Wealth Watch 2025: The Top 20 Richest People in the World

Money talks, and in 2025, the world’s wealthiest individuals are making headlines like never before. From tech pioneers and business moguls to fashion tycoons and investment wizards, these billionaires have built financial empires that influence industries, shape economies, and redefine success.

This year, the global rich list is more exciting than ever. New faces have joined the billionaire club, while familiar names dominate with ever-growing fortunes. Who’s leading the pack? What industries are fueling their massive wealth? And how do they keep their money working for them in an ever-changing economy?

In this exclusive countdown, we’re swooping into the lives, businesses, and money-making strategies of the top 20 richest people in the world. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, an investor, or just fascinated by the power of wealth, this list is packed with insights, surprises, and the latest updates on the titans of fortune. Let’s get started!

1. Elon Musk – United States ($434 Billion)

Elon Musk‘s name has become synonymous with futuristic innovation. His journey began in South Africa, but his ventures, such as Tesla, which has revolutionized the automotive industry with electric vehicles, and SpaceX, which aims for Mars colonization, have catapulted him to the top of the wealth list.

Musk‘s Neuralink and The Boring Company explore even more avant-garde territories like brain-computer interfaces and urban tunneling, respectively. His approach to business, characterized by audacious goals and a willingness to take significant risks, has reshaped industries and public perception of what’s possible.

2. Jeff Bezos – United States ($254 Billion)

Jeff Bezos started Amazon from his garage in 1994, envisioning a digital bookstore that would grow into the e-commerce behemoth it is today. Amazon’s expansion into cloud computing with AWS, entertainment with Prime Video, and even groceries with the acquisition of Whole Foods, showcases Bezos‘ foresight in diversifying a single business model into a conglomerate.

His venture into space via Blue Origin reflects a passion for space exploration, echoing Musk‘s ambitions but with a different methodology. Bezos‘ wealth and influence in retail, technology, and now space underlines his role in shaping the digital age.

3. Mark Zuckerberg – United States ($229 Billion)

Mark Zuckerberg‘s creation of Meta Platforms (formerly known as Facebook) from a Harvard dorm room has changed how we communicate, share, and consume information. His pivot towards the metaverse signifies a bold move into virtual reality, aiming to create a new social interaction and commerce frontier.

However, Zuckerberg‘s journey has been marked by controversies over privacy, data handling, and social media’s societal impact, highlighting the complex responsibilities of such vast digital empires.

4. Larry Ellison – United States ($209 Billion)

Larry Ellison co-founded Oracle Corporation, which has been pivotal in the database management software sector. His aggressive leadership style and strategic acquisitions have made Oracle a dominant player in cloud infrastructure and enterprise software.

Beyond tech, Ellison‘s love for yachting and his significant real estate investments, like Lanai in Hawaii, shows a man of varied interests, yet all characterized by a drive for excellence and control.

5. Bernard Arnault – France ($204 Billion)

As the head of LVMH, Bernard Arnault has masterminded the luxury conglomerate’s growth, bringing together brands like Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Sephora under one umbrella. His strategy involves nurturing luxury as an experiential and aspirational product, adapting to digital trends while maintaining exclusivity.

Arnault’s influence in the fashion and luxury goods market also extends to art, with his acquisitions and philanthropy demonstrating how wealth can intersect with culture.

6. Larry Page & 7. Sergey Brin – United States ($178 Billion & $167 Billion)

The Google story, from a Stanford project to a tech titan under Alphabet Inc., is well-known, but Larry Page and Sergey Brin‘s impact extends beyond search engines.

Their investments in life sciences through Calico, urban planning with Sidewalk Labs, and autonomous vehicles via Waymo illustrate a vision for a future shaped by technology in every aspect of life. Their approach to business, emphasizing innovation over immediate profit, has set a new paradigm in tech leadership.

8. Bill Gates – United States ($166 Billion)

Once the richest man in the world, Bill Gates has transitioned from Microsoft‘s helm to being one of the planet’s most influential philanthropists through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

His focus on global health, education, and fighting poverty reflects a commitment to leveraging his wealth for societal benefit. Yet, his investments in tech, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, show that he remains a key player in steering technological advancement.

9. Steve Ballmer – United States ($154 Billion)

Steve Ballmer‘s tenure as Microsoft‘s CEO was marked by significant growth in the company’s software and services. His wealth, primarily from Microsoft shares, also translates into investments in sports.

He owns the Los Angeles Clippers, which shows how technology moguls are diversifying into areas like sports, influencing fan experiences and team management with tech innovations.

10. Jensen Huang – United States ($118 Billion)

As NVIDIA‘s co-founder and CEO, Jensen Huang has turned the company into a powerhouse in graphics processing units (GPUs), crucial for gaming, AI, and data centers.

His vision for NVIDIA‘s role in AI and autonomous systems has positioned the company at the forefront of tech’s next wave, demonstrating how niche technology can lead to immense wealth and industry dominance.

11. Warren Buffett – United States ($119 Billion)

The “Oracle of Omaha,” Warren Buffett, has shown the world the art of value investing through Berkshire Hathaway. His approach, focusing on long-term growth rather than short-term gains, has built a colossal personal fortune and influenced countless investors.

Buffett‘s philanthropy and public musings on capitalism, wealth, and ethical business practices add a philosophical layer to his financial acumen.

12. Michael Bloomberg – United States ($94.5 Billion)

Bloomberg L.P., founded by Michael Bloomberg, has transformed financial data and news dissemination. His political involvement, especially his tenure as New York City Mayor, shows a commitment to public service, using his wealth to influence policy and urban development.

His foundation’s public health, education, and arts work further illustrates how Bloomberg leverages his resources for societal improvement.

13. Françoise Bettencourt Meyers – France ($101 Billion)

As the heiress of L’Oréal, Françoise Bettencourt Meyers represents one of the most enduring legacies in the cosmetics industry.

Her role involves managing a vast fortune and steering the company towards sustainable beauty practices and innovation in skincare and cosmetics, reflecting a shift in consumer values towards health and environmental consciousness.

14-16. The Walton Family – United States ($107.1B, $75B, $73B)

Alice Walton, Jim Walton, and Rob Walton have inherited and expanded the Walmart empire, making it a global retail giant.

Their influence goes beyond commerce into philanthropy and politics, with significant investments in education, conservation, and community development. This shows how family businesses can leverage wealth for broader societal benefits.

17. Amancio Ortega – Spain ($123.3 Billion)

Through Zara and Inditex, Amancio Ortega has revolutionized fast fashion, emphasizing speed in design, production, and retail.

His business approach includes vertical integration, which allows for rapid response to fashion trends. This has made him a key player in how global fashion operates, balancing mass production and market agility.

18. Mukesh Ambani – India ($102.1 Billion)

Mukesh Ambani‘s Reliance Industries has fingers in numerous pies—from petrochemicals to telecommunications with Jio, changing the landscape of digital connectivity in India.

His vision for an integrated digital ecosystem reflects India’s potential as a tech hub, while his approach to business emphasizes local empowerment and international competitiveness.

19. Carlos Slim Helu – Mexico ($104 Billion)

Carlos Slim‘s Grupo Carso has a vast telecommunications, retail, and mining portfolio. His influence in Mexico, particularly in telecom with América Móvil, has been transformative, though not without critique regarding monopolistic practices.

His foundation’s work in education and health demonstrates an attempt to use wealth for societal advancement.

20. Charles Koch – United States ($60 Billion)

Through Koch Industries, Charles Koch has built one of the largest private companies in the US, with diversified interests from energy to consumer products.

His advocacy for libertarian economic policies through various think tanks and political contributions shows how wealth can shape markets and ideologies.

Conclusion

This detailed exploration of the world’s wealthiest individuals showcases their financial might and diverse approaches to business, innovation, and societal impact. Their stories reflect trends in global capitalism, the power of technology, and the responsibilities that come with wealth.

As we look to the future, these individuals’ decisions will continue to influence economies, technologies, and the very fabric of society, for better or for worse.