Candice Dicki
As an accountant, I’ve always been fascinated by the intricate dance of numbers and wealth, and there’s no better stage for this performance than the list of the world’s richest individuals. The year 2024 has been particularly intriguing, with fortunes rising and falling in response to market dynamics, innovative ventures, and strategic business decisions. This year, the combined wealth of the top ten billionaires is a staggering $1.6 trillion, a sum that rivals the GDP of some of the world’s largest economies.
At the pinnacle of this financial hierarchy stands Elon Musk, whose ventures in electric vehicles and space exploration have not only disrupted industries but also catapulted him to the top of the wealth charts. Following closely are titans like Jeff Bezos and Larry Ellison, whose legacies in e-commerce and technology continue to shape our digital landscape. Each of these individuals has a unique story—a blend of vision, risk-taking, and relentless pursuit of innovation—that has propelled them to such extraordinary heights.
Based on data from the Real-Time Billionaires List, we delve into the lives and fortunes of these remarkable individuals. From Mark Zuckerberg’s ambitious metaverse projects to Bernard Arnault’s luxurious empire, each profile offers insights into how these billionaires have navigated their paths to success.
1. Elon Musk – $264.7 billion
Elon Musk, the South African-born American entrepreneur, has solidified his position as the world’s wealthiest individual with a staggering net worth of $264.7 billion in 2024. Musk’s fortune stems primarily from his leadership roles in revolutionary companies that have disrupted multiple industries. As the CEO and largest shareholder of Tesla, the electric vehicle and clean energy company, Musk has seen his wealth skyrocket alongside Tesla’s stock price in recent years.
Beyond Tesla, Musk’s portfolio includes SpaceX, the private space exploration company aiming to revolutionize space technology and eventually colonize Mars. His acquisition of Twitter (now X) in 2022 for $44 billion, while controversial, added another high-profile asset to his empire. Musk’s other ventures include Neuralink, which is developing brain-computer interface technology, and The Boring Company, focused on advanced tunnel construction.
Musk’s journey to becoming the world’s richest person has been marked by bold vision, relentless innovation, and a willingness to take on established industries. His companies have not only generated immense wealth but have also pushed the boundaries of technology in automotive, energy, space exploration, and artificial intelligence sectors. Despite facing occasional controversies and market volatility, Musk’s net worth has continued to grow, reflecting the market’s confidence in his ability to drive technological advancements and shape the future.
2. Jeff Bezos – $216.5 billion
According to the Real-Time Billionaires List, Jeff Bezos, the founder and executive chairman of Amazon, holds the second spot on the list of the world’s wealthiest individuals with a net worth of $216.5 billion. Bezos founded Amazon in 1994 as an online bookstore, which has since grown into the world’s largest e-commerce and cloud computing company. His visionary leadership transformed Amazon into a tech giant that has revolutionized retail, cloud services, and digital streaming.
Bezos stepped down as CEO of Amazon in 2021 but remains executive chairman and a major shareholder. Beyond Amazon, he owns The Washington Post and Blue Origin, a space exploration company. Bezos’s wealth has fluctuated with Amazon’s stock price, but he has consistently remained among the world’s richest people for several years.
3. Larry Ellison – $209.1 billion
Larry Ellison, co-founder, executive chairman, and CTO of Oracle Corporation, ranks third on the list with a net worth of $209.1 billion. Ellison’s journey to immense wealth began with the founding of Oracle in 1977, which grew to become one of the largest software companies in the world, specializing in database management systems.
Ellison’s fortune has seen significant growth in recent years, largely due to Oracle’s strong performance in the cloud computing and artificial intelligence sectors. His wealth also includes substantial real estate holdings and investments in other tech companies. Ellison’s strategic focus on emerging technologies like AI has resonated with investors, driving up Oracle’s stock price and, consequently, his net worth.
4. Mark Zuckerberg – $198 billion
Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder and CEO of Meta (formerly Facebook), has amassed a staggering net worth of $198 billion, securing his position as one of the world’s wealthiest individuals. Born in 1984 in White Plains, New York, Zuckerberg showed an early aptitude for computer programming. He famously created Facebook in his Harvard dorm room in 2004, which has since grown into a global social media empire.
Under Zuckerberg’s leadership, Facebook expanded its reach through strategic acquisitions, including Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus VR. In 2021, he rebranded the company as Meta, signaling a shift towards developing the “metaverse,” a concept of interconnected virtual experiences. This bold move reflects Zuckerberg’s vision for the future of digital interaction and has been met with both excitement and skepticism from investors and tech enthusiasts alike.
Despite facing numerous controversies related to privacy concerns and the spread of misinformation on his platforms, Zuckerberg has continued to innovate and adapt. His wealth is primarily tied to his substantial stake in Meta, which has seen significant growth over the years. Zuckerberg has also made headlines for his philanthropic efforts, pledging to give away 99% of his Meta shares over his lifetime through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, which he founded with his wife, Priscilla Chan.
5. Bernard Arnault & family – $168 billion
Bernard Arnault, the chairman and CEO of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH), has built a luxury goods empire that has propelled him and his family to a net worth of $168 billion. Born in 1949 in Roubaix, France, Arnault began his career in his family’s construction business before venturing into the luxury goods market in the 1980s.
Arnault’s strategic acquisitions and business acumen have transformed LVMH into the world’s largest luxury goods conglomerate, encompassing iconic brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Hennessy, and Tiffany & Co. His success is attributed to his ability to maintain brand prestige while expanding global market share.
Known for his hands-on approach and keen eye for talent, Arnault has consistently driven innovation and growth across LVMH’s diverse portfolio. His wealth fluctuates with LVMH’s stock performance, as he owns a significant stake in the company. Arnault’s children are also involved in various roles within LVMH, ensuring the family’s continued influence in the luxury goods sector.
6. Larry Page – $141 billion
Larry Page, co-founder of Google and former CEO of its parent company Alphabet, has accumulated a net worth of $141 billion. Born in 1973 in East Lansing, Michigan, Page showed an early interest in technology, influenced by his computer science professor father.
Page co-founded Google with Sergey Brin in 1998 while pursuing his Ph.D. at Stanford University. Their revolutionary PageRank algorithm became the foundation for Google’s search engine, which quickly dominated the market. Under Page’s leadership, Google expanded beyond search into various tech sectors, including mobile operating systems (Android), web browsers (Chrome), and productivity tools (Google Workspace).
In 2015, Page became CEO of Alphabet, Google’s newly formed parent company, before stepping down in 2019. He remains a board member and controlling shareholder. Page’s wealth is largely tied to his Alphabet stock, which has seen tremendous growth over the years.
Known for his “10X” mentality, Page has always pushed for groundbreaking innovations. Beyond Google, he has invested in various ventures, including flying car startups and renewable energy technologies. Page’s vision and technical expertise have not only made him one of the wealthiest individuals globally but have also significantly shaped the modern internet landscape.
7. Warren Buffett – $139.8 billion
Warren Buffett, often referred to as the “Oracle of Omaha,” has amassed a fortune of $139.8 billion through his exceptional investment acumen and business leadership. Born in 1930 in Omaha, Nebraska, Buffett displayed an early aptitude for business and investing, buying his first stock at the age of 11 and filing his first tax return at 13.
Buffett’s path to immense wealth began in earnest when he took control of Berkshire Hathaway in 1965, transforming it from a struggling textile manufacturer into a diversified conglomerate and investment powerhouse. His value investing strategy, focusing on undervalued companies with strong fundamentals, has consistently outperformed the market over decades.
Known for his frugal lifestyle despite his vast wealth, Buffett has pledged to give away more than 99% of his fortune to philanthropic causes. His annual shareholder letters are widely read for their investment wisdom and economic insights. Buffett’s influence extends beyond finance; he is respected for his ethical approach to business and his advocacy for higher taxes on the ultra-wealthy.
8. Sergey Brin – $135 billion
Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google and former president of its parent company Alphabet, has accumulated a net worth of $135 billion. Born in Moscow in 1973, Brin immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of six, escaping anti-Semitism in the Soviet Union.
Brin met Larry Page while pursuing his Ph.D. in computer science at Stanford University. Together, they developed the PageRank algorithm and founded Google in 1998. As Google’s president of technology, Brin was instrumental in the company’s rapid growth and expansion into various tech sectors.
Known for his interest in moonshot projects, Brin has been a driving force behind many of Google’s most innovative initiatives, including Google Glass and the company’s self-driving car project (now Waymo). Although he stepped down from his executive role at Alphabet in 2019, Brin remains a controlling shareholder and board member.
9. Amancio Ortega – $128.5 billion
Amancio Ortega, the Spanish fashion tycoon and founder of Inditex, the world’s largest clothing retailer, has built a fortune of $128.5 billion. Born in 1936 in Busdongo de Arbás, Spain, Ortega came from humble beginnings and started his career as a shop hand for a local shirtmaker.
In 1975, Ortega founded Zara with his first wife, Rosalía Mera. The company’s innovative “fast fashion” model, which quickly brings runway trends to stores at affordable prices, revolutionized the retail industry. Ortega expanded his empire by creating Inditex, which now includes brands such as Pull&Bear, Massimo Dutti, and Bershka.
Despite his immense wealth, Ortega is known for his modest lifestyle and aversion to public attention. He rarely gives interviews and maintained a low profile even as Inditex grew into a global powerhouse. Ortega stepped down as chairman of Inditex in 2011 but still owns about 60% of the company’s shares.
10. Steve Ballmer – $122.1 billion
Steve Ballmer, former CEO of Microsoft and owner of the Los Angeles Clippers NBA team, has accumulated a net worth of $122.1 billion. Born in 1956 in Detroit, Michigan, Ballmer met Bill Gates at Harvard University and joined Microsoft in 1980 as the company’s 30th employee and first business manager.
Ballmer served as CEO of Microsoft from 2000 to 2014, overseeing the company’s transition from a software-focused business to a more diversified technology corporation. During his tenure, Microsoft’s annual revenue grew from $23 billion to $77 billion, though the company faced criticism for missing out on key technological trends like mobile and social media.
Since stepping down from Microsoft, Ballmer has focused on philanthropic efforts through the Ballmer Group, which he founded with his wife Connie. He also purchased the Los Angeles Clippers NBA team in 2014 for $2 billion. Known for his energetic and sometimes controversial public persona, Ballmer has become a popular figure in the sports world while continuing to manage his substantial wealth, primarily derived from his Microsoft stock holdings.
