Who Has the Most Money in the World? The Top 10 Richest People

Billionaires exert considerable influence on the global economy, politics, and charitable endeavors. According to Forbes, the global billionaire count reached 2,781 in 2024. At the pinnacle of this wealth pyramid stands Elon Musk, the innovative CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, currently recognized as the individual Who Has The Most Money In The World.

The individuals featured in this list represent an even more elite echelon, wielding extraordinary power and financial resources. Predominantly, these are the visionaries behind today’s leading technology conglomerates, with their vast fortunes largely interwoven with the companies they pioneered.

A common financial strategy employed by these billionaires involves leveraging their stock wealth to secure loans, thereby circumventing the immediate need to sell shares. This tactic effectively defers or even eliminates capital gains taxes for themselves and potentially their heirs. Furthermore, the complexities of tax law offer multi-billionaires numerous avenues for deductions against reported income, sometimes resulting in years where they pay minimal or no income tax.

Given that a substantial portion of their wealth is held in publicly traded equities, the net worth of the world’s wealthiest individuals is subject to the dynamic fluctuations of market valuations of their companies. The following compilation, based on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, outlines the top 10 wealthiest individuals globally. All financial figures are current as of February 3, 2025, providing an updated snapshot of who has the most money in the world right now.

Key Points to Remember

• As of early 2025, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, holds the title of the richest person in the world, boasting a net worth of $433 billion, making him the person who has the most money in the world.
• Following Musk is Jeff Bezos, the founder of the e-commerce and cloud computing giant, Amazon.
• The list of top-tier billionaires also includes luminaries such as Bernard Arnault of LVMH, Bill Gates from Microsoft, and Larry Ellison of Oracle.
• Notably, technology is the dominant sector for wealth creation among the top 10, with eight out of ten billionaires having made their fortunes in the tech industry. Bernard Arnault and Warren Buffett of Berkshire Hathaway stand as notable exceptions from the traditional tech sphere.

1. Elon Musk

• Age: 53
• Residence: United States
• Title: Co-founder and CEO, Tesla
• Net Worth: $433 billion
• Tesla Ownership Stake: 13% ($166 billion)
• X (formerly Twitter) Ownership Stake: 79% ($8.06 billion)
• Additional Holdings: Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) valued at $136 billion (private asset), The Boring Company at $3.33 billion (private asset), Neuralink at $2.07 billion (private asset), and xAI at $25 billion (private asset)

Elon Musk, the current titleholder for who has the most money in the world, was born in South Africa. He pursued higher education in Canada before transferring to the University of Pennsylvania, where he obtained bachelor’s degrees in both physics and economics, laying a diverse foundation for his future ventures.

Despite briefly enrolling in a graduate program in physics at Stanford University, Musk’s entrepreneurial drive led him to defer his studies. He launched Zip2, an early innovator in online navigation services. Capitalizing on his initial success, he reinvested proceeds to establish X.com, a pioneering online payment system. This venture was eventually acquired by eBay (EBAY) and subsequently evolved into the financial technology giant, PayPal Holdings (PYPL).

In 2004, Musk became a pivotal investor in Tesla Motors (now Tesla), a move that propelled him to his current role as CEO of the electric vehicle and clean energy company. Beyond electric vehicles, Tesla’s portfolio includes energy storage solutions, automotive accessories, and, through its 2016 acquisition of SolarCity, solar power systems, demonstrating a broad commitment to sustainable energy. Musk also leads Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) as CEO and chief engineer, pushing the boundaries of space launch technology and aiming to make space exploration more accessible.

Tesla’s inclusion in the S&P 500 in December 2020 marked a significant milestone, as it became the index’s largest new entrant. By January 2021, Musk’s wealth surged, officially crowning him the richest person globally—a position that continues to fluctuate with Tesla’s market performance, reflecting the dynamic nature of who has the most money in the world.

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Saul Martinez / Getty Images

Musk’s ambition extended to the realm of social media when he initiated a bid to take X (formerly Twitter) private in April 2022. This endeavor culminated in a $44 billion acquisition, with Musk planning to contribute $21 billion of his own capital. To facilitate this significant investment, Musk divested 9.6 million Tesla shares, valued at approximately $8.5 billion.

While Musk briefly attempted to withdraw from the X buyout in July 2022, legal proceedings ensued, compelling him to finalize the acquisition. Ultimately, Musk proceeded with the purchase in October 2022, securing a 79% ownership stake in the social media platform, adding another dimension to his profile as someone who has the most money in the world and influence across multiple sectors.

2. Jeff Bezos

• Age: 61
• Residence: United States
• Title: Founder and Executive Chair, Amazon (AMZN)
• Net Worth: $256 billion
• Amazon Ownership Stake: 8.8% ($216 billion)
• Additional Holdings: Blue Origin valued at $15 billion (private asset), The Washington Post at $250 million (private asset), Koru at $500 million (private asset), and $24.3 billion in cash reserves

In 1994, Jeff Bezos, another contender for who has the most money in the world, launched Amazon.com from a Seattle garage shortly after leaving his position at the hedge fund D.E. Shaw. Initially, Bezos pitched the concept of an online bookstore to his former employer, David E. Shaw, who did not see its potential at the time.

Amazon, starting as an online bookstore, has evolved into a comprehensive global marketplace, offering an unparalleled range of products and services. It’s on track to surpass Walmart as the world’s largest retailer by 2024, showcasing its monumental growth and dominance in e-commerce. Amazon’s strategy of continuous diversification is evident in its expansion into diverse sectors, including the acquisition of Whole Foods in 2017 and its entry into the pharmacy industry in the same year.

Bezos’s ownership in Amazon peaked at 16% in 2019 before he transferred 4% to his former wife, MacKenzie Scott, as part of their divorce settlement. In 2020, Amazon’s stock price experienced a dramatic 76% surge, fueled by increased online shopping demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly boosting Bezos’s wealth. On July 5, 2021, Bezos transitioned from CEO to executive chair of the e-commerce giant, marking a shift in leadership while remaining deeply involved in the company’s strategic direction.

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Alex Wong / Getty Images

Bezos initially took Amazon public in 1997. He became the first individual since Bill Gates in 1999 to achieve a net worth exceeding $100 billion, a testament to Amazon’s explosive growth and his visionary leadership. Bezos’s ventures extend beyond Amazon to include the aerospace company Blue Origin, The Washington Post (acquired in 2013), and the ambitious 10,000-year clock project, also known as the Long Now, reflecting his diverse interests and long-term vision.

On July 20, 2021, Bezos, along with his brother Mark, aviation pioneer Wally Funk, and Dutch student Oliver Daemen, successfully completed Blue Origin’s inaugural crewed flight. This milestone reached an altitude of over 66 miles before a safe landing, marking Bezos’s entry into space tourism. His wealth peaked at $213 billion in the same month, underscoring the dynamic changes in rankings of who has the most money in the world. In 2023, Bezos invested $500 million in a superyacht named Koru, further illustrating his capacity for significant personal investments.

3. Mark Zuckerberg

• Age: 40
• Residence: United States
• Title: CEO and Chair, Meta Platforms (META)
• Net Worth: $243 billion
• Meta Platforms Ownership Stake: 13% ($237 billion)
• Additional Holdings: $5.80 billion in cash assets

Mark Zuckerberg, another key figure in the discussion of who has the most money in the world, co-developed Facebook (now Meta) in 2004 with fellow Harvard University students Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes. As Facebook’s popularity rapidly expanded across universities, Zuckerberg made the pivotal decision to leave Harvard to fully dedicate himself to his burgeoning business. Today, Zuckerberg serves as the CEO and chair of Meta Platforms, overseeing a vast portfolio of social and technological platforms.

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Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Chesnot / Getty Images

Facebook stands as the world’s preeminent social networking service, connecting billions of users globally. As a platform offering free access, the majority of Meta’s revenue is generated through advertising, leveraging its massive user base to deliver targeted marketing solutions.

Meta’s brand portfolio extends to include several other prominent platforms, such as the photo and video sharing app Instagram, acquired in 2012; the messaging service WhatsApp; virtual reality headset producer Oculus, both acquired in 2014; and Workplace, its enterprise communication platform. These acquisitions have broadened Meta’s reach and influence across various digital communication and entertainment sectors.

Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, established the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative in 2015, where they both serve as co-CEOs. Their philanthropic organization is committed to utilizing technology to address significant societal challenges, including improving educational access and quality, reforming the criminal justice and immigration systems in the U.S., enhancing housing affordability, and pursuing the ambitious goal of eradicating all diseases. This initiative reflects a commitment to leveraging their wealth to create broad social impact, beyond just accumulating who has the most money in the world.

4. Larry Ellison

• Age: 80
• Residence: United States
• Title: Co-founder, Chair, and CTO, Oracle (ORCL)
• Net Worth: $197 billion
• Oracle Ownership Stake: 41% ($148 billion)
• Additional Holdings: Tesla equity valued at $18.2 billion (public asset), and $29.7 billion in cash reserves

Larry Ellison, a prominent figure in the realm of who has the most money in the world, was born in New York City to a young single mother. After leaving the University of Chicago in 1966, Ellison relocated to California and began his career as a computer programmer. In 1973, he joined the electronics company Ampex, where he formed professional relationships with future partners Ed Oates and Bob Miner. Three years later, Ellison moved to Precision Instruments, taking on the role of vice president of research and development, enhancing his expertise in technology and management.

In 1977, Ellison, along with Oates and Miner, founded Software Development Laboratories (SDL). By 1979, the company launched Oracle, the first commercial relational database program utilizing Structured Query Language (SQL). Oracle’s innovative approach quickly gained traction, leading SDL to rename itself Oracle Systems Corporation in 1982. Ellison stepped down from the CEO position at Oracle in 2014 after 37 years of leadership, marking a significant transition in his career. He briefly served on Tesla’s board starting in December 2018 but resigned in June 2022.

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Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

Oracle has grown into the world’s second-largest software company, offering a wide array of cloud computing solutions, as well as Java and Linux software, and the Oracle Exadata computing platform. Oracle’s growth strategy has included acquiring numerous major companies, such as Sun Microsystems and Cerner, expanding its technological capabilities and market reach.

Ellison’s philanthropic efforts are largely focused on medical research. In 2016, he donated $200 million to the University of Southern California to establish a new cancer research center, demonstrating his commitment to advancing medical science. Additionally, Ellison supported the Oracle Team USA sailing team, which achieved victories in the America’s Cup racing series in both 2010 and 2013, showcasing his diverse interests beyond technology and philanthropy.

5. Bernard Arnault

• Age: 75
• Residence: France
• Title: CEO and Chair, LVMH (LVMUY)
• Net Worth: $194 billion
• LVMH Ownership Stake: 48% ($173 billion)
• Additional Holdings: $19.4 billion in cash assets

French national Bernard Arnault holds the position of chair and CEO at LVMH, the world’s leading luxury goods conglomerate, and is a significant figure when discussing who has the most money in the world outside of the tech industry. LVMH’s prestigious brand portfolio includes Louis Vuitton, Hennessey, Marc Jacobs, and Sephora, representing a wide spectrum of luxury products.

The majority of Arnault’s substantial wealth stems from his significant stake in LVMH. His ownership in LVMH is managed through entities associated with Financiere Agache, the investment firm responsible for overseeing his vast fortune, ensuring strategic management of his assets.

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Christophe Morin / Getty Images

Trained as an engineer, Arnault first demonstrated his business acumen while working at his father’s construction company, Ferret-Savinel, taking leadership in 1971. He transitioned Ferret-Savinel into a real estate company named Férinel Inc. in 1979, showcasing his ability to adapt and innovate within different market sectors.

Arnault remained chair of Férinel for six years, until he strategically acquired and restructured the luxury goods maker Financière Agache in 1984. He then divested all of its holdings except for Christian Dior and Le Bon Marché, focusing on core luxury assets. In 1987, Arnault was invited to invest in LVMH, and within two years, he became the majority shareholder, chair of the board, and CEO of the company, driving LVMH to become the luxury industry giant it is today and cementing his status among those who have the most money in the world.

6. Larry Page

• Age: 51
• Residence: United States
• Title: Co-founder and Board Member, Alphabet (GOOG)
• Net Worth: $181 billion
• Alphabet Ownership Stake: 6% ($159.6 billion)
• Additional Holdings: $21.1 billion in cash assets

Like many tech billionaires featured in discussions about who has the most money in the world, Larry Page began his journey to prominence and wealth in a college dormitory room. While studying at Stanford University in 1995, Page and his friend Sergey Brin conceptualized a method to enhance internet data extraction. The pair developed a novel search engine technology initially named Backrub, recognizing its capability to analyze backlinks to a page and assess web content effectively.

From this foundational technology, Page and Brin co-founded Google in 1998. Page initially served as Google’s CEO until 2001, and then again from 2011 to 2019, guiding the company through periods of rapid growth and innovation.

Google has become the world’s dominant internet search engine, handling over 92% of global search queries. In 2006, Google acquired YouTube, which has become the leading platform for user-generated video content, further expanding Google’s digital footprint.

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Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

After acquiring Android in 2005, Google launched the Android mobile operating system in 2008. Android has since become the world’s most widely used mobile OS, powering billions of devices globally. Google underwent a corporate restructuring in 2015, becoming a subsidiary of Alphabet, a newly formed holding company. This reorganization was designed to streamline Google’s core businesses and allow for more independent operation of other ventures.

Page was among the early investors in Planetary Resources, a company focused on space exploration and asteroid mining. Established in 2009, Planetary Resources was acquired by blockchain firm ConsenSys in 2018 due to funding challenges. Page has also shown interest in the development of flying car technology, investing in both Kitty Hawk and Opener, although Kitty Hawk ceased operations in 2022, reflecting the high-risk nature of pioneering technology ventures.

7. Sergey Brin

• Age: 51
• Residence: United States
• Title: Co-founder and Board Member, Alphabet (GOOG)
• Net Worth: $170 billion
• Alphabet Ownership Stake: 6% ($148.7 billion)
• Additional Holdings: $21.2 billion in cash assets

Sergey Brin, another co-founder of Google and key individual in discussions about who has the most money in the world, was born in Moscow, Russia. He immigrated to the U.S. with his family in 1979 at the age of six. After co-founding Google with Larry Page in 1998, Brin became Google’s president of technology when Eric Schmidt assumed the CEO role in 2001. He continued in the same position at Alphabet after its formation in 2015, stepping down in 2019 when Sundar Pichai took over as CEO of Alphabet, marking a shift in leadership structure.

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Getty Images, Kelly Sullivan / Stringer. In addition to its dominant internet search engine, Google offers a comprehensive suite of online tools and services known as Google Workspace. This includes widely used applications like Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar, Google Meet, Google Chat, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, and many more, providing a full spectrum of productivity and communication tools. Google also produces a range of electronic devices, including Pixel smartphones, computers, and tablets, Nest smart home devices, and the Stadia gaming platform (though Stadia service has ended), demonstrating its diverse product offerings.

Brin has directed significant philanthropic efforts towards Parkinson’s disease research, partnering with The Michael J. Fox Foundation to advance research and treatment options. This commitment reflects a personal dedication to addressing critical health challenges, beyond his entrepreneurial achievements and status as someone who has the most money in the world.

8. Bill Gates

• Age: 69
• Residence: United States
• Title: Co-founder, Microsoft (MSFT)
• Net Worth: $165 billion
• Microsoft Ownership Stake: 1% ($26.8 billion)
• Additional Holdings: Billions in various companies held through Cascade Investment, and $82.8 billion in cash assets

While a student at Harvard University in 1975, Bill Gates, a long-standing name in discussions about who has the most money in the world, collaborated with his childhood friend Paul Allen to develop innovative software for early microcomputers. Following the success of this project, Gates made the pivotal decision to leave Harvard during his junior year to co-found Microsoft with Allen.

Microsoft has grown into the world’s largest software company, and also produces a line of personal computers (Surface devices), provides email services through its Exchange server, and markets video game systems and related gaming peripherals (Xbox). More recently, Microsoft has made substantial investments in cloud computing services (Azure), positioning itself as a leader in this rapidly growing sector.

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Jack Taylor / Getty Images

Gates transitioned from the role of Microsoft CEO to board chair in 2008, marking a shift in his operational involvement with the company. He also joined Berkshire Hathaway’s board in 2004, expanding his influence across different sectors. Gates stepped down from both the Microsoft and Berkshire Hathaway boards on March 13, 2020, to focus more on his philanthropic endeavors.

The majority of Bill Gates’s wealth is now managed through Cascade Investment LLC, a private investment entity that holds a diverse portfolio of stocks and assets across various industries. This shift reflects his move towards managing and deploying his wealth for broader impact, particularly through his philanthropic work.

9. Warren Buffett

• Age: 94
• Residence: United States
• Title: CEO, Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A)
• Net Worth: $147 billion
• Berkshire Hathaway Ownership Stake: 15% ($145 billion)
• Additional Holdings: $1.63 billion in cash assets

The most renowned living value investor, Warren Buffett, began his journey in finance early, filing his first tax return in 1944 at age 14, declaring earnings from his boyhood paper route. He first invested in Berkshire Hathaway, a textile company, in 1962, becoming the majority shareholder by 1965. Buffett expanded Berkshire Hathaway’s portfolio to include insurance and other investments starting in 1967, transforming it into a diversified holding company.

Widely known as the “Oracle of Omaha,” Buffett is celebrated for his buy-and-hold investment strategy, building his fortune by acquiring undervalued companies. More recently, Berkshire Hathaway has also invested in large, well-established companies. Its portfolio of wholly owned subsidiaries spans across insurance, energy distribution, railroads, and consumer products, reflecting a broad economic footprint.

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Alex Wong / Getty Images

Buffett has notably expressed skepticism towards Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, maintaining a traditional investment philosophy.

Buffett has committed a substantial portion of his wealth to philanthropy. Between 2006 and 2020, he donated $41 billion, primarily to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and his children’s charitable organizations. Buffett initiated The Giving Pledge with Bill Gates in 2010, encouraging billionaires to commit to giving away the majority of their wealth to philanthropic causes.

Despite being 94 years old, Buffett remains the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. In 2021, he indicated that Gregory Abel, head of Berkshire’s non-insurance operations, is likely to be his successor, planning for the future leadership of his vast conglomerate.

10. Steve Ballmer

• Age: 68
• Residence: United States
• Title: Owner, Los Angeles Clippers
• Net Worth: $145 billion
• Microsoft Ownership Stake: 4% ($132 billion)
• Additional Holdings: Los Angeles Clippers valued at $5.68 billion (private asset), The Forum at $400 million (private asset), Intuit Dome at $2 billion (private asset), and $4.20 billion in cash assets

Steve Ballmer joined Microsoft in 1980 after Bill Gates persuaded him to leave Stanford University’s MBA program, becoming Microsoft’s 30th employee. Ballmer later succeeded Gates as Microsoft CEO in 2000, a position he held until his retirement in 2014. During his tenure as CEO, Ballmer oversaw Microsoft’s $8.5 billion acquisition of Skype in 2011, expanding Microsoft’s communication technology portfolio.

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Steven Ferdman / Getty Images. Ballmer owns an estimated 4% of Microsoft, making him the largest individual shareholder in the software giant. In 2014, shortly after stepping down as Microsoft CEO, Ballmer purchased the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team for $2 billion, marking a significant investment in sports and entertainment.

Ballmer and Bill Gates were roommates at Harvard University, living in the same dorm and on the same floor, establishing a long-term personal and professional relationship. Their close relationship experienced some strain as Ballmer pushed Microsoft into hardware ventures, such as the Surface tablet and Windows mobile phone, during his time as CEO, diverging from Microsoft’s traditional software focus.

Who Are the Top 10 Richest People in the World?

As of February 3, 2025, the top 10 richest people in the world are:

1. Elon Musk
2. Jeff Bezos
3. Mark Zuckerberg
4. Larry Ellison
5. Bernard Arnault
6. Larry Page
7. Sergey Brin
8. Bill Gates
9. Warren Buffett
10. Steve Ballmer

Who Is the World’s Richest Man in 2025?

As of February 3, 2025, the world’s richest man, and therefore the individual who has the most money in the world, is Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, with a net worth of $433 billion.

Who Is the Richest Woman in the World?

The richest woman in the world is Alice Walton. As of February 3, 2025, her net worth is $117 billion, primarily derived from her holdings in Walmart, highlighting significant wealth concentration even beyond the top 10 richest individuals.

The Bottom Line

For those aspiring to join the ranks of the richest billionaires, the paths are varied but often involve technological innovation or mastery in luxury retail. Alternatively, a more traditional approach like value investing remains a viable strategy.

While being born into wealth can provide a head start, the most substantial fortunes on this list originated from innovative ideas, realized through creativity, relentless drive, and strategic connections. These individuals built some of the world’s most influential and largest companies, demonstrating that while the question of who has the most money in the world is fascinating, the journey to such wealth is equally compelling and instructive.