Top 10 Richest Man in the World

As of April 2025, the global wealth landscape has experienced notable shifts, with technological innovators and business magnates leading the ranks. Below is an overview of the top 10 richest man in the world, highlighting their estimated net worth, primary sources of wealth, and key contributions:

1. Elon Musk

Age: 53
Residence: United States
Co-founder and CEO: Tesla
Net Worth: $316 billion
Tesla Ownership Stake: 13% ($106 billion)
Space Exploration Technologies Ownership Stake (Private): 42% ($136 billion)
Other Assets: The Boring Company ($3.33 billion private asset), Neuralink ($2.07 billion private asset), XAI ($20.1 billion private asset)

Elon Musk is currently the richest man in the world. Born in South Africa, he studied in Canada before transferring to the University of Pennsylvania, earning degrees in physics and economics.

Elon Musk is the richest man in the world

After enrolling in a graduate physics program at Stanford University, Musk dropped out after two days to pursue entrepreneurship. His first venture, Zip2, was one of the earliest online navigation platforms. Musk used the proceeds from its sale to create X.com, an online payment company that later became PayPal after being acquired by eBay.

In 2004, Musk joined Tesla Motors (now Tesla) as a major investor and later became its CEO. Tesla is known for electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and solar energy products following its acquisition of SolarCity in 2016. Musk also leads SpaceX as CEO and chief engineer, pushing innovations in space exploration.

By December 2020, Tesla was added to the S&P 500, becoming the largest company included at the time. A month later, Musk became the world’s richest person, a position he has held off and on since, depending on Tesla’s stock performance.

In April 2022, Musk launched a $44 billion bid to take Twitter private. To fund the acquisition, he sold about $8.5 billion worth of Tesla shares. Though he initially backed out in July, legal pressure led him to proceed with the purchase, and the deal closed in October 2022, giving him a 79% stake in the company.

In 2023, Musk founded xAI, an artificial intelligence firm focused on advancing human scientific discovery. In March 2025, Twitter (now X) and xAI merged to form XAI Holdings, solidifying Musk’s ambitions in AI and social technology.

2. Jeff Bezos

Age: 61
Residence: United States
Founder and Executive Chair: Amazon
Net Worth: $212 billion
Amazon Ownership Stake: 8.6% ($173 billion)
Other Assets: Blue Origin ($15 billion private asset), The Washington Post ($250 million private asset), Koru ($500 million private asset), and $22.9 billion in cash14.

In 1994, Jeff Bezos founded Amazon.com in a Seattle garage after resigning from hedge fund D.E. Shaw. He initially pitched the idea of an online bookstore to his then-boss, David E. Shaw, who declined. What began as a modest book retailer quickly evolved into a global e-commerce powerhouse.

Over the years, Amazon expanded far beyond books—offering everything from electronics to groceries. In 2017, it made headlines by acquiring Whole Foods, and the same year, it entered the pharmacy business, further proving its adaptability. By 2024, Amazon was poised to overtake Walmart as the world’s largest retailer.

Bezos once owned 16% of Amazon, though he transferred 4% to his ex-wife MacKenzie Scott following their 2019 divorce. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 spiked online shopping demand, boosting Amazon’s stock by 76%. Bezos stepped down as CEO on July 5, 2021, becoming executive chair, though he took Amazon public back in 1997 and was the first person since Bill Gates to surpass a $100 billion net worth in 1999.

Outside Amazon, Bezos has invested in several ambitious ventures. He bought The Washington Post in 2013, founded Blue Origin, and funded the 10,000-year clock (The Long Now Project), a symbol of long-term thinking.

On July 20, 2021, Bezos, his brother Mark, aviation pioneer Wally Funk, and Dutch student Oliver Daemen completed Blue Origin’s first successful crewed spaceflight, reaching over 66 miles in altitude. That same month, Bezos’ net worth peaked at $213 billion.

In 2023, he made waves again by purchasing the $500 million superyacht Koru, further cementing his place as one of the most influential and wealthiest individuals in the world.

3. Mark Zuckerberg

Age: 40
Residence: United States
CEO and Chair: Meta Platforms
Net Worth: $204 billion
Meta Platforms Ownership Stake: 13% ($198 billion)
Other Assets: $6.33 billion in cash25Bloomberg.

In 2004, Mark Zuckerberg, along with his Harvard classmates Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes, developed Facebook—now Meta—while attending Harvard University. Initially exclusive to university students, Facebook rapidly gained popularity and soon expanded beyond campuses. Zuckerberg dropped out of Harvard to focus full-time on the growing platform. Today, he serves as CEO and Chair of Meta.

Facebook is the world’s largest social networking service, with most of its revenue coming from advertising. As a free platform, Facebook’s model relies on ad sales to generate billions in income. In addition to Facebook, Meta owns several other major brands, including Instagram (acquired in 2012), WhatsApp (2014), and Oculus, a virtual reality headset producer, also acquired in 2014. The company has diversified into various technology sectors, including virtual reality and enterprise solutions through Workplace.

Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan co-founded the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative in 2015, aiming to leverage technology for social good. The initiative focuses on improving education access and quality, criminal justice reform, U.S. immigration system improvements, affordable housing, and even long-term efforts to eradicate all diseases.

Under Zuckerberg’s leadership, Meta has transformed social interaction online, pushing the boundaries of technology and digital spaces. The company is investing heavily in the Metaverse, a new digital realm that Zuckerberg believes will define the next generation of the internet.

4. Bernard Arnault

Age: 76
Residence: France
CEO and Chair: LVMH
Net Worth: $167 billion
LVMH Ownership Stake: 48% ($149 billion)
Other Assets: $19.1 billion in cash

French national Bernard Arnault is the chairman and CEO of LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton), the world’s largest luxury goods conglomerate. LVMH includes renowned brands such as Louis Vuitton, Hennessy, Marc Jacobs, and Sephora.

The majority of Arnault’s wealth comes from his significant stake in LVMH, with his shares managed through Financière Agache, the investment firm that handles his fortune. Under his leadership, LVMH has become a powerhouse in the luxury market, with its diverse portfolio spanning fashion, beverages, and cosmetics.

Arnault’s background is in engineering, and he first demonstrated his business skills while working at his father’s construction company, Ferret-Savinel. In 1971, Arnault took control of the company and, in 1979, transitioned it to a real estate firm called Férinel Inc.. He remained the company’s chairman until 1984, when he made a pivotal move by acquiring Financière Agache, a luxury goods maker. After reorganizing the company, he sold all of its assets except for Christian Dior and Le Bon Marché, setting the stage for his future success.

Arnault’s big break came in 1987 when he was invited to invest in LVMH. By 1989, he became the majority shareholder, chairman of the board, and CEO, positioning him as one of the most influential figures in the luxury goods industry.

Today, LVMH is synonymous with luxury and craftsmanship, and Arnault’s vision has helped elevate the company to global prominence.

5. Warren Buffett

Age: 94
Residence: United States
CEO: Berkshire Hathaway
Net Worth: $166 billion
Berkshire Hathaway Ownership Stake: 37.4% ($165 billion)35
Other Assets: $1.55 billion in cash

Warren Buffett, the world’s most famous value investor, filed his first tax return at age 14, reporting earnings from his paper route. In 1962, he bought shares in a textile company called Berkshire Hathaway, and by 1965, he became the majority shareholder. Under his leadership, Berkshire Hathaway expanded its portfolio into insurance and other industries by 1967.

Buffett, often called the Oracle of Omaha, is known for his buy-and-hold investment strategy. He built his fortune by acquiring undervalued companies and holding them long-term. Over the years, Berkshire Hathaway has invested in several large, well-known companies. Its holdings include major interests in insurance, energy distribution, railroads, and consumer products.

Despite his success, Buffett is a notable Bitcoin skeptic and has expressed reservations about cryptocurrency’s long-term value.

Philanthropy is a significant part of Buffett’s legacy. From 2006 to 2020, he donated $41 billion, primarily to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and various charities for his children. In 2010, he co-founded The Giving Pledge with Bill Gates, encouraging the world’s wealthiest individuals to give away the majority of their wealth to philanthropic causes.

Now, at age 93, Buffett remains CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, though in 2021, he announced that his likely successor would be Gregory Abel, the head of Berkshire’s non-insurance operations. Buffett’s influence on the investment world remains unparalleled, and his commitment to value investing continues to inspire generations of investors.

6. Larry Ellison

Age: 80
Residence: United States
Co-founder, Chair, and CTO: Oracle
Net Worth: $162 billion
Oracle Ownership Stake: 41% ($121 billion)
Other Assets: Tesla equity ($11.7 billion public asset), $28.1 billion in cash

Larry Ellison was born in New York City to a young, single mother. After dropping out of the University of Chicago in 1966, he moved to California, where he worked as a computer programmer. In 1973, he joined Ampex, where he met future partners Ed Oates and Bob Miner. Three years later, he moved to Precision Instruments, becoming the vice president of research and development.

In 1977, Ellison co-founded Software Development Laboratories (SDL) with Oates and Miner. The company later launched Oracle, the first commercial relational database program to use Structured Query Language (SQL). The success of Oracle led SDL to change its name to Oracle Systems Corporation in 1982. After 37 years, Ellison stepped down as CEO of Oracle in 2014 but remains a major figure in the tech world.

Today, Oracle is the world’s second-largest software company, known for its cloud computing solutions, Java and Linux code, and the Oracle Exadata computing platform. The company has acquired several major companies, including Sun Microsystems and Cerner.

Ellison has also focused on philanthropy, particularly in medical research. In 2016, he donated $200 million to the University of Southern California to establish a new cancer research center. His Oracle Team USA sailing team won the America’s Cup in both 2010 and 2013, further cementing his influence in both technology and sports.

In addition to his business ventures, Ellison joined Tesla’s board in 2018 and stepped down in 2022, continuing to diversify his interests and impact on the world.

7. Bill Gates

Age: 69
Residence: United States
Co-founder: Microsoft
Net Worth: $161 billion
Microsoft Ownership Stake: 1% ($24.3 billion)
Other Assets: Billions in multiple other companies held through a holding company, Cascade Investment, and $78.2 billion in cash\

In 1975, while attending Harvard University, Bill Gates teamed up with his childhood friend Paul Allen to develop software for early microcomputers. Following the success of this project, Gates dropped out of Harvard during his junior year and co-founded Microsoft with Allen in 1975.

Microsoft has grown to become the largest software company in the world, producing a wide range of products including personal computers, email services through Exchange Server, and video game systems. In recent years, the company has invested heavily in cloud computing, solidifying its presence in the tech industry.

Gates served as CEO of Microsoft until 2000, after which he transitioned to the role of board chair in 2008. He also joined Berkshire Hathaway’s board in 2004. In March 2020, Gates stepped down from both positions, marking a shift in his professional life.

The bulk of Gates’ wealth is held in Cascade Investment LLC, a privately held investment firm that owns various stocks and assets. While he remains a prominent figure in the business world, Gates has increasingly dedicated his time and resources to philanthropy.

Together with his ex-wife Melinda and investor Warren Buffett, Gates launched the Giving Pledge in 2010, committing to give away the majority of their wealth to address global issues like global health, poverty, and education.

8. Larry Page

Age: 52
Residence: United States
Co-founder and Board Member: Alphabet (GOOGLE)
Net Worth: $141 billion
Alphabet Ownership Stake: 6% ($121.2 billion)
Other Assets: $20 billion in cash

In 1995, while attending Stanford University, Larry Page and his friend Sergey Brin came up with the idea of improving Internet data extraction. Their project led to the creation of Backrub, a search engine that assessed the links to a page. This technology ultimately became the foundation for Google, which the duo co-founded in 1998.

Page served as CEO of Google twice, first from 1998 to 2001 and later from 2011 to 2019. Under his leadership, Google became the world’s dominant search engine, handling over 92% of global search requests. In 2006, Google acquired YouTube, the leading platform for user-generated videos.

In 2005, Google acquired Android, and the operating system was launched in 2008. Google underwent a major reorganization in 2015, transitioning into a subsidiary of Alphabet, a holding company with diverse ventures beyond search technology.

Page also made early investments in Planetary Resources, a space exploration company focused on asteroid mining, which was later acquired by blockchain firm ConsenSys in 2018. Additionally, Page has shown an interest in flying car companies, investing in Kitty Hawk and Opener, although Kitty Hawk ceased operations in 2022.

Throughout his career, Page’s innovation and investments have extended beyond the tech industry, helping to shape the future of space exploration, autonomous vehicles, and emerging technologies.

9. Sergey Brin

Age: 51
Residence: United States
Co-founder and Board Member: Alphabet (GOOGLE)
Net Worth: $133 billion
Alphabet Ownership Stake: 6% ($112.8 billion)
Other Assets: $20.1 billion in cash

Born in Moscow, Russia, Sergey Brin moved to the United States with his family in 1979 when he was just six years old. In 1998, Brin co-founded Google with his Stanford University friend Larry Page. After Eric Schmidt became CEO in 2001, Brin took on the role of Google’s president of technology, overseeing the company’s technological developments. He continued in the same role at Alphabet, Google’s parent company, after its reorganization in 2015. Brin stepped down from his position in 2019, when Sundar Pichai succeeded Page as CEO of Alphabet.

Google, under Brin’s leadership, grew into the dominant internet search engine, while expanding its offerings with Google Workspace (including tools like Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Drive) and a range of electronic devices such as Pixel smartphones and Nest smart home devices. Google also ventured into the Stadia gaming platform and other tech innovations.

Beyond his work in technology, Brin has made significant philanthropic contributions. He has donated millions of dollars to support Parkinson’s disease research, notably partnering with The Michael J. Fox Foundation in an effort to find a cure for the disease.

Brin’s work in both technology and philanthropy has had a profound impact on the world, helping to shape the digital age while also contributing to important medical research.

10. Steve Ballmer

Age: 69
Residence: United States
Owner: Los Angeles Clippers
Net Worth: $132 billion
Microsoft Ownership Stake: 4% ($120 billion)
Other Assets: Los Angeles Clippers ($5.68 billion private asset), The Forum ($400 million private asset), Intuit Dome ($2 billion private asset), $4.13 billion in cash

Steve Ballmer joined Microsoft in 1980 after Bill Gates convinced him to drop out of Stanford University’s MBA program. He was Microsoft’s 30th employee and quickly became an essential part of the company. In 2000, Ballmer succeeded Gates as CEO of Microsoft, a role he held until his resignation in 2014. During his tenure, Ballmer oversaw several key acquisitions, including the 2011 purchase of Skype for $8.5 billion.

Ballmer is known for his energetic leadership and was instrumental in Microsoft’s push into new areas. However, his tenure was marked by a strained relationship with Gates when Ballmer pushed the company into hardware, such as the Surface tablet and Windows mobile phone, diverging from Microsoft’s traditional software-focused approach.

Ballmer owns an estimated 4% of Microsoft, making him the company’s largest individual shareholder. After stepping down as CEO, Ballmer turned his attention to sports, purchasing the Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion in 2014.

Throughout his career, Ballmer played a critical role in Microsoft’s success, helping to transform it into a tech giant. Beyond his professional accomplishments, he remains a passionate sports fan and philanthropist, with a focus on various charitable causes.

Note: Net worth figures are subject to change due to market fluctuations and are based on available data as of April 2025.

These individuals have profoundly influenced their respective industries, driving innovation and shaping the global economic landscape.

Who Are the Top 10 Richest Man in the World?

The top 10 richest Man in the world as of April 2025, are: