The Forbes top ten richest people of 2024 are redefining what it means to belong to the ‘one percent.’ These heavyweights can easily snag a private island or two without even breaking a sweat. It should be noted that the list is updated daily. As stock prices fluctuate, occasional jumps or drops on this list are not uncommon. The list below is based on data from the first half of 2024
1. Bernard Arnault: The Fashion Mogul
With a staggering net worth of about $233 billion, Bernard Arnault knows luxury like nobody else. At 75 years young, this French entrepreneur presides over LVMH. That’s Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy for those not up with the latest in high fashion. It’s a conglomerate that has turned high-end goods into high-end income.
If you have ever felt like your wardrobe was missing a touch of “exorbitantly overpriced,” you can thank him for creating fancy bags that cost more than your car.
2. Elon Musk: The Space Cowboy
Elon Musk continues to rocket through the ranks, with a net worth of approximately $195 billion at the ripe old age of 52. As the head honcho of Tesla and SpaceX, Musk brilliantly marries futuristic tech with Earthly profits, one electric car, and spacecraft at a time.
Originating from South Africa, he’s now navigating the cosmic profit chart like a champ.
Can he make Mars habitable? Maybe. Can he tweet his way into more wealth? Definitely.
3. Jeff Bezos: The E-commerce Emperor
The man who made shopping from your couch a national pastime, is worth around $194 billion at the age of 59. Forget about physical stores—why bother when you can shop in pajamas, all while exploring the latest Dr. Seuss book or the newest tech gadget?
Founding Amazon was just the starter pack; he’s now exploring space travel—all while debating whether a new pair of shoes really counts as business expenses.
4. Mark Zuckerberg: The Social Networker
The architect behind ‘social’ in social media possesses wealth nearing $177 billion at just 39. From transforming a university project into Facebook, now Meta, to ambitiously envisioning a metaverse, he strives to enable everyone to transcend their social awkwardness in a digital cosmos.
He certainly knows how to make those likes count in dollars!
5. Larry Ellison: The Database King
With a wealth of $141 billion at 79 years old, Larry Ellison still reigns supreme in the tech world as the co-founder of Oracle. He’s turned databases into dollar signs, proving that information really is power (and it sure helps to have a yacht or two while you’re at it).
When he’s not busy with his tech empire that conquered the database world, he’s throwing parties on his luxury yacht. Ellison’s lifestyle reminds us that sometimes, living well is the best form of advertisement.
6. Warren Buffett: The Oracle of Omaha
Warren Buffett, the sage of investing, possesses a net worth of $133 billion at age 93. He’s seen it all and taught us one thing: patience pays off. Known for his throwback lifestyle, Buffett is as nostalgic as he is wealthy.
With his folksy demeanor, he’s arguably the most relatable billionaire, still living in the same house he bought in 1958. His guy-next-door image is as refreshing as the extensive list of investments he’s made as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway.
7. Bill Gates: The Philanthropic Geek
Bill Gates maintains a steady net worth of $128 billion, proving that even the geekiest among us can acquire substantial riches. At the age of 68, he juggles both advancing Microsoft products and embarking on a venture to confront global health challenges through his philanthropic efforts.
While he could choose to sail around the world, cocktail in hand, he’s busy tackling world hunger and healthcare issues.
8. Steve Ballmer: The Energetic Owner
The former Microsoft CEO has an astounding net worth of $121 billion at the age of 68.
With his boundless energy, he has transformed himself into an NBA team owner, cheering on the Los Angeles Clippers like there’s no tomorrow. Shouting, surprisingly, turns out to be a wise investment strategy.
His passion for sports and tech illustrates that billionaires thrive on the thrill of competition—whether it’s in the boardroom or on the basketball court.
9. Mukesh Ambani: The Telecom Tycoon
The man who put the “billion” in billion-dollar telecom wars, holds a net worth of about $116 billion at the age of 66. As the chairman and largest shareholder of Reliance Industries, he deftly combined retail with technology and made waves in India’s telecom sector with Jio.
He’s not just connecting calls; he’s transforming how people connect with each other.
10. Larry Page: The Search Engine Wizard
Notable for co-founding Google, Page commands a significant fortune of $114 billion at the seasoned age of 51.
It’s easy to forget about the wealth when his contributions to global information accessibility are more magical than his bank balance. A man who built a search engine to organize the world’s information is now just a few clicks away from being one of the richest guys on Earth.
| Name | Wealth (in billions) | Age | Country | Company | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bernard Arnault | $233 | 75 | France | LVMH | Fashion |
| Elon Musk | $195 | 52 | USA | Tesla | Automotive/Space |
| Jeff Bezos | $194 | 59 | USA | Amazon | E-commerce |
| Mark Zuckerberg | $177 | 39 | USA | Meta | Technology |
| Larry Ellison | $141 | 79 | USA | Oracle | Technology |
| Warren Buffett | $133 | 93 | USA | Berkshire | Investments |
| Bill Gates | $128 | 68 | USA | Microsoft | Technology |
| Steve Ballmer | $121 | 68 | USA | Microsoft | Technology |
| Mukesh Ambani | $116 | 66 | India | Diversified | Diversified |
| Larry Page | $114 | 51 | USA | Technology |
The Global Impact
The world’s wealthiest individuals have serious role in world’s economy. They create jobs and drive innovation, ensuring that the economic engine keeps chugging along smoothly.
With their massive fortunes concentrated in a select few, their decisions can send ripples through the financial waters of the world. Billionaires are now focusing their superpowers on fields like biotechnology and clean technology—because saving the planet while raking in the cash is the ultimate power move.
One might say it’s like a game of Monopoly, but with actual stakes (and no one flipping the board when things don’t go their way).