Every year, the accountants at business platform Forbes conduct research into the richest people on earth, who have managed to amass a fortune of more than nine decimal places. Recently, the Forbes World's Billionaires List 2024 was presented to the world on a silver platter, from which another impressive top emerged (with one person in the lead, of course). And, spoiler alert: the fortunes continue to grow…
Every year, the accountants at business platform Forbes conduct research into the richest people on earth, who have managed to amass a fortune of more than nine decimal places. Recently, the Forbes World's Billionaires List 2024 was presented to the world on a silver platter, from which another impressive top emerged (with one person in the lead, of course). And, spoiler alert: the fortunes continue to grow…
Despite political unrest, persistent inflation and the fluctuating stock market, billionaires don't have to worry about the little things yet. Fortunes continue to grow and there are more billionaires than ever before, a whopping 2.781 of them. This is 141 billionaires more than last year and 26 more than the record set in 2021. Not only are they in greater numbers, but the total value is also at a record high. They are richer than ever, with a combined worth of $14,2 trillion, an increase of $13,1 trillion from 2 and $2023 trillion above the previous record, also set in 1,1.
The United States remains the leader
Two-thirds of the list's members are worth more than a year ago; only a quarter have to make do with less power. Much of the gain has come from the top 20, which have added a combined $2023 billion (€700 billion) in wealth since 649, and from the United States, which now has a record 813 billionaires with a combined worth of $5,7. 5,2 trillion (€473 trillion). China remains in second place with 1,7 billionaires with a combined worth of $1,6 trillion (€200 trillion) India, which is home to XNUMX billionaires, closes the top three.
Celebrities are getting richer
Taylor Swift (€1,02 billion) has also secured a place on the 2024 list, becoming the first musician to achieve this solely on the basis of songwriting and performances. TV producer Dick Wolf (€1,11 billion), the mastermind behind shows like Law & Order and Chicago, is also new on the billionaires list, as is Magic Johnson, the NBA hallofamer who only made his fortune after retiring through business deals and interests in various sports teams. They join a dozen other famous billionaires, including George Lucas (€5,10 billion), Michael Jordan (€2,97 billion) and Kim Kardashian (€1,58 billion).
Richest person on earth
The richest person on earth remains Bernard Arnault. The 75-year-old businessman managed to amass a fortune of €216 billion with his LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy). LVMH is the world's largest conglomerate of luxury products, including Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Moët & Chandon, Dom Pérignon, Tag Heuer and Sephore. He founded the company in 1987 and today the Arnault family is still the largest shareholder in the company.
Forbes World's Billionaires List 2024, the top 10
1. Bernard Arnault (LVMH) – €216 billion
2. Elon Musk (including Tesla and SpaceX) – €181 billion
3. Jeff Bezos (Amazon) – €180 billion
4. Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook) – €164 billion
5. Larry Ellison (Oracle) – €131 billion
6. Warren Buffett (investor) – €123 billion
7. Bill Gates (Microsoft) – €119 billion
8. Steve Ballmer (former Microsoft CEO) – €112 billion
9. Mukesh Ambani (Reliance Industries) – €108 billion
10. Larry Page (Google Inc.) – €106 billion
