Introduction
There are many people on this earth with an extraordinary amount of money, but the top 10 richest people in the world have a net worth that is so large, they could buy anything. These richest people include Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and Warren Buffett. They are all billionaires who have made their fortunes through various businesses.
For example, Bill Gates has created Microsoft and has invested heavily in other companies over the years. And Jeff Bezos is one of the richest men in America because he founded Amazon.
The world’s richest person in 2021 has been chosen. Forbes has named the top earners for the previous twelve months, and, surprisingly, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos did not make it to the top of the list.
LVMH chairman Bernard Arnault has surpassed Bezos and reclaimed the title of the world’s richest man. Even more stunning is how much the world’s wealthiest man has added to his net worth in just one year, a year marked by the coronavirus, infrastructure delays, and extensive economic uncertainty. He wasn’t the only one.
The richest people in the world are reaping the rewards of a struggling global economy, and it is no surprise that they continue to hold on tightly to their wealth.
The money of the future
Despite the difficulties of 2020, the number of billionaires on Forbes’ 35th annual list of the world’s wealthiest rose to a never-before-seen 2,755 individuals, up 660 from last year. In fact, the list now includes 493 new entrants, one billionaire every 17 hours.
The richest of the new billionaires is Miriam Adelson of Nevada, who inherited her husband Sheldon Adelson’s casino business after his death in January, increasing her net worth to 38.2 billion.
The combined wealth of all the billionaires on the list is now worth a staggering $13.1 trillion, up from $8 trillion last year, according to Forbes.
This is mostly happening following a surge in cryptocurrencies and stock prices and several public offerings in 2021.
The most intriguing statistic is the number of billionaires who have returned to the list. Forbes reports that, as of last month, 250 individuals who’d fallen off the billionaires’ list in the previous year were back on it, and all together, 86 percent of all billionaires are richer today than they were a year ago.
Top 10 richest people in the world in 2021
According to the forecasts, the title of the world’s richest man will be held by Bernard Arnault in 2021; however, the stakes are rising. For the very first time, we are presenting four individuals worth more than $100 billion.
Here’s a rundown of the top 10 wealthiest people on the planet in 2021.
1. Bernard Arnault
Bernard Arnault, the head of LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessey), has had a wonderful year. After LVMH estimated a market value of $417 billion owing to an increase in stock price, Arnault’s 47% stake increased his net worth tremendously.
Arnault is the world’s wealthiest person, with a net worth of $196 billion, up from $185 million in 2018. The luxury company, which includes Louis Vuitton, Bulgari, TAG Heuer, Hennessy, Sephora, and Christian Dior, has seen a 30 percent increase in share price.
Amazon founder and always-on-the-rich-list winner Jeff Bezos’ wealth has been sinking, and the French businessman is now the planet’s richest person.
The Bernard Arnaud even held the title for a few hours on Monday before shares in his LVMH luxury goods company fell back down, and he slipped to number two again. However, it’s been announced today that Bernard will have the top seat of the table for another year after his net worth increased to $196 billion.
Net worth: $196 billion
Source of capital: Luxury goods
Age: 72 years
Education: École Polytechnique (1969–1971), Lycée Faidherbe
2. Jeff Bezos
Jeff Bezos, the founder, and CEO of Amazon has graced the top of Forbes’ list of the world’s richest people for several years; however, he was recently dethroned. At the time of writing, Jeff Bezos is ranked as the second richest person with an estimated worth of $186 billion.
Jeff Bezos’ story is one that proves rags to riches can happen in real life if you’re willing to work hard and never give up on your dreams. Jeff started off working at McDonald’s when he was still a teenager.
Amazon’s stock has dropped by seven percent in one day, resulting in a loss of USD$14 billion in 24 hours for Bezos. However, Bezos was the world’s wealthiest man for three years and his personal wealth now stands at $186 billion, an increase of $73 billion from a year ago as a consequence of Amazon stock price growth.
Net worth: USD$186 billion
Source of capital: Amazon
Age: 57 years
Education: Princeton University (1982–1986), Miami Palmetto Senior High School (1982), River Oaks Elementary School
3. Elon Musk
Elon Musk, the CEO and board member of electric car maker Tesla and SpaceX, was the highest-ranking gainer in money terms this year, climbing to third place.
Elon Musk has more than doubled his money since last year, when he was worth $24.6 billion and ranked No. 31 on the list, owing to a 705 percent surge in Tesla shares.
He was, at one point in the year, actually the world’s wealthiest individual, but volatile stock prices saw him slide easily into third place.
Net worth: $160 billion
Source of capital: Tesla, SpaceX
Age: 49 years
Education: University of Pennsylvania (1992-1997), Queen’s University (1990-1992), Pretoria Boys High School
4. Bill Gates
Previously world’s richest man, Bill Gates also had a terrific year. Thanks to the excellent share performance in Microsoft, Canadian National Railway (CN), and tractor maker Deere & Company, Gates is now worth $124 billion.
This is $46 billion more than in 2016, but it’s still less than the record-breaking $149 bn he had back in 1999.
Bill Gates might have lost his spot as the world’s richest man, but this doesn’t seem to bother him too much. After all, he has pledged to give away most of his money, so he is already the richest man in terms of value.
Net worth: USD$124 billion
Source of capital: Microsoft
Age: 65 years
Education: Harvard University (1973–1975), Lakeside School (1967–1973)
5. Mark Zuckerberg
Lastly, in the top five of the world’s richest people, we have Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg at $97 billion as one of the youngest billionaires in the world.
Despite being under fire recently, the technology magnate has grown his net worth by an astounding USD$42.3 billion. Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook stock price has continued to surge over the last year as mobile revenues have increased by 63% and ad revenue jumped 33%. It seems that no matter how much controversy Facebook finds itself in, investors just can’t seem to get enough of the social network.
The incredible rise comes as a result of a remarkable year for Facebook when the company’s stock appreciated 80% due to people using its social media sites to keep in touch due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Net worth: USD$97 billion
Source of capital: Facebook
Age: 36 years
Education: Harvard University (2002–2004), Phillips Exeter Academy (2000-2002)
6. Warren Buffet
Buffett may be the world’s sixth-wealthiest individual, with a net worth of $96 billion, but this is the first time he hasn’t been in the top five since 1993. Warren Buffett, better known as the Oracle of Omaha that runs Berkshire Hathaway multinational conglomerate holding company, increased his net worth by $28.5 billion in 2021.
Net worth: USD$96 billion
Source of capital: Berkshire Hathaway
Age: 90 years
Education: Columbia Business School (1950–1951), University of Nebraska-Lincoln (1950-1950)
7. Larry Ellison
Larry Ellison, the founder, CEO, and board member of Oracle Corporation had a spectacular year. The Oracle co-founder holds significant stakes in Tesla, which shot up considerably in 2021, resulting in one of the biggest paydays on record.
Net worth: $93 billion
Source of capital: Oracle Corporation, Tesla
Age: 76 years
Education: The University of Chicago (1964–1966)
8. Larry Page
In 2021, Larry Page was able to attain a new level of wealth as Google’s co-founder. Thanks to a rise in working from home and diversified goods, the American entrepreneur is now worth approximately $91.5 billion.
Page has been able to increase his wealth by having an impressive understanding of technology. Many people are still shocked that Page was able to create Google with Sergey Brin back in 1998, at the age of 24 years old.
Net worth: $91.5 billion
Source of capital: Google
Age: 48 years
Education: East Lansing High School (1987–1991)
9. Sergey Brin
In 2021, Larry Page’s partner in business, Sergey Brin, experienced a substantial boost to his wealth. Thanks to a seemingly unending stream of success for the world’s most popular search engine, the tech guru is now worth an estimated $89 billion.
Sergey Brin was born in Russia, but his family moved to the United States when he was just six years old so that they could avoid religious persecution. He studied mathematics and computer science at Stanford University with Larry Page, where they would go on to form Google after being inspired by a project known as “BackRub.”
Net worth: $89 billion
Source of capital: Google
Age: 47 years
Education: Stanford University (1993–1995)
10. Mukesh Ambani
At the end of the top 10 list for 2021 is Mukesh Ambani, owner of India’s largest business conglomerate.
Ambani’s worth has increased further to an estimated $84.5 billion, making him Asia’s wealthiest person.
Ambani has increased his net worth by $29.75 billion in 2021 due to India’s thriving economy and growing middle-class population.
Net worth: $84.5 billion
Source of capital: Reliance Industries Limited
Age: 63 years
Education: Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT)
Final Thoughts
There you go! These are the top ten world’s richest people in 2021, however, remember that these are still just projections and things could change by the end of 2021, especially in the top 3!
