Top 50 Richest People in the World
The world’s wealthiest individuals continue to see their fortunes influenced by the tech boom, particularly in AI, semiconductors, and cloud computing, amid a resilient global economy. According to Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires List, the top 50 richest people collectively hold approximately $4.8 trillion in net worth as of September 8, 2025.
This represents a 2% increase from the previous week, driven by gains in U.S. stock indices. Tech dominates with 35 entrants, followed by retail (6), finance (4), and diversified conglomerates. Americans lead with 38 spots, followed by 3 from India, 2 from France, and one each from Mexico, Spain, Germany, and Italy. All are worth at least $80 billion.
Below is a detailed list with net worth, age, nationality, primary source of wealth, and a brief overview of their business empires and backgrounds.
1. Elon Musk – $421.2 Billion | 54 | South Africa/USA | Tesla, SpaceX
Elon Musk, the visionary entrepreneur, leads with stakes in Tesla (electric vehicles and autonomy) and SpaceX (reusable rockets for space travel). He also owns xAI (AI development) and X (social media platform).
2. Larry Ellison – $272.4 Billion | 81 | USA | Oracle
Larry Ellison co-founded Oracle in 1977, a leader in database and cloud software. His wealth stems from an 8% stake; he invests in biotech and owns Lanai island in Hawaii.
3. Mark Zuckerberg – $228.7 Billion | 41 | USA | Meta Platforms
Mark Zuckerberg founded Facebook (now Meta) in 2004, expanding to Instagram, WhatsApp, and VR/AR. His 13% stake benefits from AI and metaverse investments.
4. Jeff Bezos – $222.5 Billion | 61 | USA | Amazon
Jeff Bezos launched Amazon in 1994 as an online retailer, now a e-commerce and AWS cloud giant. He also founded Blue Origin (space) and owns The Washington Post.
5. Larry Page – $191.8 Billion | 52 | USA | Alphabet (Google)
Larry Page co-created Google in 1998; Alphabet includes search, YouTube, and Waymo. His 3% stake grows with AI like Gemini.
6. Sergey Brin – $176.9 Billion | 51 | USA | Alphabet (Google)
Sergey Brin, Google’s other co-founder, shares in Alphabet’s ecosystem, including Verily (health tech) and quantum computing.
7. Bernard Arnault – $174.2 Billion | 76 | France | LVMH
Bernard Arnault chairs LVMH, the luxury goods empire with brands like Louis Vuitton and Dior. He built it through acquisitions since the 1980s.
8. Steve Ballmer – $169.1 Billion | 69 | USA | Microsoft, Investments
Steve Ballmer, former Microsoft CEO (2000-2014), holds a 4% stake. He owns the LA Clippers NBA team and invests in real estate.
9. Jensen Huang – $152.3 Billion | 62 | USA | Nvidia
Jensen Huang founded Nvidia in 1993, dominating AI chips and GPUs. His 3.5% stake reflects the company’s $3.8 trillion market cap.
10. Bill Gates – $153.7 Billion | 69 | USA | Microsoft, Investments
Bill Gates co-founded Microsoft in 1975; now focuses on the Gates Foundation (global health) and Cascade Investment (diversified holdings).
11. Warren Buffett – $148.9 Billion | 95 | USA | Berkshire Hathaway
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire owns stakes in Apple, Coca-Cola, and insurance like Geico. His value investing has built a $1 trillion conglomerate.
12. Michael Dell – $119.6 Billion | 60 | USA | Dell Technologies
Michael Dell started Dell in 1984, the top PC maker. He owns 44% post-privatization and invests in cloud via VMware.
13. Alice Walton – $120.1 Billion | 75 | USA | Walmart
Alice Walton, daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton, holds a 1.4% stake in the retail giant. She founded Crystal Bridges Museum.
14. Michael Bloomberg – $118.4 Billion | 83 | USA | Bloomberg LP
Michael Bloomberg founded Bloomberg in 1981, providing financial data terminals. Former NYC mayor, he philanthropies in health and environment.
15. Mukesh Ambani – $118.2 Billion | 68 | India | Reliance Industries
Mukesh Ambani leads Reliance, spanning telecom (Jio), retail, and energy. He pivoted to green energy and built a $2 billion home.
16. Carlos Slim Helú – $117.8 Billion | 85 | Mexico | América Móvil
Carlos Slim’s telecom firm serves 300 million in Latin America. He has stakes in media and retail like Saks.
17. Françoise Bettencourt Meyers – $116.5 Billion | 72 | France | L’Oréal
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers and family own 33% of L’Oréal, the cosmetics leader. She supports science via family foundation.
18. Jim Walton – $115.9 Billion | 76 | USA | Walmart
Jim Walton, another Walton heir, chairs Arvest Bank and holds Walmart stake. Focuses on conservation philanthropy.
19. Gautam Adani – $114.7 Billion | 63 | India | Adani Group
Gautam Adani built Adani into India’s largest port and renewable energy firm, aiming for 100 GW solar.
20. Rob Walton – $113.2 Billion | 80 | USA | Walmart
Rob Walton, former Walmart chairman, shares family wealth. An art collector, he supports environmental causes.
21. MacKenzie Scott – $112.8 Billion | 55 | USA | Amazon (divorced)
MacKenzie Scott received 4% of Amazon post-divorce from Bezos. She has donated $17 billion to nonprofits.
22. Amancio Ortega – $110.5 Billion | 89 | Spain | Inditex (Zara)
Amancio Ortega founded Zara’s parent Inditex, the fast-fashion leader. He invests in real estate.
23. Steve Cohen – $109.3 Billion | 68 | USA | Point72, Hedge Funds
Steve Cohen’s Point72 manages $30 billion; he owns the NY Mets. Built fortune via SAC Capital.
24. Phil Knight – $108.7 Billion | 87 | USA | Nike
Phil Knight co-founded Nike in 1964. His family office invests in ventures; donated to University of Oregon.
25. Zhang Yiming – $107.2 Billion | 42 | China | ByteDance (TikTok)
Zhang Yiming founded ByteDance in 2012, creator of TikTok. Stepped down as CEO but retains control.
26. Colin Huang – $106.4 Billion | 45 | China | PDD Holdings (Temu)
Colin Huang started PDD in 2015, e-commerce rival to Alibaba. Owns 18% stake.
27. Ken Griffin – $105.9 Billion | 57 | USA | Citadel
Ken Griffin’s Citadel hedge fund manages $65 billion. He collects art and donates to Harvard.
28. Ma Huateng (Pony Ma) – $104.1 Billion | 53 | China | Tencent
Ma Huateng co-founded Tencent in 1998, behind WeChat and gaming. Holds 8.6% stake.
29. Changpeng Zhao (CZ) – $103.5 Billion | 48 | Canada | Binance
Changpeng Zhao founded Binance, the top crypto exchange. Stepped down amid legal issues but retains wealth.
30. Jack Ma – $102.8 Billion | 60 | China | Alibaba
Jack Ma founded Alibaba in 1999, China’s e-commerce giant. Now focuses on education and philanthropy.
31. David Thomson – $101.4 Billion | 67 | Canada | Thomson Reuters
David Thomson inherited Thomson, a media and info firm. Expanded into real estate.
32. Tadashi Yanai – $100.2 Billion | 76 | Japan | Fast Retailing (Uniqlo)
Tadashi Yanai built Uniqlo into a global casual wear brand. Philanthropy in education.
33. Stefan Persson – $99.7 Billion | 78 | Sweden | H&M
Stefan Persson, H&M heir, chairs the fast-fashion firm. Invests in luxury via Erling Persson Family Foundation.
34. Miriam Adelson – $98.5 Billion | 79 | USA | Las Vegas Sands
Miriam Adelson inherited casino empire from husband Sheldon. Donates to medical research.
35. Giovanni Ferrero – $97.2 Billion | 60 | Italy | Ferrero Group
Giovanni Ferrero leads Nutella and Kinder maker. Keeps low profile.
36. Dieter Schwarz – $96.8 Billion | 85 | Germany | Lidl, Kaufland
Dieter Schwarz owns discount chains Lidl and Kaufland, Europe’s top retailer.
37. Charles Koch – $95.4 Billion | 89 | USA | Koch Industries
Charles Koch co-leads chemicals and energy firm. Political donor via Americans for Prosperity.
38. Jacqueline Mars – $94.1 Billion | 85 | USA | Mars Inc.
Jacqueline Mars shares in candy (M&M’s, Snickers) and pet food empire.
39. Zhong Shanshan – $93.7 Billion | 70 | China | Nongfu Spring, Pharmaceuticals
Zhong Shanshan built bottled water brand Nongfu Spring. Owns Wantai Biological Pharmacy.
40. John Mars – $92.5 Billion | 89 | USA | Mars Inc.
John Mars, brother of Jacqueline, co-owns the private confectionery giant.
41. Yang Huiyan – $91.8 Billion | 43 | China | Country Garden
Yang Huiyan inherited real estate developer Country Garden, facing debt challenges.
42. Susanne Klatten – $90.6 Billion | 62 | Germany | BMW
Susanne Klatten holds 19% of BMW and Altana chemicals. Europe’s richest woman.
43. Savitri Jindal – $89.4 Billion | 75 | India | O.P. Jindal Group
Savitri Jindal leads steel, power, and mining conglomerate.
44. David Tepper – $88.2 Billion | 67 | USA | Appaloosa Management
David Tepper’s hedge fund focuses on distressed debt. Owns Carolina Panthers.
45. Lukas Walton – $87.9 Billion | 38 | USA | Walmart
Lukas Walton, grandson of Sam, invests via Builders Vision in sustainability.
46. Len Blavatnik – $86.5 Billion | 68 | USA/UK | Access Industries
Len Blavatnik’s firm invests in chemicals, media (Warner Music), and tech.
47. Leonid Mikhelson – $85.3 Billion | 70 | Russia | Novatek
Leonid Mikhelson founded gas producer Novatek. Art collector.
48. Shari Redstone – $84.7 Billion | 71 | USA | Paramount Global
Shari Redstone controls media via National Amusements, including CBS and Viacom.
49. Takemitsu Takizaki – $83.2 Billion | 79 | Japan | Keyence
Takemitsu Takizaki founded sensor maker Keyence, known for high margins.
50. Stephen Schwarzman – $82.1 Billion | 78 | USA | Blackstone
Stephen Schwarzman co-founded Blackstone, the largest alternative asset manager ($1 trillion AUM).
These billionaires shape global industries from tech to retail, with many channeling wealth into philanthropy—total donations exceed $300 billion lifetime. Tech’s volatility means rankings shift.
50 richest person in the world
