Top 10 Richest People In the World in 2024
As an accountant, I’ve always been fascinated by the staggering wealth accumulated by the world’s richest individuals. There’s something captivating about tracking the ebb and flow of fortunes, especially when we’re talking about numbers that most of us can barely fathom. As we dive into 2024, I find myself once again poring over the latest figures, marveling at the astronomical net worths of those who top the global wealth charts.
This year’s list of the top 10 richest people in the world showcases some familiar faces, but with a few surprising shifts that reflect the ever-changing landscape of global business and technology. From tech moguls to retail giants, these individuals have not only amassed incredible wealth but have also shaped industries and influenced economies on a global scale.
Based on data from the Real-Time Billionaires List, we will explore the financial titans of 2024, examining their net worths, the sources of their wealth, and the journeys that led them to the pinnacle of global affluence.
- Elon Musk – $266.3 billion
Elon Musk is the wealthiest person in the world with an estimated net worth of $266.3 billion as of September 2024.
Musk was born in 1971 in Pretoria, South Africa. He showed an early aptitude for technology, teaching himself computer programming as a child. After moving to the United States, Musk co-founded web software company Zip2, which was acquired for $307 million in 1999.
He went on to co-found online payment company X.com, which later became PayPal and was sold to eBay for $1.5 billion in 2002. With his newfound wealth, Musk founded SpaceX in 2002 with the goal of reducing space transportation costs. In 2004, he became a major investor in electric vehicle company Tesla, later taking over as CEO.
Musk’s wealth comes primarily from his stakes in Tesla and SpaceX. He also owns Twitter (now X), which he acquired in a $44 billion deal in 2022. Known for his ambitious goals, Musk aims to revolutionize transportation on Earth and in space.
- Jeff Bezos – $211.3 billion
According to the Real-Time Billionaires List, Jeff Bezos is the second richest person globally with a net worth of $211.3 billion as of September 2024.
Born in 1964 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Bezos graduated from Princeton University with degrees in electrical engineering and computer science. After working on Wall Street, he founded Amazon in 1994 as an online bookstore.
Under Bezos’ leadership, Amazon expanded into e-commerce, cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence. It is now one of the world’s most valuable companies. Bezos stepped down as CEO in 2021 but remains executive chairman.
Besides Amazon, Bezos owns The Washington Post and Blue Origin, a space exploration company. His wealth largely comes from his Amazon shares, which have seen tremendous growth over the years.
- Larry Ellison – $202.8 billion
Larry Ellison ranks as the third wealthiest individual worldwide with a net worth of $202.8 billion as of September 2024.
Born in 1944 in New York City, Ellison was adopted and raised in Chicago. He dropped out of college and moved to California, where he worked various programming jobs.
In 1977, Ellison co-founded Software Development Laboratories, which later became Oracle Corporation. Under his leadership, Oracle grew to dominate the database software market.
Ellison stepped down as Oracle’s CEO in 2014 but remains executive chairman and chief technology officer. His wealth primarily comes from his large stake in Oracle, which has seen significant growth recently due to its focus on cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
Ellison is also known for his lavish lifestyle, including owning luxury real estate and yachts. He has pledged to give away 95% of his wealth to charitable causes.
- Mark Zuckerberg – $194.9 billion
Mark Zuckerberg is the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook, Inc.) with a net worth of $194.9 billion as of September 2024.
Born in 1984 in White Plains, New York, Zuckerberg showed an early aptitude for computer programming. He launched Facebook from his Harvard dorm room in 2004 at the age of 19. The platform quickly expanded beyond college campuses, becoming a global social networking phenomenon.
Under Zuckerberg’s leadership, Meta has acquired Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus VR. In 2021, he rebranded Facebook to Meta, signaling a shift towards developing the metaverse.
Zuckerberg’s wealth primarily comes from his stake in Meta. He has pledged to give away 99% of his Meta shares through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, which he founded with his wife Priscilla Chan.
- Bernard Arnault & family – $175.2 billion
Bernard Arnault is the chairman and CEO of LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton), the world’s largest luxury goods company, with a net worth of $175.2 billion as of September 2024.
Born in 1949 in Roubaix, France, Arnault began his career at his father’s construction company. In 1984, he acquired luxury goods company Financière Agache and became its CEO. He then led the acquisition of Christian Dior and eventually gained control of LVMH in 1989.
Under Arnault’s leadership, LVMH has grown to encompass over 70 luxury brands including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Hennessy, and Tiffany & Co. He is known for his strategic acquisitions and ability to revitalize heritage brands.
Arnault briefly held the title of world’s richest person in 2023, with his wealth peaking at $240.7 billion in April. However, market fluctuations have since affected his net worth.
- Warren Buffett – $143.4 billion
Warren Buffett, often called the “Oracle of Omaha,” is the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, with a net worth of $143.4 billion as of September 2024.
Born in 1930 in Omaha, Nebraska, Buffett showed an early interest in business and investing. He studied under Benjamin Graham at Columbia Business School, adopting Graham’s value investing philosophy.
Buffett took control of Berkshire Hathaway in 1965, transforming it from a failing textile company into a massive conglomerate. Berkshire now owns a diverse portfolio of businesses and holds significant stakes in major companies like Apple and Coca-Cola.
Despite his immense wealth, Buffett is known for his frugal lifestyle. He still lives in the same Omaha home he purchased in 1958 for $31,500. Buffett has pledged to give away 99% of his wealth to philanthropic causes, primarily through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Buffett’s investment success and longevity in the business world have made him one of the most respected figures in finance. His annual shareholder letters and meetings are closely followed by investors worldwide.
- Bill Gates – $138.9 billion
Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, has a net worth of $138.9 billion as of September 2024.
Born in 1955 in Seattle, Washington, Gates developed an interest in computers at an early age. He dropped out of Harvard to co-found Microsoft with Paul Allen in 1975. Under Gates’ leadership, Microsoft became the world’s largest personal computer software company.
Gates stepped down as Microsoft’s CEO in 2000 and left his full-time role at the company in 2008 to focus on philanthropy. He and his ex-wife Melinda founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which focuses on global health, education, and poverty reduction.
Despite significant charitable donations, Gates’ wealth continues to grow through investments managed by his private office, Cascade Investment. He remains one of Microsoft’s largest individual shareholders.
- Larry Page – $135.1 billion
Larry Page, co-founder of Google and former CEO of its parent company Alphabet, has a net worth of $135.1 billion as of September 2024.
Born in 1973 in East Lansing, Michigan, Page met Sergey Brin while pursuing a Ph.D. at Stanford University. They co-founded Google in 1998, revolutionizing internet search and digital advertising.
Page served as Google’s CEO from 2011 to 2015, and then as CEO of Alphabet from 2015 to 2019. Under his leadership, Google expanded into various tech sectors, including mobile operating systems (Android), video sharing (YouTube), and cloud computing.
Although Page stepped down as Alphabet’s CEO in 2019, he remains a board member and controlling shareholder. His wealth primarily comes from his stake in Alphabet.
- Amancio Ortega – $132.2 billion
Amancio Ortega, founder and former chairman of Inditex fashion group, has a net worth of $132.2 billion as of September 2024.
Born in 1936 in Busdongo de Arbás, Spain, Ortega began his career as a shop hand for a local shirtmaker. In 1963, he founded Confecciones Goa to sell quilted bathrobes.
In 1975, Ortega opened the first Zara store, which would become the flagship brand of Inditex. The company’s “fast fashion” model, quickly turning catwalk designs into affordable clothing, revolutionized the fashion retail industry.
Inditex now owns several major fashion brands, including Zara, Pull&Bear, and Massimo Dutti. Ortega stepped down as chairman in 2011 but still owns about 60% of Inditex’s shares.
Despite his wealth, Ortega is known for his modest lifestyle and rarely gives interviews or appears in public.
- Sergey Brin – $129.4 billion
Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google and former president of its parent company Alphabet, has a net worth of $129.4 billion as of September 2024.
Born in 1973 in Moscow, Russia, Brin immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of six. He met Larry Page at Stanford University while pursuing a Ph.D. in computer science.
Together, Brin and Page developed the PageRank algorithm, which became the foundation for Google’s search engine. They co-founded Google in 1998, with Brin initially serving as the company’s president of technology.
Brin played a key role in Google’s expansion beyond search, including the development of Google Glass and the company’s self-driving car project (now Waymo). He stepped down as president of Alphabet in 2019 but remains a controlling shareholder and board member.
Known for his interest in cutting-edge technology, Brin has invested in various projects, including lab-grown meat and airship development.
