Have you ever wondered who the top 30 richest people in the world are? Well, they come from different parts of the globe and work in various industries. Despite their differences, they share one thing in common – their incredible wealth, which they have accumulated through hard work, dedication, and outstanding business skills. This post will take you on an exciting journey through the lives and riches of the top 30 billionaires in the world. From the least wealthy to the incredibly rich, we will explore fascinating insights about their assets and ownership stakes and even share a memorable quote from each. We hope you’ll find our findings interesting.
Side note: The information on net worth has been obtained from Forbes and is current as of October 2023.
30. Jensen Huang
- Net worth: $38.9 billion
- Age: 60
- Country: United States
- Source of wealth: Semiconductors
- Other assets: None known
- Ownership stake: 3.6% in Nvidia
- Famous quote: “Software is eating the world, but AI is going to eat software.”
Jensen Huang is the co-founder and CEO of Nvidia, a leading semiconductor company that designs graphics processing units (GPUs). GPUs are used in a wide range of products, including computers, video games, and artificial intelligence (AI).
Jensen Huang was born in Tainan, Taiwan, on February 17, 1963. His journey to success is truly inspiring. Huang co-founded Nvidia in 1993 with a vision to revolutionize the world of computer graphics and Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) technology. Under his visionary leadership, Nvidia quickly became a leading company in graphics, artificial intelligence, and high-performance computing. Today, the company’s GPUs are widely used in gaming, scientific research, autonomous vehicles, and deep learning applications.
28 & 29. John Mars and Jacqueline Mars
- Net worth: $38.9 billion each
- Age: 87 and 83
- Country: United States
- Source of wealth: Candy, pet food
- Other assets: None known
- Ownership stake: John and Jacqueline each own an estimated one-third of the company. His late brother Forrest Jr.’s four daughters own the rest.
- Famous quote: “Don’t give up. Just because an idea didn’t work out the first time, doesn’t mean it won’t work at all. Keep working on it and learn from your mistakes – could you imagine a life without Mars bars?” (Jacqueline Mars)
John and Jacqueline Mars are the grandchildren of Frank Mars, who founded Mars, Inc. in 1911. Mars is one of the world’s largest food companies, and its products include M&M’s, Snickers, Milky Way, and Pedigree pet food.
John and Jacqueline Mars, as key members of the Mars family, have played pivotal roles in shaping the company’s values and long-term vision. They have continued to uphold the Mars tradition of focusing on quality, innovation, and responsible business practices, ensuring that the company remains a global leader in the food and pet care industries.
27. Phil Knight
- Net worth: $38.9 billion
- Age: 85
- Country: United States
- Source of wealth: Nike
- Other assets: stop-motion animation studio, Laika Studios
- Ownership stake: 17% in Nike
- Famous quote: “We knew we could fail; we just didn’t think we would.”
Phil Knight is a legendary personality in the world of sports and athletics. He is renowned as the co-founder of Nike, Inc. Phil was born on February 24, 1938, in Portland, Oregon. His life story is a testimony to entrepreneurship, innovation, and a deep passion for sports.
In 1964, Phil Knight and his former track coach, Bill Bowerman, collaborated to create Blue Ribbon Sports. The company was initially focused on importing high-quality running shoes from Japan. This venture laid the foundation for what would eventually become one of the world’s most iconic and influential athletic apparel and footwear brands, Nike.
Nike is one of the most valuable brands in the world, and its products are sold in over 170 countries. Phil Knight also played a role in shaping Nike’s approach to corporate responsibility. Under his leadership, the company has made strides in sustainable manufacturing, labor practices, and community engagement.
26. Zhang Yiming
- Net worth: $39.1 billion
- Age: 39
- Country: China
- Source of wealth: TikTok
- Other assets: None known
- Ownership stake: 20% in ByteDance
- Famous quote: “Do not internalize external causes, and do not mistake luck for capability.”
Zhang Yiming is a well-known personality in the world of technology, renowned as the founder of ByteDance. This Chinese tech company created the most popular social media apps globally. Born in 1983 in Longyan, Fujian, China, Zhang Yiming’s success story is an inspiring tale of entrepreneurship and innovation.
In 2012, Zhang Yiming established ByteDance to develop innovative platforms and mobile apps for content creation. Under his leadership, ByteDance created several successful products, including Toutiao – a personalized news app, and TikTok – a short-form video platform that gained immense popularity worldwide.
TikTok, known initially as Douyin in China, was launched in 2016 under Zhang’s leadership, and it quickly became a sensation globally. Known for its user-generated content and creative video format, TikTok captured the attention of millions of users worldwide, making it one of the most downloaded and influential social media platforms.
25. Dieter Schwarz
- Net worth: $47.4 billion
- Age: 84
- Country: Germany
- Source of wealth: Retail
- Other assets: None known
- Ownership stake: 100% in Schwarz Gruppe
- Famous quote: None known
Dieter Schwarz is a prominent and highly successful businessman, mostly known as the CEO and owner of the Schwarz Gruppe – a German retail conglomerate. He was born on September 24, 1939, in Heilbronn, Germany. Dieter Schwarz’s story of becoming a business magnate showcases his strategic understanding and commitment to the retail industry.
Schwarz Gruppe, the parent company of Lidl and Kaufland, two of Europe’s largest and most well-known supermarket chains, has expanded its footprint within Germany and internationally under Dieter Schwarz’s leadership. These chains offer consumers a wide range of affordable groceries and household goods.
Despite his immense business success, Dieter Schwarz is known for his low-profile and private nature, keeping a relatively low public profile. His strategic approach to retail, characterized by a focus on efficiency, quality, and competitive pricing, has allowed Schwarz Gruppe to thrive in the highly competitive grocery industry.
24. David Thomson
- Net worth: $53.8 billion
- Age: 66
- Country: Canada
- Source of wealth: Media
- Other assets: stocks in Bell Canada; owns the Globe and Mail newspaper
- Ownership stake: David Thomson owns about 14% of Woodbridge’s assets, and his relatives own the rest.
- Famous quote: “For the best part of 100 years, movies made stories about a certain view of love, and it shaped us all, whether we like it or not. Our lessons were about how to look at people of the other sex. How you kiss, what you say. We learned a lot about love from the movies. We’ve matured a bit, and we can see there’s a lot more to love.”
David Thomson, the 3rd Baron Thomson of Fleet, is a well-known Canadian businessman and media magnate born in Toronto, Canada on June 12, 1957. He is best known for being the Chairman of Thomson Reuters, a global media and information company founded by his family.
Thomson Reuters is a multinational corporation that offers news, financial information, and professional services to businesses, governments, and individuals worldwide. Under David Thomson’s leadership, the company has continued to adapt to the changing media and information landscape.
David Thomson comes from the Thomson family, one of Canada’s wealthiest and most influential business dynasties. Their media empire includes ownership of newspapers, television stations, and other media assets.
Despite his significant wealth and status, David Thomson is known for being private and low-profile. He has been involved in various philanthropic endeavors, including supporting education and cultural institutions.
23. Charles Koch
- Net worth: $54.5 billion each
- Age: 87
- Country: United States
- Source of wealth: Koch Industries
- Other assets: None known
- Ownership stake: 42% in Koch Industries
- Famous quote: “From the beginning of time, business has cozied up to government and gotten restrictions on competition and subsidies and stuff.”
Charles Koch is a renowned American businessman and philanthropist who gained popularity for his leadership in Koch Industries. Koch Industries is one of the largest privately-owned conglomerates in the United States, founded by his father, Fred C. Koch. Charles Koch has played a crucial role in the growth and development of the corporation, which now has diverse interests in various industries like energy, chemicals, manufacturing, and finance.
Born on November 1, 1935, in Wichita, Kansas, Charles Koch is an exemplary figure of entrepreneurship, innovation, and dedication to libertarian principles. He is also known for advocating free-market capitalism and libertarian principles, which he has promoted through his involvement in think tanks and philanthropic organizations. Charles Koch is an outspoken supporter of limited government intervention and individual liberty.
22. Gautam Adani
- Net worth: $54.7 billion.
- Age: 61.
- Country: India
- Source of wealth: Infrastructure, commodities
- Other assets: Mumbai International Airport, Holcim India
- Ownership stake: more than 65% in Adani Group companies
- Famous quote: “Business is all about risk-taking and managing uncertainties and turbulence.”
Gautam Adani is a well-known Indian industrialist and entrepreneur admired for his leadership in the Adani Group – one of India’s largest and most diversified conglomerates. He was born on June 24, 1962, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Gautam Adani’s journey to becoming a business tycoon is a remarkable story of vision, determination, and exceptional growth.
Gautam Adani founded the Adani Group in 1988, and since then, the group has grown exponentially under his leadership, with interests in various sectors such as infrastructure, energy, logistics, and ports. The group’s contribution to developing critical infrastructure projects in India, including power generation, renewable energy, and transportation, has gained recognition.
21. Julia Koch
- Net worth: $59.8 billion
- Age: 61
- Country: United States
- Source of wealth: Koch Industries
- Other assets: None known
- Ownership stake: 42% in Koch Industries
- Famous quote: “I’ve become a throwback to the 1950s. It is not an original path, but it is interesting nonetheless.”
Julia Koch is a well-known personality in the business and philanthropic world, famous for her involvement in Koch Industries and her dedication to various charitable causes. Born on April 12, 1962, in Indianola, Iowa, Julia Koch’s life story is characterized by her commitment to family, business, and philanthropy.
Julia Koch gained prominence in business and media circles as the wife of David H. Koch, one of the billionaire brothers of Koch Industries, a vast conglomerate with interests in energy, chemicals, and other industries. Following David Koch’s passing in 2019, Julia Koch inherited a significant share in the family business.
20. Zhong Shanshan
- Net worth: $63.1 billion
- Age: 68
- Country: China
- Source of wealth: Beverages, pharmaceuticals
- Other assets: Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy
- Ownership stake: 84% in Nongfu Spring
- Famous quote: “I don’t have the habit of flattery in my personality.”
Zhong Shanshan is a Chinese billionaire businessman and the founder and chairman of Nongfu Spring, China’s largest bottled water company. He was born in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China in 1954. Before starting his own business, he dropped out of elementary school during the Cultural Revolution and worked various jobs, including construction worker, newspaper reporter, and beverage sales agent.
In 1996, Zhong founded Nongfu Spring. He started by selling spring water from Thousand Island Lake in Zhejiang Province. The company quickly became famous for its high-quality water and marketing campaigns, which focused on the natural purity of the water.
Nongfu Spring has over 20 production bases across China and produces various beverages, including bottled water, juice, tea, and coffee. The company also produces other food and beverage products, such as snacks and dairy products. Nongfu Spring’s initial public offering (IPO) on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2020 was one of the most significant IPOs in the world that year. The company’s successful listing further solidified Zhong’s status as one of China’s wealthiest individuals.
19. Alice Walton
- Net worth: $65.2 billion
- Age: 73
- Country: United States
- Source of wealth: Walmart
- Other assets: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
- Ownership stake: Walton family owns 50% of the Walmart shares
- Famous quote: “One of the great responsibilities that I have is to manage my assets wisely, so that they create value.”
Walton is the daughter of Sam Walton, founder of Walmart. Walmart is the world’s largest retailer.
Alice Walton was born in Newport, Arkansas, in 1949. She graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, with a degree in economics. After college, she worked as a buyer for JCPenney before joining Walmart in 1980. She served on the company’s board of directors from 1988 to 2018.
In 2011, Alice Walton opened the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas. The museum houses a collection of over 20,000 works of American art, including paintings, sculptures, and photographs.
Walton is also a philanthropist and has donated millions of dollars to various causes, including education, healthcare, and the arts. She founded the Walton Family Foundation, which supports programs and initiatives in K-12 education, college access and affordability, and environmental conservation.
Walton is a private person and rarely gives interviews. She is known for her love of art and her commitment to philanthropy.
18. Rob Walton
- Net worth: $66.2 billion
- Age: 78
- Country: United States
- Source of wealth: Walmart
- Other assets: Denver Broncos
- Ownership stake: Walton family owns 50% of the Walmart shares
- Famous quote: “If you exercise your mind, you’re not going to get sick.”
Rob Walton is the eldest son of Sam Walton, founder of Walmart. He was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1944. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in business administration in 1966 and from the Columbia University School of Law with a juris doctor degree in 1969.
Walton joined Walmart in 1969 and served in various positions, including senior vice president, corporate secretary, general counsel, and vice chairman. He became chairman of the board of directors in 1992. He retired as chairman in 2015 but remains a member of the board.
Under Walton’s leadership, Walmart expanded its global reach and became its largest retailer. He also oversaw the company’s transition to a more sustainable business model. In 2006, Walmart committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2020. The company has also invested in renewable energy and sustainable agriculture.
17. Jim Walton
- Net worth: $67.0 billion
- Age: 75
- Country: United States
- Source of wealth: Walmart
- Other assets: CEO of Waltons’ Arvest Bank Group, Inc.
- Ownership stake: Walton family owns 50% of the Walmart shares
- Famous quote: “If we were in a similar circumstance in the future, I would want to make sure that our reporting was at least as diverse as it was during this most recent war.”
Jim Walton is the youngest son of Sam Walton, founder of Walmart. He was born in Bentonville, Arkansas, in 1948. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in business administration in 1971.
Walton joined Walmart in 1972 and served in a variety of positions, including executive vice president, chief operating officer, and president. He was named vice chairman of the board of directors in 2005.
Walton is known for his focus on customer service and employee commitment. He has also been a strong advocate for sustainability and renewable energy.
In addition to his work at Walmart, Walton is also chairman of the board of directors of Arvest Bank Group, Inc., a regional bank with over 300 branches in four states. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Walton Family Foundation, which supports programs and initiatives in the areas of K-12 education, college access and affordability, and environmental conservation.
16. Michael Dell
- Net worth: $71.0 billion
- Age: 58
- Country: United States
- Source of wealth: Dell Technologies
- Other assets: MSD Capital, VMware
- Ownership stake: 52% in Dell Technologies
- Famous quote: “You don’t have to be a genius or a visionary or even a college graduate to be successful. You just need a framework and a dream.”
Dell Technologies is the world’s largest PC maker and a leading computer hardware and services provider. Dell Technologies was founded by Michael Dell in 1984 in his college dorm room.
Michael Dell was born in Houston, Texas, in 1965. He started his first business, a stamp trading business, at the age of 12. At 16, he started selling computers from his college dorm room at the University of Texas at Austin. He dropped out of college a year later to pursue his business full-time.
In 2016, Dell acquired EMC Corporation in a deal valued at $67 billion, creating Dell Technologies. The acquisition made Dell Technologies one of the largest technology companies in the world, with a broad portfolio of products and services.
Today, Dell Technologies is headquartered in Round Rock, Texas, and employs over 165,000 people worldwide. The company sells its products and services to businesses, governments, and consumers in over 180 countries.
15. Françoise Bettencourt Meyers
- Net worth: $83.5 billion
- Age: 70
- Country: France
- Source of wealth: L’Oréal
- Other assets: None known
- Ownership stake: The Bettencourt Meyers family is the largest owner of L’Oréal with 33% ownership stake
- Famous quote: “Value your time by putting a price tag on it.”
Bettencourt Meyers is the heiress to L’Oréal, the world’s largest cosmetics company. L’Oréal was founded by her grandfather, Eugène Schueller, in 1909.
Bettencourt Meyers was born in 1953 and grew up in Neuilly-sur-Seine, a wealthy suburb of Paris. She studied mathematics and physics at the École Polytechnique, France’s most prestigious university. After graduating, she worked as a computer programmer before joining L’Oréal in 1988.
Bettencourt Meyers served on L’Oréal’s board of directors for over 20 years. She was also the chairwoman of the company’s family holding company, Tethys Invest. In 2017, her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, died, and Bettencourt Meyers inherited her mother’s 33% stake in L’Oréal.
Bettencourt Meyers is a private person and rarely gives interviews. She is known for her interest in science and the arts. She is also a philanthropist and has donated millions of dollars to support education, healthcare, and environmental causes.
14. Amancio Ortega
- Net worth: $88.3 billion
- Age: 87
- Country: Spain
- Source of wealth: Zara
- Other assets: real estate in Madrid, London, Chicago, and New York, among others
- Ownership stake: Over 60% in Inditex
- Famous quote: “The customer has always driven the business model…”
Amancio Ortega is the founder and chairman emeritus of Inditex, the parent company of Zara. Zara is one of the world’s largest clothing retailers.
Ortega was born in Busdongo de Arbas, Spain, in 1936. He grew up in poverty and started working in a shirt shop at 13. In 1975, he opened his first Zara store in A Coruña, Spain. The store was a success, and Ortega began to open new Zara stores throughout Spain.
In the 1980s, Ortega expanded Zara internationally, opening stores in Portugal, France, and the United States. In the 1990s, Ortega launched several other brands under the Inditex umbrella, including Bershka, Pull&Bear, Massimo Dutti, Oysho, and Stradivarius.
Today, Inditex is one of the world’s largest fashion retailers, with over 6,600 stores in 96 countries. The company employs over 175,000 people and generates over €28 billion in annual revenue.
13. Carlos Slim Helu
- Net worth: $89.1 billion
- Age: 83
- Country: Mexico
- Source of wealth: Telecom
- Other assets: 17% of The New York Times, 79% stake in Grupo Carso
- Ownership stake: 49.00% in América Móvil
- Famous quote: “Profitability is coming from productivity, efficiency, management, austerity, and the way to manage the business.”
Carlos Slim Helú is a Mexican business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. He is the founder and chairman of América Móvil, the largest mobile phone company in Latin America and one of the largest mobile phone companies in the world. América Móvil also has operations in the United States and Europe.
Slim was born in Mexico City in 1940. He studied civil engineering at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. After graduating, he started his brokerage firm, later expanding into a conglomerate called Grupo Carso. Grupo Carso has interests in various industries, including telecommunications, construction, retail, and mining.
In 1990, Slim acquired a stake in Telmex, Mexico’s state-owned telephone company. He later privatized Telmex and turned it into one of the most profitable telecommunications companies in the world. In 2000, Slim founded América Móvil, quickly becoming Latin America’s largest mobile phone company.
Slim is a controversial figure. He has been criticized for monopolizing the Mexican telecommunications market and his family’s wealth. However, he is also admired for his business acumen and his philanthropy. He has generously donated millions to support important causes such as education, healthcare, and social welfare.
12. Mukesh Ambani
- Net worth: $91.7 billion
- Age: 66
- Country: India
- Source of wealth: Diversified
- Other assets: None known
- Ownership stake: The Ambani family, holds 50.39% of the total shares
- Famous quote: “In the journey of an entrepreneur, the most important thing is self-belief and the ability to convert that belief into reality.”
Ambani is the chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries, India’s largest private company. Reliance Industries is involved in a wide range of industries, including oil and gas, petrochemicals, retail, and telecommunications.
Ambani was born in Aden, Yemen, in 1957. He moved to India with his family in 1966. He studied chemical engineering at the Institute of Chemical Technology in Mumbai, India, then earned an MBA from Stanford University in the United States.
Ambani joined Reliance Industries in 1981. He helped expand the company’s petrochemical business and launched Reliance Retail, India’s largest retailer. In 2016, Ambani launched Reliance Jio, a telecommunications company that quickly became India’s largest mobile phone operator.
Ambani is a visionary leader and philanthropist who has transformed the Indian economy. In 2019, Ambani was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in India.
11. Michael Bloomberg
- Net worth: $96.3 billion
- Age: 81
- Country: United States
- Source of wealth: Bloomberg LP
- Other assets: None known
- Ownership stake: 88% in Bloomberg LP
- Famous quote: “This is the city of dreamers and time and again it’s the place where the greatest dream of all, the American dream, has been tested and has triumphed.”
Michael Bloomberg is the founder and chairman of Bloomberg LP, a leading global business and financial information and news leader. Bloomberg LP provides real-time data, news, analytics, and tools to the international financial community through its iconic Bloomberg Terminal and digital, mobile, and print offerings.
Bloomberg was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1942. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a degree in electrical engineering and from Harvard Business School with an MBA. After graduating from Harvard, Bloomberg worked at Salomon Brothers, an investment bank, before starting his own company, Bloomberg LP, in 1981.
Bloomberg LP quickly became a leading provider of financial information and software. The company’s flagship product, the Bloomberg Terminal, is used by millions of financial professionals worldwide. Bloomberg LP also owns and operates Bloomberg Media, which includes Bloomberg News, Bloomberg Television, and Bloomberg Radio.
In addition to his business career, Bloomberg has served as New York City’s mayor from 2002 to 2013.
10. Steve Ballmer
- Net worth: $97.1 billion
- Age: 67
- Country: United States
- Source of wealth: Microsoft
- Other assets: Los Angeles Clippers, Redmond
- Ownership stake: 4.5% in Microsoft
- Famous quote: “The number one benefit of information technology is that it empowers people to do what they want to do. It lets people be creative. It lets people be productive. It lets people learn things they didn’t think they could learn before, and so, in a sense, it is all about potential.”
Steve Ballmer is a billionaire American businessman and investor. He was the CEO of Microsoft from 2000 to 2014. Presently, he owns the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). As of June 2023, the Bloomberg Billionaires Index estimates his wealth at approximately $114 billion, which places him as the ninth-richest individual in the world.
Ballmer was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1956. He graduated from Harvard University with a degree in applied mathematics and economics. After graduating from Harvard, Ballmer worked as a product manager at Procter & Gamble before joining Microsoft in 1980.
At Microsoft, Ballmer quickly rose through the ranks. He was named president of the company in 1998 and CEO in 2000. Under Ballmer’s leadership, Microsoft expanded its product line and entered new markets. The company acquired several other companies, including Nokia’s mobile phone business.
Ballmer retired as CEO of Microsoft in 2014. Satya Nadella succeeded him.
Ballmer is a passionate sports fan. In 2014, he purchased the Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion. He has also donated millions of dollars to support education and philanthropy.
9. Sergey Brin
- Net worth: $105.9 billion
- Age: 50
- Country: United States
- Source of wealth: Google
- Other assets: shares in Tesla and 23andMe
- Ownership stake: 5.7% in Alphabet
- Famous quote: “Obviously everyone wants to be successful, but I want to be looked back on as being very innovative, very trusted and ethical and ultimately making a big difference in the world.”
Sergey Brin is the co-founder of Google, the world’s most popular search engine. Google is now part of Alphabet, a holding company that also owns several other companies, including YouTube and X.
Sergey Brin served as Google’s president of technology until 2011. He then became Google’s technical advisor. In 2015, Brin became the president of Alphabet, Google’s parent company. He stepped down as president of Alphabet in 2019, but he remains a co-founder and board member. Brin is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has received numerous awards for his work, including the ACM’s Grace Hopper Award and the IEEE’s Longuet-Higgins Prize.
8. Mark Zuckerberg
- Net worth: $106.6 billion
- Age: 39
- Country: United States
- Source of wealth: Facebook (a Meta Company).
- Other assets: None known
- Ownership stake: 12.8% in Meta
- Famous quote: “The biggest risk is not taking any risk… In a world that is changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks. “
Mark Zuckerberg is the founder and CEO of Meta, the parent company of Facebook. Facebook is the world’s largest social media platform.
Mark Zuckerberg was born in White Plains, New York, in 1984. He began programming computers at a young age and developed several software programs, including a music player called Winamp. In 2004, while he was a student at Harvard University, Zuckerberg launched Facebook. The site quickly became popular among college students and eventually spread to other campuses.
In 2006, Zuckerberg left Harvard to focus on Facebook full-time. The company moved to Palo Alto, California, and began attracting investors. In 2007, Facebook opened its doors to the public.
Facebook has been criticized for its privacy practices and role in spreading misinformation. However, the company remains one of the most popular websites worldwide.
7. Bill Gates
- Net worth: $108.0 billion
- Age: 67
- Country: United States
- Source of wealth: Microsoft
- Other assets: The Giving Pledge, Cascade Investment LLC; investments in Canadian National Railway, AutoNation, approximately 242,000 acres of farmland in the U.S.
- Ownership stake: 0.9% in Microsoft
- Famous quote: “Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.”
Bill Gates is the co-founder of Microsoft, the world’s largest software company. Microsoft is known for its Windows operating system and Office productivity suite. Gates also founded the Giving Pledge, a philanthropic initiative encouraging the world’s wealthiest people to donate at least half their fortunes to charity.
Bill Gates was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. He graduated from Harvard University with a degree in applied mathematics and economics. After graduating from Harvard, Gates and Allen founded Microsoft in 1975. The company quickly became a leader in the personal computer software market.
In the 1980s, Microsoft released its Windows operating system, which became the dominant operating system for personal computers. In the 1990s, Microsoft released its Office productivity suite, which became the standard for office software.
Gates retired from Microsoft as CEO in 2000, but he remained chairman and an advisor to the company until 2014. He is now the co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
6. Warren Buffett
- Net worth: $117.0 billion
- Age: 93
- Country: United States
- Source of wealth: Investing
- Other assets: None known
- Ownership stake: 37.3% in Berkshire Hathaway
- Famous quote: “Invest in what you know.”
Warren Buffett is a prominent American billionaire renowned for his astute investments and philanthropic contributions. He currently serves as the CEO and chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, a holding company that owns various businesses, including energy, insurance, and railroads. Buffett, often called the “Oracle of Omaha,” has an impressive investment track record, earning him international recognition.
Buffett was born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1930. He began investing at a young age and bought his first stock at 11. After graduating from college, Buffett worked as a securities analyst and started his investment firm in 1956. In 1965, Buffett took control of Berkshire Hathaway and transformed the company from a textile manufacturer into a holding company.
Berkshire Hathaway has been one of the most successful companies in history. Under Buffett’s leadership, the company’s stock price has outperformed the S&P 500 by a significant margin.
5. Larry Page
- Net worth: $110.2 billion
- Age: 50
- Country: United States
- Source of wealth: Google
- Other assets: None known
- Ownership stake: 6.1% in Alphabet
- Famous quote: “If you’re changing the world, you’re working on important things. You’re excited to get up in the morning.”
Larry Page was born in East Lansing, Michigan, in 1973. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Computer Engineering and later enrolled at Stanford University to pursue a Ph.D. in Computer Science. During his time at Stanford, he met Sergey Brin, and together, they built a web search engine that quickly became popular. To focus on the growth of their new venture, they suspended their Ph.D. studies and started Google in Susan Wojcicki’s garage in Menlo Park.
Under Page’s leadership, Google has become one of the most successful companies in the world, revolutionizing how people search for information. The company has also developed many other products and services, including Gmail, Google Maps, and Google Docs.
4. Larry Ellison
- Net worth: $135.9 billion
- Age: 79
- Country: United States
- Source of wealth: Oracle
- Other assets: 3 million shares of Tesla, $1 billion worth of real estate
- Ownership stake: about 35% in Oracle
- Famous quote: “When you innovate, you’ve got to be prepared for everyone telling you you’re nuts.”
Larry Ellison is the co-founder and former CEO of Oracle, a leading software company. Oracle is the world’s second-largest software company by revenue. Born on August 17, 1944, in New York City, Ellison’s journey to becoming one of the world’s wealthiest individuals is remarkable.
He founded Oracle in 1977, alongside Bob Miner and Ed Oates, with a vision to create a powerful relational database management system. Under his leadership, Oracle rapidly became a dominant force in the software industry, specializing in database technology and enterprise software solutions. Businesses and organizations worldwide widely use the company’s products and services.
Ellison’s innovative mindset and determination have played a pivotal role in Oracle’s success. His relentless pursuit of excellence and willingness to embrace emerging technologies have solidified his reputation as a tech visionary. During his tenure as CEO, he expanded Oracle’s product offerings and orchestrated strategic acquisitions to further strengthen the company’s position in the market.
3. Jeff Bezos
- Net worth: $150.0 billion
- Age: 59
- Country: United States
- Source of wealth: Amazon
- Other assets: The Washington Post, Blue Origin
- Ownership stake: 12.7% in Amazon
- Famous quote: “A brand for a company is like a reputation for a person. You earn reputation by trying to do hard things well.”
Jeff Bezos is a well-known American entrepreneur and business magnate who has played a transformative role in the tech and e-commerce industries. He was born on January 12, 1964, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Bezos’ life story is a remarkable innovation, entrepreneurship, and global impact journey.
In 1994, Bezos founded Amazon.com as an online bookstore. Under his visionary leadership, Amazon has grown into the world’s largest online retailer, offering a vast array of products, services, and digital content. The mission of being the “Earth’s most customer-centric company” has driven its growth and success.
In February 2021, Jeff Bezos stepped down as CEO of Amazon. Still, he continued to be the company’s Executive Chairman, focusing on initiatives such as the Bezos Earth Fund, which addresses climate change and other projects.
Aside from Amazon, Bezos also owns The Washington Post newspaper and the Blue Origin aerospace company.
2. Bernard Arnault
- Net worth: $187.6 billion
- Age: 74
- Country: France
- Source of wealth: LVMH
- Other assets: Art collection with works of Picasso, Yves Klein, Henry Moore, yacht Symphony.
- Ownership stake: 48% in LVMH
- Famous quote: “Money is just a consequence. I always say to my team, ‘Don’t worry too much about profitability. If you do your job well, the profitability will come.'”
Bernard Arnault is a well-known French businessman, serving as the Chairman and CEO of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, commonly referred to as LVMH. Arnault was born on March 5, 1949, in Roubaix, France. His life story exemplifies his visionary leadership in the luxury goods industry.
Arnault joined LVMH in 1989, and under his leadership, the company has become the world’s most prominent luxury goods conglomerate. It has a portfolio of prestigious brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Givenchy, Moët & Chandon, and Hennessy. His emphasis on innovation, quality, and brand management has solidified LVMH’s position as a leader in the luxury market.
Arnault’s business understanding is reflected in his ability to identify and acquire luxury brands, expanding LVMH’s reach and influence in the fashion, spirits, and cosmetics industries. His commitment to preserving the heritage and craftsmanship of these brands has been a hallmark of his leadership.
Apart from his role in the luxury sector, Bernard Arnault is known for his philanthropic efforts and support of the arts. He has patronized cultural institutions, including the Fondation Louis Vuitton, a contemporary art museum in Paris.
1. Elon Musk
- Net worth: $252.6 billion
- Age: 52
- Country: United States
- Source of wealth: Tesla, SpaceX
- Other assets: Twitter
- Ownership stake: 13.04% in Tesla; 42% in Space X
- Famous quote: “When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor.”
Elon Musk is a visionary entrepreneur and business magnate known for his pioneering work in the tech and transportation industries. Born on June 28, 1971, in Pretoria, South Africa, Musk’s life story is a remarkable journey of innovation, ambition, and audacious goals.
Musk is the co-founder and CEO of Tesla, Inc., a leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer. Under his leadership, Tesla has revolutionized the automotive industry with a focus on sustainability, electric mobility, and cutting-edge technology. The company’s electric cars, such as the Model S and Model 3, have garnered widespread acclaim for their performance and environmental benefits.
In addition to Tesla, Musk is also the CEO and founder of SpaceX, a private aerospace manufacturer and space exploration company. SpaceX’s ambitious missions include reducing the cost of space travel and making Mars colonization a reality. The company has achieved significant milestones, including launching reusable rockets and sending astronauts to the International Space Station.
Musk recently made headlines by acquiring Twitter, a social media platform, in a $44 billion deal. This acquisition has sparked controversy, but Musk has stated that his goal is to make Twitter a more open and accessible platform for speech.
Furthermore, Musk is involved in other groundbreaking ventures, including:
- Starlink: A satellite internet constellation designed to provide high-speed internet access to underserved and remote areas worldwide.
- Starship: A reusable spacecraft designed to transport humans and cargo to Mars, aiming to enable interplanetary colonization.
- Hyperloop: A high-speed transportation system that aims to revolutionize long-distance travel through low-pressure tubes.
Elon Musk’s entrepreneurial spirit and innovative mindset have earned him a reputation as one of the most influential figures in technology, space exploration, and communications. His relentless drive to advance sustainable energy solutions, space exploration, and human progress has made him a visionary leader in the 21st century.
Wrapping Up:
It is important to note that wealth is not the only measure of success; many other things in life, such as health, happiness, and relationships, are also important. However, the people on this list inspire, showing what is possible with hard work and determination.
We hope you enjoyed this blog post about the top 30 richest people in the world. If you’re feeling inspired, go out there and make your mark on the planet. Who knows? Maybe one day, you’ll be on this list too!
Here’s a quick recap of the top 30 richest people in the world:
Name | Net Worth (USD) | Source of Wealth |
---|---|---|
Elon Musk | 252.6 B | Tesla, SpaceX |
Bernard Arnault | 187.6 B | LVMH |
Jeff Bezos | 150.0 B | Amazon |
Larry Ellison | 135.9 B | Oracle |
Warren Buffett | 117.0 B | Berkshire Hathaway |
Larry Page | 110.2 B | |
Bill Gates | 108.0 B | Microsoft |
Mark Zuckerberg | 106.6 B | |
Sergey Brin | 105.9 B | |
Steve Ballmer | 97.1 B | Microsoft |
Michael Bloomberg | 96.3 B | Bloomberg LP |
Mukesh Ambani | 91.7 B | Diversified |
Carlos Slim Helu | 89.1 B | Telecom |
Amancio Ortega | 88.3 B | Zara |
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers | 83.5 B | L'Oréal |
Michael Dell | 71.0 B | Dell Technologies |
Jim Walton | 67.0 B | Walmart |
Rob Walton | 66.2 B | Walmart |
Alice Walton | 65.2 B | Walmart |
Zhong Shanshan | 63.1 B | Beverages, pharmaceuticals |
Julia Koch | 59.8 B | Koch Industries |
Gautam Adani | 54.7 B | Infrastructure, commodities |
Charles Koch | 54.5 B | Koch Industries |
David Thomson | 53.8 B | Media |
Dieter Schwarz | 47.4 B | Retail |
Zhang Yiming | 39.1 B | TikTok |
Phil Knight | 38.9 B | Nike |
Jacqueline Mars | 38.9 B | Candy, pet food |
John Mars | 38.9 B | Candy, pet food |
Jensen Huang | 38.9 B | Semiconductors |
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