Introduction
The Top 10 Richest People in the World
Here we present an exclusive list of the top 10 wealthiest individuals on the planet, ranked by their net worth and influence. These individuals have conquered industries, disrupted markets, and built empires that have changed the way we live and perceive wealth.
1. Bernard Arnault & Family – $193 billion
Bernard Arnault, the Chairman and CEO of LVMH, is currently the wealthiest person on earth with a net worth of $193 billion. Arnault’s wealth is primarily derived from his ownership of more than 70 brands, including luxury fashion brand Louis Vuitton and beauty retailer Sephora. In December 2020, Arnault earned his fortune, which was valued at $100 billion at the time, making him Europe’s wealthiest man.
Key Highlights:
- Bernard Arnault is the wealthiest person on earth with a net worth of $193 billion
- Arnault’s wealth is derived from his ownership of over 70 brands, including Louis Vuitton and Sephora
- Arnault earned his fortune in December 2020, which was valued at $100 billion at the time
- Arnault is also Europe’s wealthiest man
2. Elon Musk – $174 billion
Elon Musk is a visionary entrepreneur who is actively revolutionizing transportation on Earth and in space. His ventures include Tesla, an electric car maker, and SpaceX, a rocket producer. Musk’s electric car company, Tesla, is currently valued at nearly $800 billion, contributing to his net worth of $174 billion. Additionally, his rocket company, SpaceX, holds an impressive valuation of nearly $100 billion.
Key Highlights:
- Elon Musk is a visionary entrepreneur revolutionizing transportation on Earth and in space
- Tesla, his electric car company, is valued at nearly $800 billion
- Musk’s net worth is $174 billion
- SpaceX, his rocket company, is valued at nearly $100 billion
3. Jeff Bezos – $136 billion
Jeff Bezos, the founder and CEO of Amazon, currently has a net worth of $136 billion, making him the third richest person on Earth. Despite divorcing his wife MacKenzie in 2019 and transferring a quarter of his stake in Amazon to her, Bezos’ ranking remains unchanged. Bezos started Amazon in 1994 from his garage in Seattle, and it has since become a behemoth in the e-commerce industry. The pandemic has boosted Amazon’s profits due to the increase in online shopping.
Key Highlights:
- Jeff Bezos is the founder and CEO of Amazon, with a net worth of $136 billion
- Bezos ranks as the third richest person on Earth
- Despite his divorce and transfer of a quarter of his stake in Amazon to his ex-wife, Bezos’ ranking remains unchanged
- Amazon was founded in 1994 and has become a behemoth in the e-commerce industry
- Amazon’s profits have increased due to the pandemic and the surge in online shopping.
4. Bill Gates – $115 billion
Bill Gates, the co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has a net worth of $115 billion. Gates co-founded Microsoft with Paul Allen and eventually sold much of his stake in the company, retaining only 1% of the shares and investing the rest in other assets such as stocks. In April of last year, Gates became a part of the $100 billion club when the share price of Microsoft surged post-earnings. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is currently the largest private charitable foundation in the world.
Key Highlights:
- Bill Gates is the co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, with a net worth of $115 billion
- Gates co-founded Microsoft with Paul Allen and retained only 1% of the shares after selling much of his stake
- Gates became a part of the $100 billion club last year in April when Microsoft’s share price surged post-earnings
- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is currently the largest private charitable foundation in the world
5. Warren Buffet – $108 billion
Warren Buffet, also known as the Oracle of Omaha, is considered one of the most successful investors of all time. He is the owner of Berkshire Hathaway, which has a portfolio of over 60 companies, including well-known brands such as Geico Insurance, Duracell, and Dairy Queen Restaurants. Buffet’s net worth is currently estimated at $108 billion. Despite his immense wealth, Buffet had humble beginnings as the son of a US congressman and purchased his first stock at the young age of 11.
Key Highlights:
- Warren Buffet is known as the Oracle of Omaha and is one of the most successful investors of all time
- Buffet owns Berkshire Hathaway, which has a portfolio of over 60 companies, including Geico Insurance, Duracell, and Dairy Queen Restaurants
- Buffet’s net worth is currently estimated at $108 billion
- Despite his immense wealth, Buffet had humble beginnings as the son of a US congressman and bought his first stock at the age of 11.
6. Larry Ellison – $102 billion
Larry Ellison, the co-founder of software firm Oracle, has a net worth of $102 billion. He served as the CEO of the company until 2014 and currently holds the position of chairman of the board and chief technology advisor. In addition, Ellison has been on the board of Tesla since December 2018, after purchasing 3 million shares earlier that year. He is also the owner of nearly all of the Hawaiian island of Lanai.
Key Highlights:
- Larry Ellison co-founded software firm Oracle and has a net worth of $102 billion
- He served as the CEO of Oracle until 2014 and currently holds the position of chairman of the board and chief technology advisor
- Ellison has been on the board of Tesla since December 2018 after purchasing 3 million shares earlier that year
- Ellison is the owner of nearly all of the Hawaiian island of Lanai
7. Larry Page – $98.4 billion
Larry Page, the co-founder of Google, has a net worth of $98.4 billion and is ranked as the ninth richest person in the world. He has invested in various ventures, including space exploration company Planetary Resources, as well as “flying car” startup companies Kitty Hawk and Opener.
Key Highlights:
- Larry Page is the co-founder of Google and has a net worth of $98.4 billion
- He is ranked as the ninth richest person in the world
- Page has invested in space exploration company Planetary Resources as well as “flying car” startup companies Kitty Hawk and Opener
8. Sergey Brin — $94.6 billion
Sergey Brin, the co-founder and board member of Alphabet, has a net worth of $94.6 billion, placing him as the ninth richest person in the world. Brin co-founded Google alongside Larry Page in 1998, which went public in 2004 and became Alphabet in 2015.
Key Highlights:
- Sergey Brin is the co-founder and board member of Alphabet with a net worth of $94.6 billion
- He co-founded Google with Larry Page in 1998, which went public in 2004
- Google became Alphabet in 2015
9. Steve Ballmer – $94 billion
Steve Ballmer, the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, has a net worth of $94 billion, putting him in the ninth position among the world’s richest persons. Ballmer joined Microsoft in 1980 and became its CEO in 2000, succeeding Bill Gates.
Key Highlights:
- Steve Ballmer is the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers and has a net worth of $94 billion
- He joined Microsoft in 1980 and became CEO in 2000, succeeding Bill Gates
10. Carlos Slim – $84.2 billion
Carlos Slim is the owner of America Movil, the largest mobile telecom firm in Latin America, and has a net worth of $84.2 billion. In addition to his telecom holdings, he owns stakes in the New York Times and commercial banks. Through his family’s investment vehicle, Slim is also invested in the Mexican construction industry.
Key Highlights:
- Carlos Slim owns America Movil, the largest mobile telecom firm in Latin America
- His net worth is $84.2 billion
- He also owns stakes in the New York Times and commercial banks
- Through his family’s investment vehicle, Slim is invested in the Mexican construction industry