As an online entrepreneur who’s been in the trenches of building digital businesses, I’ve always found inspiration in the stories of those who’ve reached the pinnacle of financial success. The world of wealth is ever-changing, and 2024 has brought some fascinating shifts in the lineup of global billionaires. From tech visionaries to retail magnates, the top 10 richest people in the world represent a diverse array of industries and backgrounds.

What strikes me most about this year’s list is not just the mind-boggling numbers, but the innovative spirit that propelled these individuals to such heights. As someone who’s navigated the ups and downs of the digital landscape, I can’t help but marvel at how these titans have leveraged technology, market trends, and sheer determination to build empires that shape our daily lives.

In this article, we’ll dive into the fortunes and fascinating journeys of the world’s top 10 wealthiest individuals as of 2024 based on data from the Real-Time Billionaires List. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur looking for motivation or simply curious about the movers and shakers of the global economy, these stories offer valuable insights into what it takes to reach unprecedented levels of success in our rapidly evolving world.

1. Elon Musk – $264.7 billion

Elon Musk, the enigmatic entrepreneur and innovator, stands at the pinnacle of global wealth with a staggering net worth of $264.7 billion as of 2024. Born in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1971, Musk displayed an early aptitude for technology and business, creating and selling a video game at the age of 12. His journey to becoming the world’s wealthiest individual has been marked by a series of groundbreaking ventures and calculated risks.

Musk’s fortune is primarily derived from his involvement in multiple successful companies. He co-founded PayPal, which revolutionized online payments, and later sold it to eBay for $1.5 billion in 2002. However, it was his subsequent ventures that catapulted him to unprecedented wealth. As the CEO and largest shareholder of Tesla, the electric vehicle and clean energy company, Musk has seen his net worth soar alongside Tesla’s stock price. The company’s innovations in electric cars, solar technology, and energy storage have disrupted traditional industries and positioned it at the forefront of the sustainable energy movement.

In addition to Tesla, Musk’s wealth is bolstered by his leadership of SpaceX, the private space exploration company he founded in 2002. SpaceX has achieved numerous milestones, including becoming the first private company to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station. Musk’s other ventures, such as Neuralink (brain-computer interfaces) and The Boring Company (infrastructure and tunnel construction), further contribute to his vast fortune. Despite occasional controversies and market fluctuations, Musk’s net worth has remained resilient, cementing his position as the wealthiest person on the planet in 2024.

2. Jeff Bezos – $216.5 billion

Jeff Bezos, the founder and executive chairman of Amazon, holds the second position on the list of the world’s wealthiest individuals with a net worth of $216.5 billion. Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1964, Bezos founded Amazon in 1994 as an online bookstore, which he grew into the world’s largest e-commerce and cloud computing company. His visionary leadership and focus on customer satisfaction have been key drivers of Amazon’s success.

Bezos’ wealth primarily stems from his substantial stake in Amazon, but he has diversified his portfolio over the years. In 2013, he acquired The Washington Post for $250 million, and he manages various investments through his venture capital firm, Bezos Expeditions. Bezos stepped down as CEO of Amazon in 2021 but remains executive chairman, continuing to influence the company’s strategic direction.

3. Larry Ellison – $209.1 billion

Larry Ellison, co-founder, executive chairman, and CTO of Oracle Corporation, rounds out the top three with a net worth of $209.1 billion. Born in New York City in 1944 and raised in Chicago, Ellison’s path to wealth began when he co-founded Software Development Laboratories in 1977, which later became Oracle Corporation. Under his leadership, Oracle grew to dominate the database software market.

Ellison’s fortune has seen significant growth in recent years, largely due to Oracle’s strong performance in the artificial intelligence market. The company’s strategic focus on building data centers for AI technologies has resonated with investors, driving up Oracle’s stock price and Ellison’s net worth. Beyond Oracle, Ellison is known for his investments in luxury real estate, including the Hawaiian island of Lanai, which he purchased in 2012.

4. Mark Zuckerberg – $198 billion

According to the Real-Time Billionaires List, Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder and CEO of Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook), has solidified his position as one of the world’s wealthiest individuals with a net worth of $198 billion as of 2024. Born in White Plains, New York, in 1984, Zuckerberg’s journey to immense wealth began in his Harvard dorm room, where he created Facebook in 2004. His programming prowess and entrepreneurial spirit were evident from an early age, having built a messaging program called Zucknet for his father’s dental practice while still in high school.

Zuckerberg’s fortune is primarily tied to his approximately 13% stake in Meta Platforms, which has grown into a global tech giant with multiple platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Under his leadership, Meta has expanded beyond social networking into areas such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence. The company’s success has been reflected in its financial performance, with revenues reaching $134.9 billion in 2023 and boasting about 4 billion monthly active users across its platforms.

Despite his enormous wealth, Zuckerberg has pledged to give away 99% of his Meta shares over his lifetime for philanthropic causes. He and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have been actively involved in various charitable initiatives, including a $100 million donation to Newark’s public school system in 2010. Zuckerberg’s vision extends beyond Meta, as he continues to invest in and shape the future of technology and social interaction, particularly with the company’s focus on developing the metaverse.

5. Bernard Arnault & family – $168 billion

Bernard Arnault, the chairman and CEO of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH), stands as one of the world’s wealthiest individuals with a net worth of $168 billion. Born in Roubaix, France, in 1949, Arnault has built an unparalleled luxury goods empire that spans over 75 prestigious brands across various sectors.

Arnault’s journey to becoming a luxury titan began in 1984 when he acquired the bankrupt textile group that owned Christian Dior. He strategically sold off other businesses and used the proceeds to gain a controlling stake in LVMH. Under his leadership, LVMH has grown into the world’s largest luxury goods conglomerate, with a portfolio that includes iconic brands such as Louis Vuitton, Hennessy, Bulgari, and Tiffany & Co.

The majority of Arnault’s wealth stems from his 48% stake in LVMH, which reported revenues of 86.2 billion euros ($93.2 billion) in 2023. Known for his strategic acquisitions and business acumen, Arnault has successfully navigated the luxury market’s challenges and opportunities. His influence extends beyond fashion and luxury, as he is also an avid art collector and has made significant investments in various sectors.

6. Larry Page – $141 billion

Larry Page, co-founder of Google and former CEO of its parent company Alphabet Inc., has amassed a fortune of $141 billion, securing his place among the world’s wealthiest individuals. Born in East Lansing, Michigan, in 1973, Page’s journey to tech stardom began at Stanford University, where he met Sergey Brin and co-created Google in 1998.

Page’s wealth is primarily derived from his stake in Alphabet Inc., where he holds approximately 6.1% of the company’s shares. Under his leadership, Google expanded from a search engine into a diverse technology conglomerate, venturing into areas such as mobile operating systems, email services, and artificial intelligence. Page’s vision and innovative approach have been instrumental in Google’s growth and its position as one of the most influential companies in the world.

Beyond Google, Page has invested in various ventures, including electric vehicles and alternative energy sources. He has also shown interest in futuristic projects, such as flying cars and space exploration. Page’s commitment to technological advancement and his ability to envision and create transformative products have not only contributed to his personal wealth but have also shaped the digital landscape we navigate today.

7. Warren Buffett – $139.8 billion

Warren Buffett, often referred to as the “Oracle of Omaha,” has solidified his position as one of the world’s most successful investors and business tycoons with a net worth of $139.8 billion. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1930, Buffett displayed an aptitude for business and investing from a young age, buying his first stock at just 11 years old. His journey to becoming one of the wealthiest individuals on the planet is a testament to his unwavering commitment to value investing and his exceptional ability to identify undervalued companies.

Buffett’s fortune is primarily derived from his position as the CEO and largest shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway, a conglomerate that owns a diverse portfolio of businesses and investments. Under his leadership, Berkshire Hathaway has grown from a struggling textile manufacturer into a holding company with interests in insurance, energy, railroads, and consumer goods. Buffett’s investment philosophy, which emphasizes long-term value creation over short-term gains, has consistently outperformed the market, earning him a reputation as one of the greatest investors of all time.

Despite his immense wealth, Buffett is known for his frugal lifestyle and his commitment to philanthropy. He has pledged to give away 99% of his fortune to charitable causes, primarily through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Buffett’s influence extends beyond the business world, as he is often sought after for his insights on economics, investing, and public policy. His annual shareholder letters and Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meetings have become legendary, attracting thousands of investors and admirers from around the globe.

8. Sergey Brin – $135 billion

Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google and former president of its parent company Alphabet Inc., has amassed a fortune of $135 billion. Born in Moscow in 1973, Brin immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of six. He met Larry Page while pursuing his Ph.D. in computer science at Stanford University, and together they founded Google in 1998, revolutionizing the way people access and interact with information online.

Brin’s wealth is largely tied to his stake in Alphabet Inc., where he remains a controlling shareholder and board member. Under his leadership, Google expanded from a search engine into a diverse technology conglomerate, venturing into areas such as mobile operating systems, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. Brin’s innovative spirit and technical expertise were instrumental in developing groundbreaking products like Google Glass and the company’s self-driving car project.

9. Amancio Ortega – $128.5 billion

Amancio Ortega, the Spanish fashion tycoon and founder of Inditex, the parent company of Zara, has built a retail empire that has propelled his net worth to $128.5 billion. Born in 1936 in Busdongo de Arbás, Spain, Ortega’s journey from a humble background to becoming one of the wealthiest individuals in the world is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and innovative approach to fast fashion.

Ortega founded Inditex in 1985, and under his leadership, the company has grown to include eight major clothing brands, with Zara being the most recognizable. His success is attributed to Inditex’s unique business model, which emphasizes rapid turnaround from design to retail, allowing the company to quickly respond to changing fashion trends. Despite stepping down as chairman in 2011, Ortega remains the largest shareholder of Inditex and continues to play a significant role in the company’s strategic decisions.

10. Steve Ballmer – $122.1 billion

Steve Ballmer, former CEO of Microsoft and current owner of the Los Angeles Clippers NBA team, has accumulated a net worth of $122.1 billion. Born in Detroit in 1956, Ballmer joined Microsoft in 1980 as employee number 30 and became the company’s first business manager. He played a crucial role in Microsoft’s growth during the personal computer revolution and succeeded Bill Gates as CEO in 2000, a position he held until 2014.

Under Ballmer’s leadership, Microsoft significantly expanded its product line and entered new markets, including the Xbox gaming console and cloud computing services. His tenure saw Microsoft’s annual revenue grow from $23 billion to $77 billion. After retiring from Microsoft, Ballmer purchased the Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion in 2014, the highest price ever paid for an NBA team at the time. Known for his energetic and passionate leadership style, Ballmer has also made significant philanthropic contributions, particularly in areas of economic mobility and education.