In 2024, the world is home to more billionaires than ever before, with the biggest high-net-worth-individuals on the block amassing net worths that reach some truly awe-inspiring figures.
Billionaires play a key role in shaping the global economy and politics too, and currently it’s estimated that there are around 2,781 individuals with fortunes that have reached ten figures.
It’s an exclusive club reserved solely for the elite, and a status that few ever manage to achieve – but those who have have done it in style, with impressive projects based around the latest innovations in technology and science having propelled them to their current lofty heights.
If you’re curious to find out how close you are to being one of them, then try out this net worth tracker. In the meantime, let’s take a look at the biggest movers and shakers and all-round titans of wealth in the world this year.
Elon Musk: The master innovator
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk needs little introduction, having made a name for himself for his commitment to sustainability and innovation. As well as setting the standard for luxury electric vehicles through Tesla and sparking a widespread move towards cleaner, greener modes of transport, Musk has also made considerable advances in the field of renewable energy overall, as well as making a foray into space exploration. His ambitious – and some might say, rather outrageous goals, which include colonising Mars and revolutionising transportation with the Hyperloop, are testament to his limitless imagination and influence on both industries. Tesla’s market dominance is not to be sniffed at, and SpaceX’s pioneering space missions show that for Musk, anything is possible – including turning futuristic concepts into reality.
Jeff Bezos: The E-commerce maestro
Amazon founder and multi-billionaire Jeff Bezos is another well-known name, having transformed the way the world shops to make it faster and more efficient than ever before With a net worth of close to $200 billion, Bezos’ impact on e-commerce and cloud computing has revolutionised both, and Amazon’s expansive ecosystem shows no signs of slowing down when it comes to growth. It seems that Bezos’ appetite for making money knows no bounds, and today, the Amazon ecosystem spans everything from retail and logistics to AWS (Amazon Web Services), with bold adventures including Blue Origin – linked to space exploration – also said to be in the works.
Bernard Arnault: The king of luxury
The chairman and CEO of LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton), Bernard Arnault, has built quite the empire of luxury brands, and with a net worth to rival that of Bezos, it’s proof that the global appetite for high-end products is stronger than ever before. With some of the world’s best-known fashion houses, including Louis Vuitton, Fendi and Dior under the LVMH umbrella, it’s a portfolio that is packed with iconic name and Arnault’s eye for what makes a great brand has seen it continue to flourish, with growth seemingly exponential. LVMH’s ability to adapt to changing trends is one of its super powers, and combined with the rich history and heritage behind its brands, it’s a real force to be reckoned with.
Bill Gates: The visionary philanthropist
Microsoft is one of the world’s biggest and best-known tech companies, and the man behind it, Bill Gates, enjoys a sizable net worth that sits around the $110 billion mark. It might be dwarfed in comparison with some of the other HNWIs on this list, but it’s still enough to make him one of the wealthiest men in the world – and it’s hard to begrudge a man who has such a positive impact via philanthropic giving his money. Through The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation – one of the largest charitable organisations in the world – he funds important projects that aim to tackle everything from global health and education to poverty, as is proof, if you needed it, that such immense wealth can be leveraged for societal good.
