Top 10 richest people in the world in 2024

• Elon Musk, with a net worth of $208 billion, is the world's richest person, leading Tesla and SpaceX. Bernard Arnault follows with $202 billion as the CEO of LVMH.
• The wealth of these top individuals is primarily rooted in technology, finance, and retail sectors.

The global wealth landscape is constantly changing. Following a year of unprecedented wealth creation, the world's richest individuals saw their net worth increase significantly. Late last month, Forbes revealed the top ten wealthiest people in the world. Currently, their fortunes are primarily rooted in the technology, finance, and retail sectors. However, the expanding wealth gap between these affluent individuals and the less privileged continues to be a major concern for people around the globe.

1. Elon Musk

Net worth: $208 billion
Country: United States
Age: 52
Elon Musk, the world's richest person, is the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. Musk is a visionary entrepreneur who is reshaping both terrestrial and extraterrestrial transportation. He leads Tesla, an electric car manufacturer with a staggering valuation of nearly $470 billion. Additionally, his aerospace company, SpaceX, boasts a valuation close to $180 billion. Elon Musk's net worth currently stands at $208 billion. In October 2022, Musk made headlines by buying Twitter for $44 billion.

2. Bernard Arnault & family

Net worth: $202 billion
Country: France
Age: 74
Bernard Arnault, the world's second richest person, is the CEO and chairman of LVMH, the largest luxury goods company. LVMH owns about 70 famous brands, including Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Moet & Chandon, and Sephora. In January 2021, LVMH bought Tiffany & Co. for $15.8 billion.

3. Jeff Bezos

Net worth: $197 billion
Country: United States
Age: 60
Despite a high-profile divorce from his wife MacKenzie in 2019, Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos maintain his status as one of the world's wealthiest individuals. His net worth of $194 billion positions him as the third richest person globally. Amazon's remarkable success during the COVID-19 pandemic contributed significantly to his wealth.

4. Mark Zuckerberg

Net worth: $167 billion
Country: United States
Age: 39
Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder, CEO, and chairman of Meta platforms, is a driving force behind the world's leading social network. With a net worth of $177 billion, he has held approximately 13% of Facebook's shares since the company went public in 2012. Zuckerberg is the youngest centi-billionaire, and the rapid growth of Instagram Reels has contributed to his wealth.

5. Larry Ellison

Net worth: $149 billion
Country: United States
Age: 79
Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle, has a net worth of $141 billion. While he stepped down as CEO in 2014, he continues to serve as the chairman of the board and chief technology advisor. Additionally, Ellison has a notable stake in Tesla and owns most of Lanai, a Hawaiian island.

6. Larry Page

Net worth: $143 billion
Country: United States
Age: 51
Larry Page, co-founder of Google, ranks sixth on the list with a net worth of $114 billion. He has also invested in space exploration company Planetary Resources and supports startups in the "Flying Car" industry through companies like Kitty Hawk and Opener.

7. Sergey Brin

Net worth: $137 billion
Country: United States
Age: 50
Sergey Brin, originally from Russia, co-founded the Google search engine in 1998 with his Stanford PhD colleague, Larry Page. Initially, Brin was Google's technology president before moving on to lead special projects like Google Glass, the voice-activated smart glasses. Today, he is a board member of Alphabet, Google's parent company, and holds a significant controlling stake in the company.

8. Warren Buffett

Net worth: $134 billion
Country: United States
Age: 93
Warren Buffett, renowned as the "Oracle of Omaha," is celebrated for his exceptional investment acumen. He helms Berkshire Hathaway, which boasts a diverse portfolio of over 60 companies, including Geico Insurance and Duracell. His net worth stands at $134 billion, and he began his investing journey at just 11 years old.

9. Bill Gates

Net worth: $129 billion
Country: United States
Age: 68
Co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates possesses a net worth of $129 billion. Gates transitioned away from Microsoft over the years, retaining only a 1% stake while diversifying his investments. His foundation remains the largest private charitable organisation globally.

10. Steve Ballmer

Net worth: $123 billion
Country: United States
Age: 67
Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer owns the Los Angeles Clippers and boasts a net worth of $123 billion. Ballmer's journey at Microsoft began in 1980, and he assumed the role of CEO in 2000, succeeding Bill Gates.

These rankings are based on the Forbes billionaire list as of June 5, 2024, and highlight their remarkable achievements and entrepreneurial prowess. It's important to note that the positions on this list can change rapidly this year as well as financial markets and business fortunes undertake an uncertain and volatile path forward.

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