Discover the top 25 richest individuals in the world as of 2023. Explore their net worth, source of wealth, and citizenship. Get insights into the fortunes of these influential billionaires and their contributions to various industries.
#1. Bernard Arnault & family
Source of Wealth: LVMH | Age: 74 | Citizenship: France
Net worth: $211 Billion
Due to a successful year at LVMH, the company that owns Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, and Tiffany & Co., among other premium brands, the French luxury goods mogul tops the list of the world's billionaires for the first time. Arnault's fortune increased by $53 billion over the past 12 months, making it the largest gain of any billionaire. This was made possible by record highs in revenue, profit, and LVMH shares. Richer than ever, Arnault is preparing for his family's future. In July, he proposed reorganising his holding company, Agache, which owns the majority of his LVMH shares, to give each of his five children an equal interest.
#2. Elon Musk
Source of Wealth: Tesla, SpaceX | Age: 51 | Citizenship: U.S.
Net worth: $180 Billion
With Tesla shares down about 50% since Musk announced his $44 billion buyout of Twitter last April, significantly outpacing the tech-heavy Nasdaq's 18% decline, Musk has largely tweeted himself out of the top spot on the rankings. The $23 billion in Tesla shares he sold to pay for the acquisition has been lamented by investors. Meanwhile, SpaceX continues to rocket, with a tender offer that concluded in early 2023 valuing the firm at about $140 billion, up from the $127 billion at which investors valued it in May. Musk's fortune has decreased by $39 billion since last year, though.
#3. Jeff Bezos
Source of Wealth: Amazon | Age: 59 | Citizenship: U.S.
Net worth: $114 Billion
Bezos has made headlines with a nearly finished $500 million superyacht, travelled to space with his company Blue Origin, and increased his generosity by supporting organisations like Bezos Academy free preschools and grants from his Bezos Earth Fund since leaving his position as CEO of Amazon in 2021. His luck isn't doing very well: Thanks to a 38% drop in Amazon stock, he is $57 billion poorer than he was a year ago, the largest loss of any billionaire.
#4. Larry Ellison
Source of Wealth: Oracle | Age: 78 | Citizenship: U.S.
Net worth: $107 Billion
Despite a challenging year for technology, the Oracle chairman and former CEO moved up four spots as the company's shares surged 10% thanks to strong earnings and a security-focused strategy. Last summer, for $173 million, Ellison added to his collection of opulent real estate, which already included the Hawaiian island of Lanai where he currently resides. After four years, he left the Tesla board in August.
#5. Warren Buffett
Source of Wealth: Berkshire Hathaway | Age: 92 | Citizenship: U.S.
Net worth: $106 Billion
Buffett has been on a spending binge for the past three years, investing around $90 billion of Berkshire Hathaway's funds in equities, share buybacks, and the $11.5 billion purchase of insurance company Alleghany Corp., which concluded in October. The Biden administration reportedly sought advice from the Oracle of Omaha, a veteran of market crises, about bank runs and potential investments in regional banks in late March.
#6. Zhong Shanshan
Source of Wealth: Beverages | Age: 68 | Citizenship: China
Net worth: $101 Billion
Due to the success of his bottled water business, Nongfu Spring, which went public in Hong Kong in 2020, the Chinese billionaire rose swiftly through the ranks. He also owns Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy, a company that makes vaccines. Zhong Shanshan has amassed immense money, although he leads a low-key lifestyle and is known as the "Lone Wolf" for his independent nature in business.
#7. Larry Page
Source of Wealth: Google | Age: 49 | Citizenship: U.S.
Net worth: $98 Billion
In 2019, Google co-founder Larry Page resigned as CEO of Alphabet, Google's parent company, but he continues to serve on the board and hold a majority stake. Through his private investment company, he still makes investments in cutting-edge initiatives including the creation of a self-sustaining city and electric flying automobiles. Page is renowned for his charitable work on behalf of the Page Family Foundation.
#8. Sergey Brin
Source of Wealth: Google | Age: 49 | Citizenship: U.S.
Net worth: $97 Billion
The other Google co-founder, Sergey Brin, retired from his operational positions at Alphabet in 2019. He now concentrates on a number of side projects, such as investigating the possibility of meat substitutes and synthetic proteins. Brin is a generous donor who has made large contributions to causes like the study of Parkinson's disease.
#9. Mark Zuckerberg
Source of Wealth: Facebook | Age: 38 | Citizenship: U.S.
Net worth: $96 Billion
Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder and CEO of Facebook, has recently been the target of criticism and difficulties related to privacy concerns and content moderation on the platform. Despite this, Facebook's user base is still expanding and the corporation has entered a number of new businesses, including virtual reality through Oculus. Through his Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, are engaged philanthropists.
#10. Mukesh Ambani
Source of Wealth: Reliance Industries | Age: 65 | Citizenship: India
Net worth: $95 Billion
Reliance Industries, an Indian conglomerate with holdings in petrochemicals, refining, oil, and telecommunications, is headed by Mukesh Ambani, who is also the company's largest shareholder. Ambani had a key role in Reliance Industries' growth and diversification, particularly through the establishment of the telecommunications and digital services business Reliance Jio. Additionally, he has made large investments in renewable energy.
#11. Steve Ballmer
Source of Wealth: Microsoft | Age: 67 | Citizenship: U.S.
Net worth: $90 Billion
From 2000 until 2014, Steve Ballmer led Microsoft as CEO and played a key role in the expansion and restructuring of the business. Ballmer founded the Ballmer Group, which supports initiatives in education, combating climate change, and economic growth. Since leaving Microsoft, Ballmer has concentrated on his philanthropic endeavours.
#12. Amancio Ortega
Source of Wealth: Zara | Age: 86 | Citizenship: Spain
Net worth: $89 Billion
The creator of Inditex, the organisation that owns Zara and numerous other clothing businesses, is Amancio Ortega. With his fast-fashion business strategy, which prioritises quick turnaround times and regular product revisions, Ortega revolutionised the fashion industry. Despite his enormous riches, Ortega keeps a modest profile and stays out of the spotlight.
#13. Carlos Slim Helu
Source of Wealth: Telecom | Age: 82 | Citizenship: Mexico
Net worth: $83 Billion
Carlos Slim Helu makes money in a number of sectors, including banking, retail, and telecommunications. He holds stakes in multiple other businesses in addition to owning America Movil, the largest mobile telecom company in Latin America. Slim Helu is renowned for his generosity as well, particularly in the fields of health, education, and the eradication of poverty.
#14. Bernard Arnault & family
Source of Wealth: LVMH | Age: 73 | Citizenship: France
Net worth: $82 Billion
The largest luxury goods firm in the world, LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, is led by Bernard Arnault as chairman and CEO. Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, and Moet & Chandon are just a few of the well-known companies owned by LVMH. Arnault is regarded as one of the most prominent people in the luxury market and his business acumen has helped the company grow and expand significantly.
#15. Warren Buffett
Source of Wealth: Berkshire Hathaway | Age: 92 | Citizenship: U.S.
Net worth: $81 Billion
Often referred to as the "Oracle of Omaha," Warren Buffett is the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, a holding company for international conglomerates. One of the most successful investors in history, Buffett has amassed his money through savvy purchases and investments. He is renowned for his charity as well because he promised to devote much of his wealth to humanitarian causes.
#16. Larry Ellison
Source of Wealth: Oracle | Age: 77 | Citizenship: U.S.
Net worth: $80 Billion
The enormous software company Oracle Corporation was co-founded in 1977 by Larry Ellison, who led it as CEO until 2014. He was essential in helping Oracle grow into one of the top technology businesses in the world. Ellison is renowned for leading a lavish lifestyle that includes opulent homes, yachts, and a love of competitive sailing.
#17. Sergey Brin
Source of Wealth: Google | Age: 48 | Citizenship: U.S.
Net worth: $77 Billion
In 1998, Larry Page and Sergey Brin co-founded Google, which is now a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. The search engine technology that revolutionised how information is accessed online was developed in large part because to Brin. Although Brin left his day-to-day position at Alphabet in 2019, he continues to be a prominent figure in the tech sector and is active in a number of charitable endeavours.
#18. Larry Page
Source of Wealth: Google | Age: 49 | Citizenship: U.S.
Net worth: $77 Billion
Together with Sergey Brin, Larry Page co-founded Google. From its founding in 1998 through 2019, Alphabet Inc. was led by Larry Page as its CEO. Google's expansion and diversification into industries like cloud computing, driverless cars, and artificial intelligence were significantly aided by Page. Like Brin, Page is heavily involved in charitable activities.
#19. Francoise Bettencourt Meyers & family
Source of Wealth: L'Oreal | Age: 68 | Citizenship: France
Net worth: $75 Billion
The richest woman in the world is Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, who is also the granddaughter of L'Oreal's founder. A major cosmetics and beauty brand is L'Oreal. Bettencourt Meyers is in charge of managing the assets of her family as the chairwoman of the holding company. She has dedicated her life to philanthropy and has prioritised a number of social and cultural concerns.
#20. Alice Walton
Source of Wealth: Walmart | Age: 72 | Citizenship: U.S.
Net worth: $70 Billion
Alice Walton, a prominent shareholder in the business and the daughter of Sam Walton, the man who founded Walmart. She is renowned for her love of art and was essential to the creation of Arkansas' Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Walton supports numerous cultural and educational endeavours and actively participates in philanthropy.
#21. Ma Huateng (Pony Ma)
Source of Wealth: Tencent Holdings | Age: 50 | Citizenship: China
Net worth: $69 Billion
The co-founder and CEO of Tencent Holdings, a Chinese global company, is Ma Huateng, also referred to as Pony Ma. One of the biggest technology businesses in the world, Tencent has a variety of interests, including those in social media, gaming, and entertainment. One of China's most significant business figures and a key contributor to Tencent's success is Ma Huateng.
#22. Michael Bloomberg (Bloomberg LP)
Source of Wealth: Financial services | Age: 80| Citizenship: U.S.
Net worth: $61 Billion
Michael Bloomberg is a corporate tycoon, philanthropist, and former politician from the United States. He is most known for being the publisher and principal owner of the media, software, and financial services company Bloomberg LP. Bloomberg, who was born on February 14, 1942, has had a spectacular career spanning many industries.
#23. MacKenzie Scott (Author, philanthropist)
Source of Wealth: Divorce settlement | Age: 53 | Citizenship: U.S.
Net worth: $60 Billion
Author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, previously MacKenzie Bezos, hails from the United States. She was born in San Francisco, California, on April 7, 1970. Scott rose to fame in the media as a result of her well-publicized divorce from Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. She has now become a well-known name in the humanitarian community, though.
#24. John Mars (Mars, Inc.)
Source of Wealth: Confectionery (Mars, Inc.)| Age: 87 | Citizenship: U.S.
Net worth: $40 Billion
John Mars is also a wealthy descendant of Mars, Inc. The business was passed down to him and his siblings by their father. For a long time, Mars, Inc. has been a significant player in the global confectionery market.
#25. Sheldon Adelson (Las Vegas Sands):
Source of Wealth: Casino industry | Age: 87 | Citizenship: United States
Net worth: $35 billion
Sadly, Sheldon Adelson, an American business billionaire and casino tycoon, passed dead on January 11, 2021. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States, on August 4, 1933. Adelson was well-known for making important contributions to the casino and resort business, primarily through his business, Las Vegas Sands Corporation.
