The world’s wealthiest continue to amass fortunes at an astonishing rate, with the latest data revealing significant shifts in the billionaire landscape. According to the data released by Forbes, X owner Elon Musk is on the top of the list of top 30 richest people in the world. From India, Chairman of Reliance Industries Mukesh Ambani is at 16th position whereas Gautam Adani is at 25th.
Top of the Heap: Musk Leads, Tech Dominates
Elon Musk, with a staggering $388.0 billion, holds the title of the world’s richest person. His wealth is primarily derived from his stakes in Tesla and SpaceX, highlighting the continued dominance of the technology sector. Jeff Bezos of Amazon follows with $208.6 billion, and Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook rounds out the top three with $206.7 billion. The dominance of the tech sector is further solidified by Larry Ellison of Oracle ($187.3 billion), Larry Page ($129.0 billion), Sergey Brin ($123.6 billion), and Steve Ballmer ($128.0 billion), all associated with major tech companies. Jensen Huang, from the semiconductor industry, also makes a strong showing with $102.7 billion.
Geographic Distribution: US Leads, India and China Rise
The United States continues to be home to the largest number of billionaires in the top 30, with 16 individuals on the list. However, India and China are also significant players. Mukesh Ambani, with $104.3 billion, represents India’s diversified industries, while Gautam Adani, also from India, has $60.0 billion in infrastructure and commodities. China has Zhang Yiming of TikTok ($65.5 billion), Ma Huateng of online games ($52.1 billion), and Zhong Shanshan of beverages and pharmaceuticals ($58.5 billion).
List of Top 30 Billionaires in the World (May 9, 2025)
| Rank | Name | Wealth | Age | Company Owned | Country |
| 1 | Elon Musk | $388.0 B | 53 | Tesla, SpaceX | United States |
| 2 | Jeff Bezos | $208.6 B | 61 | Amazon | United States |
| 3 | Mark Zuckerberg | $206.7 B | 40 | United States | |
| 4 | Larry Ellison | $187.3 B | 80 | Oracle | United States |
| 5 | Warren Buffett | $159.9 B | 94 | Berkshire Hathaway | United States |
| 6 | Bernard Arnault & family | $146.3 B | 76 | LVMH | France |
| 7 | Larry Page | $129.0 B | 52 | United States | |
| 8 | Steve Ballmer | $128.0 B | 69 | Microsoft | United States |
| 9 | Sergey Brin | $123.6 B | 51 | United States | |
| 10 | Amancio Ortega | $121.0 B | 89 | Zara | Spain |
| 11 | Rob Walton & family | $115.5 B | 80 | Walmart | United States |
| 12 | Jim Walton & family | $114.3 B | 76 | Walmart | United States |
| 13 | Bill Gates | $113.0 B | 69 | Microsoft | United States |
| 14 | Alice Walton | $106.4 B | 75 | Walmart | United States |
| 15 | Michael Bloomberg | $104.7 B | 83 | Bloomberg LP | United States |
| 16 | Mukesh Ambani | $104.3 B | 68 | Diversified | India |
| 17 | Jensen Huang | $102.7 B | 62 | Semiconductors | United States |
| 18 | Michael Dell | $101.9 B | 60 | Dell Technologies | United States |
| 19 | Carlos Slim Helu & family | $91.6 B | 85 | Telecom | Mexico |
| 20 | Francoise Bettencourt Meyers & family | $88.7 B | 71 | L’Oréal | France |
| 21 | Julia Koch & family | $74.2 B | 63 | Koch, Inc. | United States |
| 22 | Charles Koch & family | $67.5 B | 89 | Koch, Inc. | United States |
| 23 | Zhang Yiming | $65.5 B | 41 | TikTok | China |
| 24 | Changpeng Zhao | $63.5 B | 48 | Cryptocurrency exchange | Canada |
| 25 | Gautam Adani | $60.0 B | 62 | Infrastructure, commodities | India |
| 26 | Jeff Yass | $59.0 B | 66 | Trading, investments | United States |
| 27 | Zhong Shanshan | $58.5 B | 70 | Beverages, pharmaceuticals | China |
| 28 | Thomas Peterffy | $55.2 B | 80 | Discount brokerage | United States |
| 29 | Ma Huateng | $52.1 B | 53 | Online games | China |
| 30 | Dieter Schwarz | $48.7 B | 85 | Retail | Germany |
Sectoral Breakdown: Beyond Tech
While technology is a major wealth driver, other sectors also contribute significantly.
- Retail: The Walton family (Rob, Jim, and Alice) derived their wealth from Walmart, with fortunes ranging from $106.4 billion to $115.5 billion. Amancio Ortega of Zara, from Spain, has $121.0 billion. Dieter Schwarz of Germany has $48.7 billion from retail.
- Diversified: Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway ($159.9 billion) and Michael Bloomberg’s Bloomberg LP ($104.7 billion) represent diversified holdings.
- Luxury Goods: Bernard Arnault & family of LVMH, from France, hold $146.3 billion, and Francoise Bettencourt Meyers & family of L’Oréal, also from France, have $88.7 billion.
- Other Notable Sectors: Other sectors represented include telecommunications (Carlos Slim Helu & family, $91.6 billion), cryptocurrency (Changpeng Zhao, $63.5 billion), and trading/investments (Jeff Yass, $59.0 billion).
Demographic Insights:
- Age: The ages of these billionaires range widely, from 40 (Mark Zuckerberg) to 94 (Warren Buffett), demonstrating that wealth accumulation occurs across different generations.
- Gender: Only two women are in the top 30: Francoise Bettencourt Meyers and Julia Koch.
Key Takeaways
- Technology continues to be a primary driver of wealth creation, but traditional sectors like retail and diversified holdings remain significant.
- The United States leads in the number of billionaires, but India and China are emerging as major centers of wealth.
- Wealth is concentrated in the hands of a small group of individuals, raising questions about income inequality and its societal implications.
This data provides a snapshot of the world’s wealthiest individuals in 2025, highlighting the sectors and trends that contribute to their immense fortunes. The concentration of wealth raises important discussions about economic systems, inequality, and the role of billionaires in society.
