Forbes magazine releases its annual World’s Billionaires List every March, ranking the world’s wealthiest billionaires based on their recorded net worth. However, Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires rankings tracks the daily ups and downs of the world’s richest people. The wealth-tracking platform provides ongoing updates on the net worth and ranking of each individual confirmed by Forbes to be a billionaire.
The world's billionaires are getting richer. The latest Forbes Real-Time Billionaires rankings show that the total net worth of the world's billionaires has increased by $2.3 trillion since March 2022. This is despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
These billionaires have made their fortunes in a variety of industries, including technology, retail, finance, and manufacturing. They have used their wealth to invest in businesses, real estate, and philanthropy.
Here are the top 10 billionaires in the world as of 2023, along with their net worth.
The top 10 billionaires in the world are all worth more than $100 billion each. The richest person in the world is Bernard Arnault, the chairman and CEO of LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton, the world's largest luxury goods company. Arnault's net worth is estimated to be $234.9 billion.
The second richest person in the world is Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. Musk's net worth is estimated to be $175.5 billion. The third richest person in the world is Jeff Bezos, the founder and CEO of Amazon. Bezos' net worth is estimated to be $132.6 billion.
Here are the top 10 billionaires in the world as of 2023, along with their net worth.
Bernard Arnault is a French businessman and chairman of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE, the world's largest luxury goods company. With a net worth of $236.7 billion, he has overtaken Elon Musk to become the world’s richest person in 2023. Arnault’s net worth increased by $110 billion in the past year, due to the strong performance of LVMH shares.
Arnault has been expanding LVMH’s luxury empire in recent years with significant acquisitions. In 2021, LVMH took control over the biggest luxury brand, American jeweller Tiffany & Co, for $15.8 billion, which was the biggest brand acquisition ever. This acquisition will help LVMH to grow its presence in the US luxury market. LVMH also acquired the high-end hotel and restaurant company, Belmond, for $3.2 billion in 2019.
Belmond operates 46 hotels, river cruises, and trains in 24 countries and is known for its luxurious accommodations and experiences. Arnault's father was able to build a small construction business, and Arnault took $15 million from his business to purchase Christian Dior in 1985. Since then, he has built a fashion and luxury goods empire, which includes over 70 brands. Arnault is also known for his philanthropy. In 2019, he pledged $224 million to help rebuild Notre Dame Cathedral after it was damaged in a fire. He has also donated to various other causes, including education and healthcare.
Arnault's success is largely due to his business acumen and ability to identify valuable assets. LVMH has continued to perform well, even during the pandemic. In 2020, the company's revenue was €44.7 billion, a 16% decrease from the previous year, but its net profit was €4.7 billion, a 34% increase from the previous year. LVMH's shares have also performed well, increasing by more than 100% in the past year.
With Arnault's net worth continuing to rise, he has become one of the most influential people in the world. He has been recognized by various organizations and has received numerous awards for his contributions to business and philanthropy.
His net worth of $234.9 billion places him at the First position in the Forbes real-time billionaires list.
Elon Musk is a South African-born American entrepreneur, businessman, and inventor. He is the CEO and founder of SpaceX and co-founder and CEO of Tesla, among other ventures. Musk's net worth has surged by $84.5 billion since 2022, driven by the skyrocketing value of Tesla shares.
Elon Musk is a visionary entrepreneur who has made his mark in several industries with his innovative and disruptive ideas. He is known for his ambitious goals and futuristic plans that aim to push the boundaries of what is possible.
Musk's biggest claim to fame is as the founder and CEO of Tesla, the electric carmaker that has transformed the automotive industry. He owns about 25% of Tesla's stock and options and has been instrumental in driving the company's growth.
In 2022, Tesla's market cap crossed the $1 trillion mark, making it one of the most valuable companies in the world. Musk's net worth has surged by $84.5 billion since 2022, driven by the skyrocketing value of Tesla shares.
Musk is also the founder of SpaceX, a rocket producer company founded in 2002. SpaceX has made history by becoming the first private company to send astronauts to space and dock with the International Space Station.
In addition, SpaceX has also been working on its Starship rocket, which aims to make space travel more affordable and accessible for the masses. The company is also working on the Starlink project, which aims to provide high-speed internet access to remote areas.
Apart from Tesla and SpaceX, Musk is also involved in several other ventures. He co-founded the Boring Company, a tunneling startup that aims to revolutionize transportation by creating underground tunnels for high-speed travel.
In addition, he is also involved in OpenAI, a research company that aims to develop artificial intelligence in a safe and ethical manner. He has also been vocal about his concerns regarding the risks of AI and the need to regulate its development.
Elon Musk's contributions to the tech industry have made him a household name and a symbol of innovation and entrepreneurship.
His net worth of $175.5 billion places him at the second position in the Forbes real-time billionaires list.
Jeff Bezos is an American entrepreneur, businessman, and the founder of Amazon, the world's largest online retailer. He held the title of world’s richest person for three years before being surpassed by Elon Musk in 2022. Despite his divorce settlement of $38 billion, Bezos’ net worth has increased by $14.5 billion since last year.
Net Worth and Philanthropy
Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, has a net worth of $1328.6 billion, according to Forbes' real-time billionaires list. However, in 2021, he stepped down as the CEO of Amazon, handing over the reins to Andy Jassy, the former CEO of Amazon Web Services.
In addition to his business ventures, Bezos is known for his philanthropic efforts. In 2018, he launched the Bezos Day One Fund, a $2 billion commitment to help homeless families and create a network of non-profit preschools. In 2020, he donated $100 million to Feeding America, a non-profit organization that helps feed people in need.
Blue Origin
Bezos owns a space exploration company named Blue Origin. In July 2021, Bezos himself went to space with Blue Origin's first crewed mission, along with his brother Mark Bezos, Wally Funk, and Oliver Daemen. The mission lasted approximately 10 minutes, and it was considered a significant milestone in the development of space tourism.
Other Ventures
In addition to Amazon and Blue Origin, Bezos owns the Washington Post, which he acquired in 2013. Bezos is also an investor in various other businesses, including Airbnb, Uber, and Twitter.
Worker Treatment
During the coronavirus pandemic, Amazon faced scrutiny over its treatment of warehouse workers. In 2021, the company agreed to pay $61.7 million to settle allegations of withholding tips from its delivery drivers.
Also Read: A Business Strategy According To Jeff Bezos
Forbes Rankings
Jeff Bezos comes in third on Forbes' real-time billionaires list. However, in 2021, he occupied the top position in the Forbes 400 real-time billionaires list.
Larry Ellison is an American businessman and co-founder of Oracle Corporation, one of the world's largest software companies. He is known for his lavish lifestyle and philanthropy. Ellison's net worth has increased by $18.3 billion since 2022, driven by the strong performance of Oracle shares.
Larry Ellison was born on August 17, 1944, in New York City. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign but dropped out before graduating. In 1977, he co-founded Software Development Laboratories, which later became Oracle Corporation. Ellison has been married and divorced four times and has two children. He is known for his extravagant lifestyle and owns multiple homes, yachts, and airplanes. Ellison is also a philanthropist and has donated millions of dollars to various causes, including medical research and education.
Philanthropy: Larry Ellison has donated millions of dollars to various philanthropic causes. In 2018, he announced a $1 billion donation to his charitable foundation, which focuses on environmental and medical research.
In 2020, Ellison donated $100 million to support COVID-19 research efforts. He also donated $200 million to establish the Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine of USC, which aims to advance cancer research and treatment.
Lifestyle: Ellison is known for his extravagant lifestyle and has spent millions on properties and yachts. In addition to owning the Hawaiian island of Lanai, he also owns several other properties, including a home in Malibu and a mansion in Woodside, California.
In 2020, Ellison purchased the historic Astor's Beechwood Mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, for $8.2 million. He plans to renovate the property and use it as a museum for his collection of 18th-century French art.
Career: Ellison co-founded Oracle Corporation in 1977 and served as the company's CEO until 2014. Under his leadership, Oracle became one of the largest software companies in the world, with a focus on database software.
In addition to his role at Oracle, Ellison serves on the board of Tesla and has invested in several other companies, including NetSuite and Salesforce.
Larry Ellison's net worth of $121.0 billion puts him at the fourth position on the Forbes real-time billionaires list as of May 2023.
Bill Gates is an American entrepreneur, businessman, and co-founder of Microsoft Corporation, the world's largest software maker. Gates has been one of the world’s richest people for decades and is known for his philanthropic efforts. Gates’ net worth has increased by $7.5 billion since last year.
Ownership and Philanthropy Gates co-founded Microsoft with Paul Allen in 1975 and owns only 1% of the software company's shares as of March 2020. He, along with his ex-wife Melinda, co-owns the charitable Gates Foundation. Gates has transferred at least $5.7 billion of public company shares to his ex-wife Melinda. He has been donating to the Gates Foundation since 1994 and has donated over $57 billion, including a gift worth $20 billion announced in July 2022.
Investments Bill Gates has invested in various companies, including Canadian National Railway and AutoNation. He is also the largest owner of farmland in the United States.
Latest Developments In May 2021, Bill Gates announced that he and his wife Melinda were getting divorced after 27 years of marriage. They continue to co-chair the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
In October 2021, Gates' investment firm, Cascade Investment LLC, announced its plans to acquire a majority stake in Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts for $2.2 billion.
In April 2022, Gates announced the creation of a new company called Breakthrough Energy Solutions, which will focus on investing in technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In May 2022, it was reported that Gates had purchased a 23,000-square-foot mansion in the exclusive Florida enclave of Indian Creek Island for $43 million.
Current Position on the List Bill Gates holds the fifth rank in the real-time billionaires' list (2023).
Warren Buffett is an American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. He is the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, one of the world's largest holding companies. Buffett's net worth has increased by $5.1 billion since 2022, driven by the strong performance of Berkshire Hathaway shares.
Career and Investments: Warren is referred to as the "Oracle of Omaha," and one of the most prosperous investors. Buffett runs Berkshire Hathaway, which owns 60 companies or more, including Dairy Queen (restaurant chain), Geico (insurer), and Duracell (battery maker). Buffett bought his first stock at age 11 and started filing taxes at 13 as a U.S. congressman's son.
Philanthropy: Buffett aims to contribute 99% of his wealth. He has donated more than $45 billion to his kids and the Gates Foundation. Warren and Bill Gates established the Giving Pledge, requesting the world's billionaires to donate at least half of their funds to charitable organizations in 2010.
Warren Buffett's net worth of $112.4 billion puts him at the sixth position on the Forbes real-time billionaires list as of May 2023.
Larry Page is an American computer scientist and entrepreneur. He is the co-founder of Google, one of the world's largest technology companies. Page's net worth has increased by $8.5 billion since 2022.
Page co-founded Google in 1998 with Sergey Brin while they were Ph.D. students at Stanford University. Google has since become a global technology giant, offering a wide range of services, including its search engine, YouTube, Android operating system, and Google Maps.
In 2015, Page stepped down as the CEO of Google's parent company, Alphabet Inc. and was replaced by Sundar Pichai. However, Page remains a board member and controlling shareholder of Alphabet. He also serves as the CEO of Alphabet's autonomous car project, Waymo.
Aside from his work with Google, Page has been involved in several philanthropic ventures. In 2015, he launched the Page Family Foundation with his wife, which supports initiatives in science and technology, global health, and education. In 2021, the couple donated $100 million to fund pandemic relief efforts, particularly in India.
Warren Buffett's net worth of $99.6 billion puts him at the seventh position on the Forbes real-time billionaires list as of May 2023.
Carlos Slim Helu is a Mexican businessman and investor. He is the chairman and CEO of Grupo Carso, a conglomerate of companies in the telecom, finance, and healthcare industries. Slim's net worth has increased by $5.3 billion since 2022.
Carlos Slim is considered the richest man in Mexico and one of the wealthiest people in the world. He has been involved in various philanthropic activities and has donated large sums of money to education, health, and cultural institutions.
Grupo Carso has holdings in various industries, including telecommunications, construction, mining, energy, and retail. In recent years, Slim has been diversifying his investments beyond Mexico, with a focus on Latin America and the United States.
Slim is also a major shareholder in America Movil, one of the largest mobile network operators in Latin America. In 2021, America Movil reported a net profit of $2.5 billion, up from $1.7 billion the previous year.
Slim has been vocal about his support for free trade and economic liberalization in Mexico. He has been critical of government policies that he sees as hindering economic growth and has advocated for greater private sector involvement in infrastructure projects.
In addition to his business ventures, Slim is known for his art collection, which includes works by famous artists such as Rodin, Dali, and Picasso. He also owns a stake in the New York Times Company and has been involved in the newspaper's business operations.
Carlos Slim Helu & family's net worth of $99.4 billion puts him at the 8th position on the Forbes real-time billionaires list as of May 2023.
Steve Ballmer is an American businessman and investor who is best known for his role as the CEO of Microsoft from 2000 to 2014. He currently has a net worth of $87.8 billion, making him the 9th richest person in the world according to Forbes' Real-Time Billionaires rankings.
During his time as CEO of Microsoft, Ballmer oversaw a period of significant growth for the company. He played a key role in the development and launch of a number of important products, including Windows XP, the Xbox gaming console, and the Bing search engine.
Since stepping down as CEO of Microsoft, Ballmer has remained active in the business world. He is the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team and has invested in a number of other companies, including Twitter and Airbnb.
In addition to his business activities, Ballmer is also involved in a number of philanthropic efforts. He and his wife Connie have donated millions of dollars to support health and education initiatives, including the Seattle Children's Hospital and the University of Oregon.
Despite his success, Ballmer has faced criticism for his leadership style and his handling of Microsoft's mobile strategy. However, he remains one of the most influential and respected figures in the technology industry.
Steve Ballmer's net worth of $95.8 billion puts him at the 9th position on the Forbes real-time billionaires list as of May 2023.
Sergey Brin is an American computer scientist and entrepreneur. He is the co-founder of Google, one of the world's largest technology companies. Brin's net worth is $95.3 billion as of May 2023, making him the 10th richest person in the world.
Brin and Larry Page co-founded Google in 1998 while they were Ph.D. students at Stanford University. Brin served as the president of Google's parent company, Alphabet Inc., until stepping down in December 2019. He continues to serve as a board member of Alphabet.
In addition to his work at Google, Brin has also been involved in various philanthropic and scientific endeavors. He co-founded the Brin Wojcicki Foundation with his ex-wife Anne Wojcicki, which focuses on funding research into health, education, and environmental issues. He has also been involved in projects such as the Google X lab, which aims to develop new technologies to address global challenges.
Sergey Brin's net worth of $95.3 billion puts him at the 10th position on the Forbes real-time billionaires list as of May 2023.
Here are some latest facts about the world's billionaires:
The number of billionaires in the world has increased by 8% since March 2022.
The total net worth of the world's billionaires has increased by $2.3 trillion since March 2022.
The top 10 billionaires in the world are all worth more than $100 billion each.
The richest person in the world is Bernard Arnault, the chairman and CEO of LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton.
The second richest person in the world is Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX.
The third richest person in the world is Jeff Bezos, the founder and CEO of Amazon.
The world's billionaires have a responsibility to use their wealth to help others. They can invest in businesses that create jobs and opportunity, and they can donate to charities that help the poor and the disadvantaged.
The world's billionaires also have a responsibility to use their wealth to address the world's biggest challenges, such as climate change and poverty. They can invest in research and development, and they can donate to organizations that are working to solve these problems.
The world's billionaires have a unique opportunity to make a difference in the world. They can use their wealth to help others and to make the world a better place.
Conclusion
The Forbes Real-Time Billionaires rankings are a snapshot of the world's wealth. They show that the gap between the rich and the poor is widening. The richest 1% of the world's population now owns more than half of the world's wealth. This inequality is a major challenge for the world. These billionaires have made their fortunes in a variety of industries, including technology, retail, finance, and manufacturing. They have used their wealth to invest in businesses, real estate, and philanthropy.