In 2024, the list of the world’s richest people is dominated by tech moguls, luxury goods tycoons, and investment wizards.
Based on data from the Real-Time Billionaires List, we delve into the lives and careers of the top 10 richest individuals, exploring their net worth, early life, and career trajectories that led them to amass such immense wealth.
1. Elon Musk – Net Worth: $205.4 billion
Elon Musk, born on June 28, 1971, in Pretoria, South Africa, is a visionary entrepreneur and the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. Musk’s journey to becoming the world’s richest person began with his early ventures, including Zip2 and X.com, which later became PayPal. After selling PayPal to eBay, Musk founded SpaceX in 2002 with the goal of revolutionizing space travel. In 2004, he joined Tesla Motors, eventually becoming its CEO and leading the company to the forefront of the electric vehicle market. Musk’s other ventures include Neuralink, The Boring Company, and his recent acquisition of Twitter, now rebranded as X. His relentless innovation and ambitious projects have solidified his status as a modern-day titan of industry.
2. Jeff Bezos – Net Worth: $203.2 billion
According to the Real-Time Billionaires List, Jeff Bezos has a net worth of $203.2 billion. Born on January 12, 1964, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, he is the founder of Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer. Bezos’s early fascination with computers and his education at Princeton University laid the groundwork for his future success. After a stint on Wall Street, Bezos founded Amazon in 1994 as an online bookstore, which quickly expanded into a global e-commerce giant. Bezos also owns The Washington Post and the space exploration company Blue Origin. His strategic vision and relentless focus on customer service have made Amazon a household name and propelled him to immense wealth.
3. Bernard Arnault & Family – Net Worth: $200 billion
Bernard Arnault, born on March 5, 1949, in Roubaix, France, is the chairman and CEO of LVMH, the world’s largest luxury goods company. Arnault began his career in his father’s construction business before shifting to real estate. His entry into the luxury market came with the acquisition of Christian Dior in 1984. Arnault played a pivotal role in the creation of LVMH in 1987, merging Louis Vuitton with Moët Hennessy. Under his leadership, LVMH has grown to encompass over 75 prestigious brands, including Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Tiffany & Co. Arnault’s keen business acumen and strategic acquisitions have made him a dominant figure in the luxury industry.
4. Larry Ellison – Net Worth: $147 billion
Larry Ellison’s net worth is around $147 billion. Born on August 17, 1944, in New York City, Larry is the co-founder, chairman, and CTO of Oracle Corporation. Raised by his aunt and uncle in Chicago, Ellison dropped out of college twice before moving to California. In 1977, he co-founded Software Development Laboratories, which later became Oracle Corporation. Oracle’s innovative database management systems revolutionized the tech industry, and Ellison’s aggressive acquisition strategy helped the company grow exponentially. Ellison is also known for his investments in real estate, yachting, and his ownership of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
5. Mark Zuckerberg – Net Worth: $135 billion
Mark Zuckerberg, born on May 14, 1984, in White Plains, New York, is the co-founder and CEO of Facebook, now Meta Platforms. Zuckerberg developed an interest in computers at an early age and created Facebook while studying at Harvard University. The social networking site quickly gained popularity, and Zuckerberg dropped out of college to focus on its growth. Under his leadership, Facebook expanded to include Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus VR. Despite facing numerous controversies, Zuckerberg’s vision for connecting the world has made him one of the youngest billionaires in history.
6. Larry Page – Net Worth: $131 billion
Larry Page, born on March 26, 1973, in East Lansing, Michigan, is the co-founder of Google. Page’s interest in computers and technology was influenced by his parents, both of whom were computer science professors. He met Sergey Brin at Stanford University, and together they developed a search engine that became Google. Founded in 1998, Google revolutionized internet search and expanded into various other tech sectors, including advertising, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. Page served as CEO of Google and later Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company. His innovative contributions have had a profound impact on the tech industry.
7. Warren Buffett – Net Worth: $130 billion
Warren Buffett, born on August 30, 1930, in Omaha, Nebraska, is the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Known as the “Oracle of Omaha,” Buffett developed an interest in business and investing at a young age. He studied under Benjamin Graham at Columbia Business School and adopted the principles of value investing. Buffett’s investment philosophy and shrewd business decisions have made Berkshire Hathaway one of the largest conglomerates in the world. Despite his immense wealth, Buffett is known for his frugality and philanthropy, pledging to give away 99% of his fortune.
8. Sergey Brin – Net Worth: $129 billion
Sergey Brin, born on August 21, 1973, in Moscow, Russia, is the co-founder of Google. Brin immigrated to the United States with his family to escape anti-Semitic persecution. He met Larry Page at Stanford University, and together they created Google. Brin played a key role in developing Google’s search engine and other innovative technologies. He later served as the president of Alphabet Inc., focusing on research and development projects. Brin’s contributions to technology and his entrepreneurial spirit have made him one of the wealthiest individuals in the world.
9. Bill Gates – Net Worth: $124 billion
Bill Gates, born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington, is the co-founder of Microsoft Corporation. Gates developed an interest in computers at a young age and dropped out of Harvard University to start Microsoft with Paul Allen in 1975. Microsoft revolutionized personal computing with its operating system, Windows, and became the world’s largest software company. Gates served as CEO until 2000 and remained active in the company until 2008. He has since focused on philanthropy through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, addressing global health and education issues.
10. Steve Ballmer – Net Worth: $123 billion
Steve Ballmer, born on March 24, 1956, in Detroit, Michigan, is the former CEO of Microsoft and the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers. Ballmer joined Microsoft in 1980 after dropping out of Stanford’s MBA program. He became CEO in 2000, succeeding Bill Gates, and led the company through significant growth. Despite missing some key technology trends, Ballmer’s tenure saw a substantial increase in sales and profits. After retiring from Microsoft in 2014, he purchased the Clippers and has been active in philanthropy through the Ballmer Group.