The 10 Richest People in the World
As of my knowledge cutoff date of September 2021, the 10 richest people in the world, according to Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires list, are a mix of technology entrepreneurs, business magnates, and investors. They have accumulated their wealth through various means, including founding successful companies, investing in the stock market, and inheriting fortunes. In this article, we will take a closer look at each of the 10 richest people in the world and their sources of wealth.
Elon Musk
With a net worth of $200 billion, Elon Musk is the richest person in the world. He is the CEO of SpaceX, Tesla, Neuralink, and The Boring Company, and is also a co-founder of OpenAI. Musk made his fortune primarily through his stake in Tesla, which has seen its stock price rise by over 10,000% since its IPO in 2010. He has also been involved in several other successful ventures, including PayPal and SolarCity.
Jeff Bezos
The founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos has a net worth of $187 billion. He stepped down as CEO of Amazon in July 2021, but remains the company’s largest shareholder. Bezos has also invested in other companies, including space exploration company Blue Origin and The Washington Post.
Bernard Arnault & Family
With a net worth of $170 billion, Bernard Arnault is the CEO of LVMH, the world’s largest luxury goods company. LVMH owns brands such as Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, and Givenchy, and Arnault’s fortune has been built on the success of these brands.
Bill Gates
The co-founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates has a net worth of $134 billion. Gates stepped down from his role as CEO of Microsoft in 2000, but remains a board member and advisor to the company. He has also been involved in various philanthropic ventures, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Mark Zuckerberg
The founder and CEO of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg has a net worth of $117 billion. Zuckerberg founded Facebook while he was still a student at Harvard University, and the social media platform has since grown to over 2 billion monthly active users.
Warren Buffett
The chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett has a net worth of $101 billion. Buffett is known as the “Oracle of Omaha” for his successful track record of investing in stocks and businesses. Berkshire Hathaway owns a diverse range of companies, including GEICO, Duracell, and Dairy Queen.
Larry Page
A co-founder of Google, Larry Page has a net worth of $98 billion. Page served as CEO of Google from 2011 to 2015, and currently serves as CEO of Google’s parent company, Alphabet. Under his leadership, Google has become the world’s most popular search engine and has expanded into other areas, such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
Sergey Brin
The other co-founder of Google, Sergey Brin has a net worth of $95 billion. Brin served as president of Alphabet until 2019, and now serves as an advisor to the company. Like Page, Brin has been involved in Google’s expansion into new areas such as self-driving cars and biotechnology.
Larry Ellison
The founder of Oracle, Larry Ellison has a net worth of $94 billion. Ellison founded Oracle in 1977 and served as CEO until 2014. He remains involved in the company as chairman of the board and chief technology officer. Ellison is also known for his lavish lifestyle, including his ownership of several luxury properties and his yacht racing team.
Steve Ballmer
A former CEO of Microsoft, Steve Ballmer has a net worth of $93 billion. Ballmer joined Microsoft in 1980 as its 30th employee and rose through the ranks to eventually become CEO in 2000. During his tenure, he oversaw the company’s expansion into new markets, including gaming and mobile devices.
It is worth noting that this list is subject to change as the net worth of these individuals can fluctuate due to market forces and other factors. Additionally, there are many other wealthy individuals around the world who are not included in this list but still hold significant amounts of wealth.
The immense wealth of these individuals has also brought up questions about income inequality and the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few individuals. Critics argue that the extreme wealth of these billionaires comes at the expense of workers and the environment, and that it perpetuates a system of inequality and injustice.
On the other hand, proponents of these billionaires argue that their wealth is a reflection of their hard work and entrepreneurial spirit, and that they have contributed to job creation and economic growth.
Regardless of one’s views on the wealth of these individuals, it is clear that they have had a significant impact on the world through their business ventures, philanthropy, and influence on society. Their fortunes have allowed them to shape industries and make significant contributions to areas such as technology, healthcare, and social causes.
In conclusion, the 10 richest people in the world are a diverse group of individuals who have accumulated their wealth through various means. While their immense wealth has been the subject of controversy and debate, it is undeniable that they have had a significant impact on the world and will continue to do so in the years to come.