Top 20 Richest People and How They Made Their Fortunes
The top crust of the top 1% own a disproportionate stake of the world's wealth, having accrued billions in their lifetimes - whether from family fortunes, business ventures, investments, or a combination of all of the above.
The reality is that these affluent individuals have a major influence on the world's economics, politics, and society - and the top 20 richest people in the world include heirs, entrepreneurs, investors, and even politicians.
In this article, we'll take a closer look at the top 20 wealthiest people in the world and just how they got to where they are.
Top 20 Richest People
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20-11In the bottom ten, we have a lot of heirs to family fortunes - and some of them are even from the same family.
20. Charles KochThe edX MicroBachelors(R) Program Pathway Initiative offers adult learners:
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- Charles Koch Fdn. (@ckochfoundation) September 1, 2023
Net worth: circa $60 billion
Opening up our list is 87-year-old Charles Koch,who has an estimated net worth of some $60 billion. The son of Fred Koch, founder of America's second-largest private company, Koch Industries, Charles has been the company's chairman since 1967. The company specializes in oil refining and other fossil fuel activities.
In 1983, Koch and his brother David, who passed away in 2019, bought out his family's stakes in Koch Industries. The Koch family is one of the richest families in the US and are well-known for their political influence. Charles Koch, in particular, sponsors many conservative organizations.
19. Alice WaltonICYMI: Starting Wednesday, September 6, we'll be adjusting museum hours. Soak up the last few days of the season with a nature walk
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Net worth: $64 billion
One of the only two women on this list, Alice Walton, 73, is an heiress to the Walmart fortune and has a net worth of$64 billion. Through the family fortune, Walton has earned about$10 billion in dividends.
In addition to the Walmart money, Alice has had a lucrative career in the finance industry and founded a now-defunct investment bank, Llama Group. Presently, she focuses on her art gallery and other art patronages, such as theCrystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
18. Rob WaltonMission complete
Check out what went on behind-the-scenes with the stellar team that made the epic @Oreo drone delivery dunk a reality. pic.twitter.com/1HHoy1tQHH
- Walmart (@Walmart) August 29, 2023
Net worth: $65 billion
Alice's brother Rob Walton surpasses her in terms of his fortune, which amounts to roughly $65 billion.The 78-year-old served as the chairman of Walmart until 2015. Before that, he had put his law degree to use by working for Walmart's law firm.
Rob owns about 13% of Walmart. In addition to this, he is the owner of the Denver Broncos American Football team, together with his daughter and other influential individuals. He also has a large collection of automobiles.
17. Jim Walton
Net worth: $66.5 billion
The richest Walton on the list is Jim Walton, the youngest son of Walmart founder Sam Walton. He's 75, and like his brother Rob, he owns a 13% stake in Walmart.
Before 2016, Jim also served on the company's board, and he's currently serving as the chairman of Arvest Bank - another brainchild of the Walmart company. He's also a shareholder in the bank with a 44% stake.
16. Michael Dell
Net worth: $70 billion
Michael Dell, the 58-year-old founder of the computer giant Dell Technologies, which he still holds a 50% stake in, comes 16th on our list, with a$70 billion fortune. He's also the sole owner of the private equity firm MSD Capital, which manages his assets.
Unlike many others on our list, Dell is a self-made man, having begun his business venture from his college dorm. Through MSD Capital, Dell owns several Four Seasons hotels and several Texan developments. He also has numerous real estate investments.
15. Amancio Ortega
Net worth: circa $70 billion
The first non-American on our list, 87-year-old Spanish businessman Amancio Ortega has a fortune of around $70 billion. He made his money from the Zara and Massimo Dutti fashion brands - operated by Inditex - following his early passion for fashion. He makes around $400 million a year in dividends from Inditex.
In addition to making a fortune from several successful fashion labels, Ortega has several real estate investments, including in an Amazon building.
14. Francoise Bettencourt-Meyers
Net worth: $88 billion
The second woman on our list is the heiress to the L'Oreal fortune. Francoise Bettencourt-Meyers inherited her share of the cosmetics giant from the late Liliane Bettencourt, who, prior to her death, was the richest woman in the world.
The family of the 70-year-old Bettencourt-Meyers owns a third of L'Oreal today. In addition to the company, she makes money from her books of religious commentary.
13. Mukesh Ambani
Net worth: $92 billion
The richest man in India takes the 13th spot on our list. Mukesh Ambani is 66 and earned his fortune of $92 billionin the chemical industry. His company, Reliance Industries, operates in the petrochemicals space and owns the Jio telecom and broadband service.
In addition to the business, Ambani owns a cricket team, The Mumbai Indians, and is a founder of the Indian Super League.
12. Carlos Slim Helu
Net worth: circa $95 billion
The only person from Central America on the list is 83-year-old Mexican businessman Carlos Slim Helu. He's been investing in shares since his teenage years and managed to get enough capital together to start his own investment firm, which eventually formed part of Grupo Galas.
Today, Slim owns several telco companies and has stakes in many Mexican businesses in a range of different industries. His wealth is estimated to be $95 billion.
11. Michael Bloomberg
Net worth: $96 billion
Former New York City Mayor and presidential candidate, 81-year-old Michael Bloomberghas a fortune of $96 billion. He's the majority shareholder of the business media giant Bloomberg LP.
Bloomberg started out on Wall Street before launching Innovative Market Systems, which subsequently became Bloomberg LP. Bloomberg also serves as the chair of the U.S. Defence Innovation Board.
10-610. Sergey Brin
Net worth: $109 billion
The first Google co-founder on our list is Sergey Brin, a 50-year-old entrepreneur who was born in Moscow. Thanks to his majority stake in Google and various management positions held in the company over the years, Brin's fortune is close to $109 billion.
Brin currently serves as a board member of Google's parent company, Alphabet. He also has several real estate investments and a yacht. Together with Larry Page, who also appears on our list, he owns a private airport and two jets.
9. Steve Ballmer- Steve Ballmer (@Steven_Ballmer) August 2, 2022
Net worth: $114 billion
Steve Ballmer, the former CEO of Microsoft and the current owner of the Los Angeles Clippers,takes the ninth spot on our list. His shares in Microsoft and his ownership of the basketball team have earned him a fortune of $114 billion.
Interestingly enough, Ballmer has a reputation as the worst CEO," thanks to a number of unfortunate decisions during his time as CEO of Microsoft. Nevertheless, he has likely collected dividends of some $12 billion over the years.
8. Larry Page
Net worth: $117 billion
Google co-founderLarry Pageis 50 and has a fortune of $117 billion. Until 2019, he was the CEO of Alphabet and is now a board member for the company. Page owns 6% of Alphabet.
In addition to Google, Page is an investor in flying cars" startups and asteroid mining. He has a private island in Fiji.
7. Mark Zuckerberg
Net worth: $118 billion
At 39, Mark Zuckerberg is the youngest person on our list, and he has a net worth of $118 billion,which has doubled in the last year despite a disastrous previous year.
Zuckerberg's fortune comes from Facebook, which he founded in college. At present, Zuckerberg owns about 13% of the company, now known as Meta.
6. Warren BuffetMary Rhinehart, a Berkshire CEO, is successfully running a $2.5B company in a male-dominated field #LeanInTogether pic.twitter.com/MNgeXvee18
- Warren Buffett (@WarrenBuffett) March 5, 2015
Net worth: $120 billion
The oldest person on our list is Warren Buffet, who's 93. His fortune amounts to approximately $120 billion. Dubbed the greatest investor of the 20th century," Buffet runs Berkshire Hathaway, which controls hundreds of companies across sectors like insurance, FMCG, and finance.
Engaged in business from a young age, Buffet bought his first land from the money he made as a paper boy. He became a millionaire at the age of 32.
5-1
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Out of the top five richest people on our list, four operate in the tech space. Let's find out more about them.
5. Bill GatesReady to get unconfused? https://t.co/yTWdrGuk0Q pic.twitter.com/wE2P69joUw
- Bill Gates (@BillGates) August 25, 2023
Net worth: circa $130 billion
Once the richest man in the world - until 2008 - 67-year-old Bill Gates opens up the top 5 with a net worth of nearly $130 billion. The founder of Microsoft and creator of Windows now owns 1.3% of the company.
Gates is primarily focused on philanthropy today. He also owns large areas of farmland in the US.
4. Larry Ellison
Net worth: $134 billion
Number four on our list is Larry Ellison, 79, the founder and CTO of Oracle, Inc.He owns a third of Oracle's shares, bringing his net worth to $134 billion.
In addition to Oracle investments, Ellison owns shares in Tesla and an island in Hawaii. He also has a diverse real estate portfolio and owns a tennis facility and a tournament.
3. Jeff BezosHonored to be on this journey with @NASA to land astronauts on the Moon - this time to stay. Together, we'll be solving the boil-off problem and making LOX-LH2 a storable propellant combination, pushing forward the state of the art for all deep space missions. #Artemis... pic.twitter.com/Y0zDhnp1qX
- Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) May 19, 2023
Net worth: $162 billion
The 59-year-old founder of Amazon has an estimated net worth of over $162 billion. Until 2021, Jeff Bezoswas the richest person in the world. He launched Amazon as a bookstore, which then grew into the world's biggest online retailer - with a little help from an investment from Bezos' parents.
In addition to Amazon, where he retains a 10% ownership stake, Bezos owns The Washington Post newspaper and a rocket company, Blue Origin, which he used to fly into space in 2021.
2. Bernard Arnault.@StellaMcCartney launches world's first luxury handbags made from MIRUM(R) at Paris Fashion Week Winter 2023 runway show.
Learn More: https://t.co/9hMVV3AqOn#LVMH #StellaMcCartney pic.twitter.com/xCFJSZQafr
- LVMH (@LVMH) September 1, 2023
Net worth: $208 billion
The richest European on the list and the only person in the top five who isn't in tech, 74-year-old Frenchman Bernard Arnault and his family made their fortune in luxury goods. He owns LVMH, the managing company for brands like Louis Vuitton, Sephora, Marc Jacobs, Dior, and other fashion names. He has an estimated fortune of $208 billion.
Arnault started out in his father's construction company, which he later turned into a successful real estate venture. The fashion industry is Arnault's largest source of wealth, however, and he also owns a stake in Carrefour.
1. Elon Musk- Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 3, 2023
Net worth: $248 billion
The richest man in the world is 52-year-old entrepreneur and influencer Elon Musk.Today, his wealth is believed to exceed $248 billion,far surpassing the fortunes of Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg.
Musk is the majority owner of Twitter, now X, and has a 13% stake in automotive giant Tesla. In addition, he owns over 40% of space exploration company SpaceX and is a founder of the construction enterprise The Boring Company."
References- Alice Walton Net Worth (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Amancio Ortega Gaona Net Worth (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Bernard Arnault Net Worth (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Bill Gates becomes $2 billion richer as Microsoft's stock logs record price gain (MarketWatch)
- Bloomberg Billionaires Index (Bloomberg)
- Carlos Slim Helu Net Worth (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Charles Koch Net Worth (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Defense Innovation Board (U.S. Department of Defense)
- Elon Musk's SpaceX Rockets To $140 Billion Valuation Following Recent Share Sales By Investors Adding $61 Billion To Musk's Net Worth (Yahoo! Finance)
- Forbes names Microsoft's Steve Ballmer worst CEO - for all the wrong reasons (ExtremeTech)
- Francoise Bettencourt Meyers Net Worth (Celebrity Net Worth)
- How the Koch brothers built the most powerful rightwing group you've never heard of (The Guardian)
- Koch Industries Inc. (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission)
- Jeff Bezos bought Amazon stock for the first time in more than 2 decades. He may be engaging in Elon Musk-style trolling (Yahoo! Finance)
- Jeff Bezos Net Worth (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Jim Walton Net Worth (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Larry Ellison Bloomberg Billionaires Index profile (Bloomberg)
- Larry Page Crunchbase profile (Crunchbase)
- Larry Page Net Worth (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Lessons From The Past -3: Larry Page missing out on social networking (LinkedIn/Natasha Varsi)
- Mark Zuckerberg is $9 billion richer after Meta earnings, and has more than doubled his net worth in 2023 to $118 billion (MarketsInsider)
- Mark Zuckerberg Net Worth (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Michael Bloomberg Net Worth (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Michael Bloomberg's Net Worth in 2023 (Carhp)
- Michael Dell Net Worth (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Never Envy the Richest Woman in the World (Time)
- Rob Walton Net Worth (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Sergey Brin Net Worth (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Steve Ballmer Net Worth (Celebrity Net Worth)
- The 10 Richest People in the World (Investopedia)
- The world's greatest investors & who to follow in 2023 (Trading 212)
- Top 100 Richest People In The World (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Top 20 Richest People in the World (2023) (CareerAddict)
- United States: estimated net worth of the 20 richest people as of 2023 (Statista)
- Warren Buffett Net Worth (Celebrity Net Worth)
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