The world of wealth is filled with individuals who have extraordinary levels of financial security. For many, the names of the world’s wealthiest people are easily recognizable. However, there is a massive variation in the wealth held by the world’s wealthiest people. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, collectively the world’s wealthiest people are worth an estimated $8.7 trillion. From tech billionaires to the traditional titans of industry, these are some of the richest people in the world.
Jeff Bezos
At the top of the list of world’s wealthiest people is Jeff Bezos. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Bezos is worth $183 billion as of 2021. As the founder, chairman, and CEO of Amazon, one of the world’s largest online retailers, he has amassed an incredible fortune. He is also the founder and owner of space exploration company Blue Origin. Beyond these two massive companies, Bezos has a presence in a range of other sectors, like media and newspapers.
Bill Gates
Bill Gates is the second wealthiest person in the world with an estimated net worth of $124 billion. This Microsoft co-founder is widely known for his activism and philanthropy efforts, with his Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He famously sold 85% of his Microsoft stake and switched to an advisory role in 2008. Since then, he has been focusing his time on philanthropic and investment endeavors through his company, Cascade Investment. Gates is also a leader in the fight against the Coronavirus, pouring billions into the cause.
Warren Buffett
Warren Buffett is one of the most successful investors of all time and the third wealthiest person in the world. He has an estimated net worth of $100 billion. Buffett is the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, a holding company with multiple subsidiary businesses, including Coca-Cola, Geico, and Kraft Heinz. He is famous for his value investing philosophy and has regularly proclaimed how much he loves the company he leads.
Bernard Arnault
Bernard Arnault, the chairman and CEO of LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy), is the fourth wealthiest person in the world with an estimated net worth of $91.5 billion. LVMH is a luxury conglomerate with 70 major brands, including Fendi and Donna Karan. Arnault, a French business magnate, is also the largest individual shareholder of the multinational technology company, Groupe Bruxelles Lambert.
Mark Zuckerberg
Mark Zuckerberg, the 35-year-old Facebook CEO, rounds out the top five wealthiest people in the world. Zuckerberg has an estimated net worth of $87.5 billion. The Harvard dropout launched Facebook in 2004 and since then, the social media juggernaut has become one of the most powerful companies in the world. He also owns Instagram and Whatsapp, two more tech giants, making him one of the most successful tech moguls of our time.
The Richest People in Asia
Asia is home to the richest people in the world. The continent is home to world-renowned moguls and investors with impressive wealth, some of which have been in prominent families and dynasties for generations. Here are five of the wealthiest and most successful Asian moguls.
Mukesh Ambani
With an estimated net worth of approximately $77 billion, the Indian mogul Mukesh Ambani is the eighth richest person in the world and the richest person in Asia. Ambani is the chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries, India’s biggest conglomerate. With interests in oil and gas, telecommunication, and retail, Ambani’s impressive wealth comes from the successful and diverse businesses that support India’s economy in many ways.
Jack Ma
Jack Ma, the founder and former chairman of Alibaba, is the second-richest person in the region, with an estimated net worth of more than $47.3 billion. The Chinese tech billionaire’s incredible wealth has been attributed to his ability to galvanize the power of the internet in China, through the creation of e-commerce empires such as Alibaba, Taobao, and Alipay. Ma’s various ventures have been heavily successful since their launch.
Lee Kun-hee
Lee Kun-hee is the chairman of Samsung and the third richest person in Asia, with an estimated net worth of $21.9 billion. He is credited with playing a key role in turning Samsung into one of the top global companies, focusing heavily on innovation and technology. Despite stepping down from the position of chairman in 2008, Lee remains the largest individual shareholder in Samsung.
Liu Yiqian
With an estimated net worth of $17.1 billion, Liu Yiqian is the fourth wealthiest person in Asia. He is the founder of the Soho China real estate empire. Yiqian is also an avid art collector; he has acquired a number of prominent Chinese art pieces. A renowned philanthropist, Yiqian has made it his life’s mission to help the betterment of Chinese society.
Azim Premji
Azim Premji, the chairman of Wipro Limited, rounds out this list of wealthiest Asian people. He has an estimated net worth of $13.4 billion and is the fifth wealthiest person in the region. This Indian business tycoon is also one of the most generous philanthropists in the world, having donated over $22 billion to charitable causes in his career.
Richest People in Europe
Europe has an impressive number of billionaires, many of which have inherited wealth or made their fortunes as tech moguls. Here are five of the wealthiest people in Europe with an incredible amount of financial security:
Bernard Arnault
As mentioned previously, Bernard Arnault is fourth wealthiest person in the world and the richest person in Europe. His business world holdings are impressive, including numerous brands within the luxury sector.
Amancio Ortega
Amancio Ortega is the second wealthiest person in Europe, with an estimated net worth of $72.4 billion. He is the founder of the Spanish fashion brand Zara. He is considered one of the most influential business figures in the fashion industry and his company often revolutionizes the retail sector.
Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg is the third wealthiest person in Europe, with an estimated net worth of $3.5 billion. He is the co-founder of Dream Works, a cinema production and distribution company. He has directed some of the most successful films of the past decades, including E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jurassic Park, and Saving Private Ryan.
Francoise Bettencourt Meyers
Francoise Bettencourt Meyers is the fourth wealthiest person in Europe, with an estimated net worth of $63.3 billion. She is the chairwoman of L’Oreal Group; this French company has made Bettencourt Meyers one of the wealthiest people in the world.
Alisher Usmanov
Alisher Usmanov, a Russian business mogul and investor, rounds out this list with an estimated net worth of $15.4 billion. Usmanov is the founder and president of USM Holdings, an industrial and investments corporation. His wealth is attributed to the success of USM, as well as early success in the mining sector.
The Richest People in the USA
The United States is home to some of the world’s wealthiest people. Here are five of the wealthiest Americans with an incredible amount of financial security:
Elon Musk
Elon Musk is the richest person in the United States and the sixth richest person in the world with an estimated net worth of $165.5 billion. Known for his multiple tech-related ventures, such as Tesla, SpaceX, and The Boring Company, he has revolutionized the tech and space industries. Musk is a prominent figure in the entrepreneurship and advanced technology worlds.
Jeff Bezos
As previously mentioned, Jeff Bezos is the wealthiest person in the world, with an estimated net worth of $183 billion. Founder, chairman, and CEO of Amazon, Bezos has made a name for himself in the tech and e-commerce space. He is also the founder and owner of Blue Origin, a space exploration company.
Mark Zuckerberg
Mark Zuckerberg, the founder, chairman, and CEO of Facebook, is the third wealthiest person in the United States, with an estimated net worth of $87.5 billion. The social networking giant Facebook has grown exponentially since its launch, making Zuckerberg one of the world’s most powerful people.
Warren Buffett
Warren Buffett, the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway and one of the world’s most successful investors, is the fourth wealthiest person in the United States with an estimated net worth of $100 billion. He is the leader of the company and renowned for his value investing philosophy.
Larry Ellison
Larry Ellison is the fifth wealthiest person in the US, with an estimated net worth of $93.1 billion. Ellison is the founder and executive chairman of Oracle Corporation, one of the world’s largest technology companies. He also has a huge presence in the hospitality and tourism industry.
The world of wealthy people is a complex and ever-changing one. This list offers a glimpse into the financial security of some of the richest people in the world and the legacy they have created in the business world. From tech moguls to luxury business owners, these five individuals from each continent have a large impact on the global economies and the industries they exist in.
