List 2024 – FAQs

Who is the top 10 richest billionaire in the world?

Top 10 Richest Billionaires in the World (2024)

1. Elon Musk – $205.4 billion (Tesla, SpaceX)
2. Bernard Arnault & family – $201 billion (LVMH)
3. Jeff Bezos – $200 billion (Amazon)
4. Mark Zuckerberg – $188 billion (Meta/Facebook)
5. Bill Gates – $159 billion (Microsoft)
6. Larry Ellison – $154 billion (Oracle)
7. Larry Page – $149 billion (Google)
8. Steve Ballmer – $145 billion (Microsoft)
9. Warren Buffett – $143 billion (Berkshire Hathaway)
10. Sergey Brin – $141 billion (Google)

Who is the US No 1 billionaire?

The richest billionaire in the United States as of 2024 is Elon Musk with a net worth of $205.4 billion.

Who is the 1 richest person of the world?

Elon Musk is the richest person in the world with a net worth of $244 billion, followed closely by Bernard Arnault.