In a society and era fueled by ambition and a drive for entrepreneurship, there is a distinguished set of individuals that’s achieved unimaginable fortunes. These extraordinary leaders, who possess vision and innovation, have ascended to the highest echelons of success, elevating themselves to the exclusive ranks of the world’s wealthiest individuals. 

And that’s no small feat. 

After all, the net worth of the top 10 richest people surpasses the GDP of numerous nations. Today, their wealth is primarily concentrated in technology, finance, and retail industries. And the growing wealth disparity between them and the less privileged is a significant concern for people worldwide. 

This article unveils the identities of the top 10 richest people globally, shedding light on their remarkable accomplishments, entrepreneurial aptitude, and profound influence on the global economy. This ranked list is sourced from Forbes. 

 

Disclaimer: Currency values mentioned in this article are accurate as of 31.07.23 and are subject to fluctuation. 

Top 10 richest people in the world

Name & Rank	Net Worth (in $ Billions)	Source of Wealth	Country
#1 Elon Musk	$240.7 B	Tesla, SpaceX	United States
#2 Bernard Arnault & family	$231.4 B	LVMH	France
#3 Jeff Bezos	$154.9 B	Amazon	United States
#4 Larry Ellison	$146.1 B	Oracle	United States
#5 Bill Gates	$119.3 B	Microsoft	United States
#6 Warren Buffett	$117.4 B	Berkshire Hathaway	United States
#7 Mark Zuckerberg	$115.2 B	Facebook	United States
#8 Larry Page	$111.9 B	Google	United States
#9 Sergey Brin	$106.2 B	Google	United States
#10 Steve Ballmer	$103.4 B	Microsoft	United States

 

 

Get to know the top 10 richest people in the world

Elon Musk

• Net worth: $240.7 B
• Source: Tesla and SpaceX
• Age: 51
• Residence: Austin, Texas
• Citizenship: US

Elon Musk is the richest person in the world. He is the CEO of several prominent companies, including electric car manufacturer Tesla and space exploration company SpaceX. He currently possesses a 23 percent stake in Tesla. A significant portion of his wealth, around two-thirds, is tied to the success of Tesla. Musk made headlines in October 2022 when he purchased Twitter for $44 billion. 

Musk led Tesla to its initial public offering in 2010. The company experienced significant growth in market capitalisation during 2020 and 2021, propelling Musk to the position of the world’s top 10 richest people in September 2021. At its peak in November 2021, Musk’s fortune reached an astounding $320 billion. 

 

Bernard Arnault & Family

•     Net worth: $231.4 B
•     Source: LVMH/ luxury goods
•     Age: 74
•     Residence: Paris
•     Citizenship: France

Bernard Arnault, the second richest person in the world, is the CEO and chairman at Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH), the world’s largest luxury goods company encompassing approximately 70 renowned fashion and cosmetics brands. Notable names within its portfolio include Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Moet & Chandon, and Sephora. In January 2021, LVMH completed the acquisition of jeweller Tiffany & Co. for a staggering $15.8 billion.

Arnault’s five children contribute to various sectors within the expansive LVMH empire. In January 2023, he appointed his daughter Delphine to lead Dior, the group’s second-largest brand. 

Jeff Bezos

• Net worth: $154.9 B
• Source: Amazon
• Age: 59
• Residence: Medina, Washington
• Citizenship: US

In July 2021, Jeff Bezos decided to give up his role as CEO of the ecommerce powerhouse Amazon while still maintaining his position as chairman. During the same month, he embarked on a space voyage aboard a rocket developed by Blue Origin, a private space exploration company he established and generously funded with billions of dollars.
 

Larry Ellison

• Net worth: $146.1 B
• Source: Oracle
• Age: 78
• Residence: Lanai, Hawaii
• Citizenship: US

Larry Ellison co-founded the software firm Oracle in 1977 and held the position of its CEO until 2014. Currently, he assumes the company’s chairman and Chief Technology Officer roles. In 2012, Ellison made headlines when he acquired the Hawaiian island of Lanai for a sum of $300 million. Ellison also ventured into investments, including a substantial stake in Tesla, where he served on the board of directors from 2018 until 2022. 

Bill Gates

• Net worth: $119.3 B
• Source: Microsoft, investments
• Age: 67
• Residence: Medina, Washington
• Citizenship: US

In 1987, Forbes first recognised Gates as a billionaire. From 1995 to 2017, he maintained the title of the world’s richest person, with brief exceptions in 2008 and from 2010 to 2013. In 2021, Gates and Melinda French Gates finalised their divorce, with Melinda receiving at least $6 billion in stocks as part of the settlement. According to Forbes’ estimates, Gates’ fortune experienced a modest increase of approximately $500 million from May 1 to June 1, 2023, allowing him to ascend one spot in the rankings to secure the fifth position.
 

Warren Buffett

• Net worth: $117.4 B
• Source: Berkshire Hathaway
• Age: 92
• Residence: Omaha, Nebraska
• Citizenship: US

Warren Buffett, widely recognised as the “Oracle of Omaha,” is one of history’s most accomplished investors. He is the head of Berkshire Hathaway, an investment conglomerate with a diverse portfolio encompassing numerous companies, such as insurance provider Geico, battery manufacturer Duracell, and restaurant chain Dairy Queen. 

In 2010, Buffett and Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates established the Giving Pledge initiative, which urges billionaires to donate at least 50 percent of their wealth to charitable organisations. Demonstrating his unwavering philanthropic commitment, Buffett has expressed his intention to donate 99 percent of his fortune. 

Mark Zuckerberg

• Net worth: $115.2 B
• Source: Meta
• Age: 39
• Residence: Palo Alto, California
• Citizenship: US

Larry Page

• Net worth: $111.9 B
• Source: Google
• Age: 50
• Residence: Palo Alto, California
• Citizenship: US

Larry Page and his fellow Stanford PhD student Sergey Brin co-founded Google in 1998. Initially, Page held the position of CEO until 2001 and later resumed the role from 2011 to 2015. 

Currently, he serves as a member of the board of Alphabet, the parent company of Google, and retains significant control over the company as a major shareholder. 

Additionally, Page played a key role as a founding investor in Planetary Resources; a company focused on space exploration. 

Sergey Brin

•  Net worth: $106.2 B
•  Source: Google
•  Age: 50
•  Residence: Los Altos, California
•  Citizenship: US

Alongside his Stanford PhD colleague, Larry Page, Sergey Brin played a pivotal role in establishing the Google search engine in 1998. Originally from Russia, Brin initially held the position of technology president at Google and later transitioned to overseeing special projects, including the development of Google Glass, a wearable device featuring voice-activated “smart glasses.” Currently, Brin serves as a board member of Alphabet, the parent company of Google, while retaining a significant controlling stake in the company.

 

Steve Ballmer

• Net worth: $103.4 B
• Source: Microsoft, investments
• Age: 67
• Residence: Hunts Point, Washington
• Citizenship: US

A Harvard University classmate of Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer, assumed the role of CEO at Microsoft from 2000 to 2014. His journey with Microsoft began in 1980 when he joined as the company’s 30th employee, having dropped out of the MBA at Stanford University. 

In the same year that Ballmer retired from Microsoft, he made headlines by acquiring the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team for a staggering $2 billion, setting a new benchmark for the highest price paid for an NBA team at that time.
 

Carlos Slim Helu

• Net worth: $101.7 B
• Source: telecom, investments
• Age: 83
• Residence: Mexico City
• Citizenship: Mexico

Carlos Slim Helu and his family exercise control over América Móvil, the largest mobile telecommunications company in Latin America, which operates in more than 15 countries. In 1990, Slim and foreign telecom partners acquired Telmex, the formerly government-owned telephone company that became part of América Móvil. 

In addition to his telecom ventures, Slim holds ownership stakes in various Mexican industries, including construction, consumer goods, mining, and real estate. 

 

Frequently asked questions

1. What is the global count of billionaires in 2023? 

Forbes reports that as of May 2023, the number of billionaires has reached 2,640, marking a staggering 19-fold increase compared to the figures from 1987. 

2. Is it possible for billionaires’ net worth to fluctuate 

Absolutely, given that a significant portion of their wealth is tied to publicly traded stocks, the net worth of the wealthiest individuals can fluctuate per market valuation. 

3. Which nation boasts the highest number of billionaires? 

The United States leads the pack, currently housing approximately 724 billionaires.