The 10 Wealthiest People Shaping Our World in 2024

The 10 Wealthiest People Shaping Our World in 2024

As a private banker who has had the privilege of working with some of the world’s most affluent individuals, I’ve witnessed firsthand the dynamic landscape of global wealth. The year 2024 has brought about significant shifts in the rankings of the world’s richest people, reflecting the ever-changing nature of global markets, technological advancements, and business innovations.

Based on data from the Real-Time Billionaires List, we’ll delve into the lives and fortunes of the top 10 wealthiest individuals on the planet. These extraordinary entrepreneurs and investors have not only amassed incredible wealth but have also shaped industries, influenced global economies, and in many cases, committed to philanthropic efforts that aim to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

1. Elon Musk – $304 billion

Elon Musk, the visionary entrepreneur and innovator, continues to hold the title of the world’s richest person in 2024 with a staggering net worth of $304 billion. Born in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1971, Musk showed an early aptitude for technology and entrepreneurship. He co-founded PayPal, which was sold to eBay in 2002, providing him with the capital to pursue his ambitious ventures.

Musk’s wealth primarily stems from his leadership roles in Tesla and SpaceX. As CEO of Tesla, he has revolutionized the electric vehicle industry and sustainable energy sector. SpaceX, his private space exploration company, has achieved numerous milestones in space technology and aims to make space travel more accessible. His acquisition of Twitter (now X) in 2022 for $44 billion further diversified his business portfolio.

Known for his unconventional approach and ambitious goals, Musk’s companies continue to push the boundaries of innovation. His wealth has grown exponentially in recent years, with an average annual growth rate of 110%, putting him on track to potentially become the world’s first trillionaire.

2. Larry Ellison – $230.7 billion

According to the Real-Time Billionaires List, Larry Ellison, the co-founder, executive chairman, and CTO of Oracle Corporation, holds the second position on the list of the world’s wealthiest individuals with a net worth of $230.7 billion. Born in New York City in 1944, Ellison’s journey to becoming one of the tech industry’s most influential figures is a testament to his vision and perseverance.

Ellison’s primary source of wealth comes from his approximately 40% stake in Oracle, the software giant he co-founded in 1977. Under his leadership, Oracle grew from a small startup to a global leader in database management systems. His business acumen extends beyond Oracle, with significant investments in various industries, including real estate and sports.

Known for his lavish lifestyle and passion for sailing, Ellison has also made substantial philanthropic contributions, particularly in the fields of medical research and education. His recent surge in wealth, largely due to Oracle’s strong performance and strategic moves in cloud computing, has solidified his position among the world’s elite billionaires.

3. Jeff Bezos – $224.5 billion

Jeff Bezos, the founder and executive chairman of Amazon, ranks third on the list of the world’s richest people with a net worth of $224.5 billion. Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1964, Bezos’s entrepreneurial journey began in 1994 when he founded Amazon as an online bookstore.

Under Bezos’s leadership, Amazon transformed from a modest online retailer into a global e-commerce and cloud computing powerhouse. His wealth primarily comes from his stake in Amazon, but he has diversified his portfolio with investments in various sectors. Bezos also owns The Washington Post and founded Blue Origin, a space exploration company aimed at making space travel more accessible.

Known for his customer-centric approach and long-term thinking, Bezos has consistently reinvested Amazon’s profits into expanding the company’s reach and capabilities. Despite stepping down as CEO in 2021, he remains a significant force in the business world. His philanthropic efforts, including the Bezos Earth Fund and Day One Fund, demonstrate his commitment to addressing global challenges.

4. Mark Zuckerberg – $203.8 billion

Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder and CEO of Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook), has solidified his position as one of the world’s wealthiest individuals with a net worth of $203.8 billion. Born in 1984 in White Plains, New York, Zuckerberg’s journey to tech stardom began in his Harvard dorm room where he created Facebook in 2004. Despite dropping out of college to focus on his burgeoning social media platform, Zuckerberg’s vision and leadership have transformed Facebook into a global tech giant.

Under Zuckerberg’s guidance, Meta has expanded its reach far beyond its initial social networking roots. The company now owns popular platforms such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus, and has ventured into new territories like virtual and augmented reality. Zuckerberg’s wealth primarily stems from his approximately 13% ownership stake in Meta, which has seen significant growth over the years. His commitment to innovation and adaptability has been evident in Meta’s recent pivot towards artificial intelligence and the metaverse, helping to drive the company’s stock to record highs in 2024.

5. Bernard Arnault & family – $164.6 billion

Bernard Arnault, the French business magnate and art collector, leads his family to the fifth position on the world’s richest list with a combined net worth of $164.6 billion. Born in 1949 in Roubaix, France, Arnault is the chairman and CEO of LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy), the world’s largest luxury goods company. His journey in the luxury sector began in 1984 with the acquisition of Christian Dior, which set the stage for his empire-building in the high-end retail market.

Under Arnault’s leadership, LVMH has grown to encompass over 75 prestigious brands across various sectors, including fashion, jewelry, wines and spirits, and hospitality. His business acumen and strategic acquisitions have transformed LVMH into a powerhouse that dominates the global luxury market. Arnault’s wealth, however, has seen significant fluctuations due to market volatility and global economic conditions. In 2023, he briefly held the title of the world’s richest person before market shifts repositioned him. Despite these fluctuations, Arnault’s influence in the luxury goods sector remains unparalleled, and his family continues to play a significant role in LVMH’s operations and future direction.

6. Larry Page – $147.7 billion

Larry Page, co-founder of Google and former CEO of its parent company Alphabet, holds the sixth position among the world’s wealthiest individuals with a net worth of $147.7 billion. Born in 1973 in East Lansing, Michigan, Page’s journey to tech stardom began at Stanford University, where he met Sergey Brin. Together, they developed the PageRank algorithm, which became the foundation for Google’s search engine.

Page served as Google’s CEO from its inception in 1998 until 2001, and again from 2011 to 2015 when he became CEO of Alphabet. Under his leadership, Google transformed from a simple search engine into a diverse tech conglomerate, expanding into areas such as mobile operating systems (Android), video sharing (YouTube), and cloud computing. Although Page stepped down from his executive role at Alphabet in 2019, he remains a board member and controlling shareholder. His wealth primarily comes from his ownership stake in Alphabet, which has seen tremendous growth over the years. Page’s vision for technological innovation extends beyond Google, as he has invested in flying car startups and other futuristic ventures, showcasing his continued interest in pushing the boundaries of technology.

7. Warren Buffett – $145.9 billion

Warren Buffett, often referred to as the “Oracle of Omaha,” is one of the most successful investors in history and the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Born in 1930 in Omaha, Nebraska, Buffett showed an early aptitude for business and investing. He purchased his first stock at age 11 and filed his first tax return at 13. Buffett’s investment philosophy, centered on value investing, has made him a legendary figure in the financial world.

Under Buffett’s leadership, Berkshire Hathaway has grown from a struggling textile company into a massive conglomerate with holdings in various industries, including insurance, railroads, and consumer goods. His annual shareholder letters are widely read for their insights into business and investing. Despite his immense wealth, Buffett is known for his frugal lifestyle and his commitment to philanthropy. He has pledged to give away 99% of his wealth to charitable causes through the Giving Pledge, which he co-founded with Bill and Melinda Gates.

8. Sergey Brin – $141.1 billion

Sergey Brin, born in Moscow in 1973, is a computer scientist and internet entrepreneur best known as the co-founder of Google. Brin immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of six. He met Larry Page while pursuing his Ph.D. in computer science at Stanford University, and together they developed the idea that would become Google.

Brin served as the president of Google’s parent company, Alphabet Inc., until stepping down in December 2019. However, he remains a controlling shareholder and a board member. Under Brin’s leadership, Google expanded far beyond its initial search engine capabilities, venturing into areas such as mobile operating systems (Android), video sharing (YouTube), and cloud computing. Brin’s wealth primarily comes from his stake in Alphabet, but he has also invested in various other ventures, including space exploration and artificial intelligence research.

9. Jensen Huang – $128.7 billion

Jensen Huang, born in Taiwan in 1963, is the co-founder and CEO of NVIDIA Corporation, a company that has become a powerhouse in graphics processing units (GPUs) and artificial intelligence technologies. Huang immigrated to the United States as a child and later earned degrees in electrical engineering from Oregon State University and Stanford University.

Huang co-founded NVIDIA in 1993, focusing initially on developing 3D graphics processors for gaming. Under his leadership, the company has expanded its focus to include AI, deep learning, and autonomous vehicles. NVIDIA’s GPUs have become essential in various fields, from gaming to scientific research and cryptocurrency mining. Huang’s net worth has skyrocketed in recent years due to NVIDIA’s central role in the AI boom, with the company’s stock price surging as demand for its chips has grown exponentially.

10. Amancio Ortega – $128.5 billion

Amancio Ortega, born in 1936 in Spain, is the founder of Inditex, the parent company of Zara and several other fashion retail chains. Ortega’s journey to becoming one of the world’s wealthiest individuals is a classic rags-to-riches story. He left school at 14 to work as a shop hand for a local shirtmaker, where he learned to make clothes by hand.

In 1975, Ortega opened the first Zara store with his then-wife Rosalía Mera. From this single store, he built Inditex into the world’s largest fashion retailer, known for its fast-fashion model that quickly brings runway trends to stores at affordable prices. Despite his immense wealth, Ortega is known for his modest lifestyle and aversion to publicity. He stepped down as chairman of Inditex in 2011 but remains a major shareholder. Ortega has diversified his wealth through significant investments in real estate, making him one of the largest commercial property owners in Spain and other countries.

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