The 10 Most Affluent Individuals Globally in 2024

As a Trust officer who has spent years managing the wealth of high-net-worth individuals, I’ve witnessed firsthand the ebb and flow of fortunes. However, nothing quite compares to the staggering wealth accumulated by the world’s top billionaires in 2024. This year’s list of the ten richest people on the planet showcases not just immense wealth, but also the transformative power of innovation, strategic business acumen, and the ability to ride the waves of technological change.

From tech moguls who have reshaped our digital landscape to retail revolutionaries and investment gurus, these individuals have not only amassed incredible personal fortunes but have also left an indelible mark on global industries. Their stories are a testament to the potential of entrepreneurship and the impact of visionary leadership in our rapidly evolving world.

Based on data from the Real-Time Billionaires List, let’s explore the top 10 richest people in the world in 2024.

1. Elon Musk – $304 billion

Elon Musk, the enigmatic entrepreneur and innovator, stands at the pinnacle of global wealth with a staggering net worth of $304 billion as of November 2024. Born in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1971, Musk displayed an early aptitude for technology and business. After briefly attending the University of Pretoria, he moved to Canada at age 17 and later transferred to the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in economics and physics.

Musk’s journey to becoming the world’s wealthiest individual is marked by a series of groundbreaking ventures. He co-founded Zip2, an online city guide, which was sold to Compaq for $307 million in 1999. He then created X.com, which later merged with Confinity to become PayPal, eventually sold to eBay for $1.5 billion. However, it was his subsequent endeavors that catapulted him to unprecedented wealth. As CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and owner of X (formerly Twitter), Musk has revolutionized electric vehicles, private space exploration, and social media.

Despite facing numerous challenges and controversies, Musk’s companies have achieved remarkable success. Tesla has become the world’s most valuable automaker, while SpaceX has made significant strides in reusable rocket technology. His acquisition of Twitter in 2022 for $44 billion further solidified his influence in the tech world. Musk’s wealth, primarily tied to his Tesla stake, has seen dramatic fluctuations but has consistently kept him at or near the top of global wealth rankings since 2021.

2. Larry Ellison – $230.7 billion

Larry Ellison, the co-founder and executive chairman of Oracle Corporation, has ascended to the position of the second wealthiest person in the world with a net worth of $230.7 billion as of November 2024. Born in New York City in 1944 and adopted as an infant, Ellison’s path to extraordinary wealth began when he co-founded Software Development Laboratories in 1977, which would eventually become Oracle Corporation.

Under Ellison’s leadership, Oracle grew from a startup with three programmers to become the largest supplier of database software and the second-largest supplier of business applications globally. His strategic vision and aggressive acquisition strategy, including the purchase of companies like Sun Microsystems and NetSuite, played a crucial role in Oracle’s expansion and market dominance.

Ellison stepped down as CEO of Oracle in 2014 but continues to serve as the company’s executive chairman and chief technology officer. His wealth is not solely tied to Oracle; he has made significant investments in other ventures, including a substantial stake in Tesla. Known for his lavish lifestyle, Ellison owns 98% of the Hawaiian island of Lanai and has invested heavily in luxury real estate. Despite his immense wealth, Ellison has also committed to philanthropic causes, signing the Giving Pledge and donating hundreds of millions to medical research and education.

3. Jeff Bezos – $224.5 billion

According to the Real-Time Billionaires List, Jeff Bezos, the visionary founder of Amazon, holds the position of the third richest person in the world with a net worth of $224.5 billion as of November 2024. Born on January 12, 1964, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Bezos displayed early signs of brilliance and entrepreneurial spirit. He graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University in 1986 with degrees in electrical engineering and computer science.

Bezos’s journey to extraordinary wealth began in 1994 when he founded Amazon.com as an online bookstore. Under his leadership, Amazon transformed from a modest startup into the world’s largest e-commerce company and a leader in cloud computing services through Amazon Web Services (AWS). Bezos served as Amazon’s CEO until 2021, guiding the company through exponential growth and diversification into various sectors, including artificial intelligence and streaming media.

Beyond Amazon, Bezos has invested in numerous ventures, including the aerospace company Blue Origin and The Washington Post, which he acquired in 2013 for $250 million. In 2021, Bezos made headlines by flying to space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard spacecraft, fulfilling a lifelong dream. Despite stepping down as Amazon’s CEO, Bezos continues to play a significant role in the company as Executive Chairman. His wealth, while primarily derived from his Amazon stake, also includes substantial real estate holdings and investments in various technology companies.

4. Mark Zuckerberg – $203.8 billion

Mark Zuckerberg, the tech prodigy who revolutionized social networking, holds the fourth position among the world’s wealthiest individuals with a net worth of $203.8 billion as of November 2024. Born on May 14, 1984, in White Plains, New York, Zuckerberg showed an early affinity for computers and programming. He created his first messaging program, Zucknet, at the age of 12, foreshadowing his future as a tech innovator.

Zuckerberg’s journey to immense wealth began during his sophomore year at Harvard University in 2004 when he co-founded Facebook. What started as a college networking site quickly expanded, becoming the world’s largest social media platform. Under his leadership as CEO, Facebook, now part of Meta Platforms, has grown to include Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus VR, among other subsidiaries.

Despite facing numerous controversies, including issues related to privacy, content moderation, and antitrust concerns, Zuckerberg has continued to steer Meta towards new frontiers. His recent focus on the “metaverse” – a concept of interconnected virtual experiences – represents his vision for the future of digital interaction. Zuckerberg’s wealth, primarily tied to his stake in Meta, has fluctuated significantly over the years but has consistently placed him among the world’s top billionaires. Beyond his business ventures, Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have pledged to give away 99% of their Meta shares over their lifetimes through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, focusing on personalized learning, curing diseases, and connecting people.

5. Bernard Arnault & family – $164.6 billion

Bernard Arnault, the French business magnate and art collector, stands as the fifth wealthiest person globally, with a family net worth of $164.6 billion as of November 2024. Born on March 5, 1949, in Roubaix, France, Arnault’s path to extraordinary wealth began in the world of luxury goods, a sector he has come to dominate.

Arnault’s business acumen was evident early in his career when he took over his father’s construction company in 1971 and shifted its focus to real estate. However, his defining move came in 1984 when he acquired the bankrupt textile company that owned Christian Dior. This acquisition marked the beginning of Arnault’s empire in the luxury goods industry. In 1989, he became the majority shareholder of LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy), the world’s largest luxury goods company.

Under Arnault’s leadership, LVMH has grown to encompass over 70 distinguished brands, including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Hennessy, Bulgari, and Tiffany & Co. His strategic acquisitions and ability to revitalize heritage brands have been key to LVMH’s success. Arnault’s business philosophy emphasizes creativity, innovation, and quality, which has helped maintain LVMH’s position at the forefront of the global luxury market. Beyond his business ventures, Arnault is known for his art collection and philanthropic efforts, including significant donations to restore Notre-Dame Cathedral after the 2019 fire. His wealth, shared among his family members who are also involved in the business, has fluctuated with market conditions but consistently places them among the world’s elite billionaires.

6. Larry Page – $147.7 billion

Larry Page, co-founder of Google and former CEO of its parent company Alphabet Inc., ranks as the sixth richest person in the world with a net worth of $147.7 billion as of November 2024. Born on March 26, 1973, in East Lansing, Michigan, Page showed an early interest in computers, influenced by his father’s computer science professor background.

Page’s journey to immense wealth began during his Ph.D. studies at Stanford University, where he met Sergey Brin. Together, they developed a search engine that would rank web pages based on their relevance and importance. This project evolved into Google, founded in 1998, which revolutionized how people access and interact with information online.

As Google’s CEO from 2011 to 2015, Page oversaw the company’s expansion beyond search into various technology sectors, including mobile operating systems (Android), video sharing (YouTube), and innovative hardware. In 2015, he became CEO of Alphabet Inc., Google’s newly created parent company, a position he held until December 2019. Under his leadership, Google transformed from a search engine into a global technology conglomerate, venturing into areas such as self-driving cars, life sciences, and artificial intelligence.

Page’s wealth primarily stems from his stake in Alphabet, but he has also invested in flying car companies and other cutting-edge technologies. Known for his vision of using technology to address global challenges, Page has been a driving force behind Google’s ambitious projects like Google X (now X Development). Although he stepped down from his executive role at Alphabet, Page remains a board member and controlling shareholder, continuing to influence the company’s long-term strategy and technological direction.

7. Warren Buffett – $145.9 billion

Warren Buffett, often referred to as the “Oracle of Omaha,” is one of the most successful investors in history, with a net worth of $145.9 billion as of November 2024. Born on August 30, 1930, in Omaha, Nebraska, Buffett displayed an aptitude for business and investing from a young age. He graduated from the University of Nebraska and later earned a master’s degree in economics from Columbia University, where he studied under renowned value investor Benjamin Graham.

Buffett’s path to extraordinary wealth began when he started his own investment partnership in 1956. His exceptional ability to identify undervalued companies and make strategic long-term investments led to consistent, market-beating returns. In 1965, he took control of Berkshire Hathaway, a failing textile company, and transformed it into a diversified conglomerate and investment vehicle. Under his leadership as chairman and CEO, Berkshire Hathaway has become one of the largest and most respected companies in the world, with investments spanning various industries including insurance, energy, and consumer goods.

Known for his frugal lifestyle despite his immense wealth, Buffett is also recognized for his philanthropic efforts. He has pledged to give away 99% of his fortune to philanthropic causes, primarily through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Buffett’s investment philosophy, which emphasizes long-term value investing and a focus on fundamentals, has inspired generations of investors and earned him a reputation as one of the greatest investors of all time.

8. Sergey Brin – $141.1 billion

Sergey Brin, with a net worth of $141.1 billion as of November 2024, is a Russian-born American computer scientist and internet entrepreneur best known as the co-founder of Google. Born on August 21, 1973, in Moscow, Brin immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of six. He showed an early aptitude for mathematics and computer science, eventually earning his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science from the University of Maryland and pursuing a Ph.D. at Stanford University.

It was at Stanford where Brin met Larry Page, and together they developed the idea for a new search engine that would rank web pages based on their relevance and importance. This project evolved into Google, which they co-founded in 1998. As Google grew into one of the world’s most valuable and influential companies, Brin served in various roles, including President of Technology and director of special projects at Google X.

Brin’s wealth is primarily derived from his stake in Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company. He has also invested in various other ventures, including space exploration and artificial intelligence research. Known for his innovative thinking and passion for cutting-edge technology, Brin has been a driving force behind many of Google’s ambitious projects, including self-driving cars and Google Glass. Despite stepping back from day-to-day operations at Alphabet in 2019, Brin remains a significant shareholder and continues to influence the company’s long-term strategy and technological direction.

9. Jensen Huang – $128.7 billion

Jensen Huang, with a net worth of $128.7 billion as of November 2024, is the co-founder, president, and CEO of Nvidia Corporation, a company that has become synonymous with graphics processing units (GPUs) and artificial intelligence technology. Born on February 17, 1963, in Tainan, Taiwan, Huang immigrated to the United States as a child and later earned degrees in electrical engineering from Oregon State University and Stanford University.

Huang co-founded Nvidia in 1993, focusing initially on developing graphics chips for gaming. Under his leadership, the company expanded its focus to include artificial intelligence, deep learning, and data centers. Nvidia’s GPUs have become essential components in various industries, from gaming and cryptocurrency mining to autonomous vehicles and supercomputing. Huang’s visionary leadership has been crucial in positioning Nvidia at the forefront of the AI revolution, leading to exponential growth in the company’s value and his personal wealth.

Known for his technical expertise and strategic foresight, Huang has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the technology industry. His wealth has seen dramatic increases in recent years, particularly due to the surge in demand for AI-related technologies. Despite his immense success, Huang is known for his hands-on approach to leadership and his continued focus on innovation and pushing technological boundaries.

10. Amancio Ortega – $128.5 billion

Amancio Ortega, with a net worth of $128.5 billion as of November 2024, is a Spanish fashion entrepreneur and founder of the Inditex fashion group, best known for its Zara retail chain. Born on March 28, 1936, in Busdongo de Arbás, León, Spain, Ortega came from humble beginnings and started working in a clothing shop at the age of 14.

In 1963, Ortega founded Confecciones Goa, a company making bathrobes. This venture eventually led to the opening of the first Zara store in 1975 in A Coruña, Spain. Ortega’s innovative approach to fashion retail, known as “fast fashion,” revolutionized the industry. By quickly adapting runway designs for mass-market consumption and maintaining a rapid inventory turnover, Zara became a global fashion powerhouse.

Ortega’s Inditex group now includes several other fashion brands and has expanded to over 7,000 stores worldwide. Despite his enormous wealth, Ortega is known for his modest lifestyle and low public profile. He stepped down as chairman of Inditex in 2011 but remains the company’s largest shareholder. In addition to his fashion empire, Ortega has diversified his wealth through significant real estate investments in major cities around the world. His success story, from a small-town shopkeeper to one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, is often cited as an example of entrepreneurial vision and perseverance.