Who is the richest person in the world in 2025? The top 20 billionaires dominating global wealth

The question “who is the richest person in the world” continues to generate great interest among investors and market enthusiasts. The 2025 edition of the Bloomberg Billionaires Index revealed an interesting reshuffling of global magnates’ positions, with significant changes among established names and unexpected new rises.

The list remains heavily concentrated in the US, where technology, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital commerce dominate. Among the top ten, nine are Americans — only one European managed to break through this hegemony. Personalities like Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos swapped places, while Jensen Huang of NVIDIA gained exponential prominence driven by the AI explosion.

The pinnacle of wealth: who commands the billionaire fortunes

1. Elon Musk — US$ 358 billion

Musk remains at the forefront when it comes to the largest individual fortune on the planet. The South African who became an American icon manages Tesla, SpaceX, xAI, and the platform X — a portfolio few can handle with such complexity.

His wealth base started with electric cars but expanded into renewable energy, reusable rockets, and now AI processing. Interestingly, Musk also maintains exposure to cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (currently at US$ 86.84K), Ethereum (US$ 2.91K), and Dogecoin (US$ 0.13) — bets that reflect his interest in decentralized technologies.

2. Larry Ellison — US$ 251 billion

The Oracle founder solidified his legacy in the digital age by dominating enterprise databases, cloud infrastructure, and corporate AI solutions. Ellison proved that longevity in the tech market is more important than isolated innovation.

Beyond Oracle, his strategic holdings in Tesla and other tech companies reinforce his position among the wealthiest men in the world.

3. Mark Zuckerberg — US$ 251 billion

Zuckerberg transformed his social foundation into a multifaceted empire. Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and the Oculus division created an ecosystem where augmented reality, virtual reality, and the metaverse promise to redefine human interaction.

Meta today represents not just a social network but an ambitious bet on the next generation of visual and immersive computing.

4. Jeff Bezos — US$ 247 billion

The Amazon founder revolutionized two industries simultaneously: retail and cloud computing. AWS became a profit machine subsidizing lower-margin e-commerce operations.

Even after stepping down from Amazon’s leadership, Bezos maintains control over significant assets, including Whole Foods and Blue Origin — his bet on commercial space exploration.

5. Steve Ballmer — US$ 174 billion

Former Microsoft CEO during its golden era, Ballmer led the expansion of Azure, Office 365, and a series of acquisitions that positioned the company as a cloud giant.

Today, he owns the Los Angeles Clippers, bringing his growth mindset to professional sports.

6. Larry Page — US$ 165 billion

Co-founder of Google, Page continues investing in high-risk projects: autonomous vehicles, aerospace technology, and advances in AI — sectors where returns are uncertain but the transformative potential is immense.

7. Bernard Arnault — US$ 156 billion

The only European among the top ten, Arnault commands the LVMH empire and controls some of the most luxurious brands on the planet — Louis Vuitton, Dior, Moët & Hennessy. His wealth proves that luxury remains a resilient industry even in times of volatility.

8. Sergey Brin — US$ 154 billion

Another Google co-founder, Brin diversified his bets into autonomous mobility, biotechnology, and expanding the frontiers of artificial intelligence.

9. Jensen Huang — US$ 149 billion

NVIDIA’s creator gained prominence by leading the race for specialized AI processors. The company’s GPUs dominate data centers, machine learning, and high-performance computing worldwide.

Huang represents a recent phenomenon: billionaires created not by traditional monopolies but by tools fueling the next technological revolution.

10. Warren Buffett — US$ 141 billion

Known as the “Oracle of Omaha,” Buffett built his fortune through patience and rigorous asset selection. As head of Berkshire Hathaway, his value investing philosophy continues to inspire imitators worldwide.

The 20 biggest billionaires in the world in 2025

Lessons billionaires teach about wealth and markets

Analyzing the trajectories of these magnates reveals recurring patterns that transcend specific sectors:

Long-term vision — None of them focused on quick gains. They built empires with decades in mind.

Bet on technology — Whether computing, energy, transportation, or AI, all recognized structural changes before the majority.

Smart diversification — They do not concentrate wealth in a single asset. Multiple income sources reduce risk.

Focus on fast-growing sectors — Cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy captured a disproportionate share of the wealth created.

For investors seeking inspiration, the pattern is clear: who is the richest person in the world doesn’t get rich by chance. Building wealth requires strategic discipline, exposure to emerging innovations, and patience to let compounds grow over time. Musk’s boldness in technology, Buffett’s methodical value approach, and Arnault’s persistence in luxury demonstrate that paths vary — but rigor remains universal.