Billionaires those elusive titans of wealth shape our world in profound ways. They influence economies, politics, and philanthropy on a global scale. As of May 2, 2024, Forbes counts 2,781 billionaires worldwide, and among them, a select few stand out as the wealthiest of the wealthy. Let’s delve into the lives and fortunes of these remarkable individuals.
1. Bernard Arnault
- Net Worth: $215 billion
- Role: Chairman and CEO of LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy)
- About: Bernard Arnault, a French national, leads LVMH—the world’s largest luxury goods company. Brands under LVMH include Louis Vuitton, Hennessey, Marc Jacobs, and Sephora. Most of Arnault’s wealth comes from his massive stake in LVMH1.
2. Jeff Bezos
- Net Worth: $201 billion
- Role: Founder and Executive Chair of Amazon
- About: Bezos founded Amazon.com in 1994, which has since become a global retail powerhouse. His interests extend to ventures like Blue Origin (space travel) and The Washington Post1.
3. Elon Musk
- Net Worth: $198 billion
- Role: CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink
- About: Musk’s entrepreneurial journey includes co-founding Zip2, creating PayPal, and revolutionizing electric vehicles and space trave.
4. Bill Gates
- Net Worth: $134 billion
- Role: Co-founder of Microsoft
- About: Gates is not only a tech pioneer but also a philanthropist through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
5. Larry Ellison
- Net Worth: $123 billion
- Role: Co-founder of Oracle Corporation
- About: Ellison’s interests extend beyond business to owning 98% of Lānaʻi (Hawaii’s sixth-largest island) and racing yachts.
6. Mark Zuckerberg
- Net Worth: $118 billion
- Role: Co-founder and CEO of Facebook
- About: Zuckerberg’s social media empire has transformed communication worldwide. He’s also involved in initiatives related to education and health.
7. Larry Page
- Net Worth: $110 billion
- Role: Co-founder of Google (now Alphabet Inc.)
- About: Page’s impact on the internet is immeasurable. Google’s search engine revolutionized information access, and Alphabet Inc. continues to innovate across various fields.
8. Sergey Brin
- Net Worth: $108 billion
- Role: Co-founder of Google (now Alphabet Inc.)
- About: Brin’s partnership with Larry Page led to the birth of Google. His interests extend to space exploration through companies like Planetary Resources.
9. Steve Ballmer
- Net Worth: $96 billion
- Role: Former CEO of Microsoft
- About: Ballmer’s tenure at Microsoft saw significant growth. His passion for basketball also led him to acquire the Los Angeles Clippers NBA team.
10. Warren Buffett
- Net Worth: $91 billion
- Role: Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway
- About: Buffett’s investment wisdom has made him a legend. His philanthropic efforts include the Giving Pledge, encouraging billionaires to donate their wealth.