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The 25 Richest People in the World
Who are the richest people in the world?
Most people have a pretty good idea, even if they’re not an entrepreneur or interested in the subject at all, for that matter.
As you’re reading this, you probably already have names popping into your head as to who will appear on the richest list.
Let’s find out in this article, where we list the top 25 richest people in the world as of 2021. These are the game-changers and the people who have helped transform and re-shape the world.
The 25 Richest People in the World
There’s been a huge fluctuation in the net worth of these billionaires in the past year. But, you can find out more about that below!
The stats given here in regards to net worth have come from Forbes directly. These are the top 25 richest people in the world in 2021:
25. Charles Koch
Net Worth: $44.9 Billion
Charles Koch is an American businessman and philanthropist.
Koch is the co-owner and CEO of Koch industries. Koch Industries now includes process and pollution control equipment and technologies; polymers and fibers; minerals; fertilizers; commodity trading and services; forest and consumer products; and ranching.
Koch made this year’s list of the richest people, and with an impressive net worth of $44.9 billion!
24. Phil Knight
Net Worth: $45.5 Billion
Phil Knight is an American business magnate and philanthropist. Knight co-founded Nike Inc and currently serves as chairman of the company. We’re all aware of who Nike is, even when we’re only shown the logo.
As of 2021, Phil Knight’s net worth is estimated to be $45.5 billion, making him the 24th richest person globally.
23. Daniel Gilbert
Net Worth: $47.6 Billion
Daniel Gilbert is an American businessman, investor, and philanthropist. Gilbert is the cofounder of Quicken Loans and also the founder of Rock Ventures. He also owns the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers team.
As of 2021, Daniel Gilbert’s net worth is estimated to be $47.6 billion.
22. Jack Ma
Net Worth: $50.3 Billion
Jack Ma is the founder of Alibaba, and although he’s been one of the richest people in Asia for several years, he’s only just made it onto the list of the richest people in the world this year.
Jack was rejected from multiple jobs, including KFC, when it was first introduced to China. Today, Jack Ma’s net worth is estimated to be $50.3 billion, which put him 4 spots lower on the list this year, at 22nd.
“A leader should have higher grit and tenacity, and be able to endure what the employees can’t.” – Jack Ma
21. Carlos Slim Helu
Net Worth: $52.1 Billion
Carlos Slim Helu is a Mexican businessman and investor, owner of the conglomerate ‘Grupo Carso.’ The conglomerate’s portfolio consists of brands in many different industries, such as health care, media, energy, real estate, and retail.
Carlos is 21st on this list of the richest people in the world, with a net worth of $51.2 billion. His net worth has recently taken a huge hit by about $13 billion, dropping him nine places on the list.
20. Zhong Shanshan
Net Worth: $52.8 Billion
Zhong Shanshan is the chairman of the Chinese water-beverage company, Nongfu Spring. The recent jump in the company’s stock price has launched Shanshan onto this list.
As of 2021, Zhong Shanshan’s net worth is estimated to be $52.8 billion.
19. Michael Bloomberg
Net Worth: $54.9 Billion
Michael Bloomberg is an American entrepreneur and politician. Bloomberg is the founder and CEO of Bloomberg L.P, the financial data, and media company. Bloomberg is now 74 years old and one of the richest people in the world.
Michael Bloomberg added another $14 billion to his net worth earlier this year, which caused him to move up to 11th on this list.
However, he’s one of the only individuals on this list whose net worth hasn’t increased in Q2 and Q3 of 2021, which has pushed him down to 19th.
As of 2021, Michael Bloomberg’s net worth is now estimated at $54.9 billion.
18. Ma Huateng
Net Worth: $57.3 Billion
Ma Huateng is a Chinese business magnate, investor, philanthropist, engineer, internet, and technology entrepreneur. He’s also the founder of Tencent, which is the most valuable company in Asia.
Huateng is another of the richest in Asia, who made it on this list for the first time last year, and now appears 18th with an estimated net worth of $57.3 billion in 2021.
17. MacKenzie Bezos
Net Worth: $59 Billion
MacKenzie Bezos is an American novelist and philanthropist. She was the wife of Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon. After their divorce, MacKenzie received a 4% stake in Amazon, which was worth about $35 billion at the time.
As of 2021, MacKenzie Bezos’ net worth is estimated to be $59 billion.
16. S. Robson Walton
Net Worth: $63.9 Billion
Rob Walton is the eldest son of Sam Walton and served as the chairman for Walmart, after his father’s death, up until 2015.
Furthermore, he briefly surpassed his brother Jim recently on this list of the world’s richest people. However, he’s now fallen back to his original spot.
15. Jim Walton
Net Worth: $64.2 Billion
Jim Walton is the son of Sam Walton, the founder of the world’s largest retail chain, ‘Walmart.’ He is on the Walmart board of directors and CEO of his own company, Arvest Bank.
In 2021, Jim Walton’s net worth is $64.2 billion.
14. Alice Walton
Net Worth: $64.5 Billion
Alice Walton is the daughter of Sam Walton and heiress to the Walmart fortune. She founded the Llama Company in 1988, but it has since closed down.
Today, Alice Walton’s net worth is estimated to be $64.5 billion, making her the 14th richest person in the world and the 2nd richest woman in the world.
“I know the price of lettuce. You need to understand price and value. You buy the best lettuce you can at the best price you can.” – Alice Walton
13. Amancio Ortega
Net Worth: $65.9 Billion
Amancio Ortega is a Spanish entrepreneur and founder of the Inditex fashion group. Inditex owns Zara, and Zara is one of the most popular clothing chains worldwide.
Ortega was once the 5th richest man in the world; however, he’s recently lost almost $20 billion of it, or 25%, which is one of the most significant losses in 2021 thus far.
As of 2021, Amancio Ortega’s net worth is estimated to be $65.9 billion.
12. Sergey Brin
Net Worth: $66 Billion
Sergey Brin and Larry Page co-founded Google back in 1998 in just a small, simple garage. The duo has taken Google to the top, putting Sergey Brin a couple of spots behind Page in this list of the richest people worldwide.
As of 2021, Sergey Brin’s net worth is roughly $66 billion.
11. Francoise Bettencourt Meyers
Net Worth: $66.3 Billion
Francoise Bettencourt Meyers became the reigning L’Oreal heiress when her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, passed away in 2017. She now runs the holding company as chairwoman, with her family owning 33% of L’Oreal.
As of 2021, Francoise Bettencourt Meyers’ net worth is estimated to be $66.3 billion, making her the richest woman in the world.
10. Larry Page
Net Worth: $67.9 Billion
Larry Page is the co-founder of Google, which was founded back in a garage in 1998.
No doubt, Google has become the most successful search engine in the world, and the company has gone on to make various acquisitions such as YouTube. Google’s success has made Larry Page one of the richest people in the world.
9. Steve Ballmer
Net Worth: $70.1 Billion
Steve Ballmer is the current owner of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers, and he is also the former CEO of Microsoft.
As of 2021, Steve Ballmer’s net worth is estimated at $70.1 billion, making him the 9th richest person in the world.
8. Larry Ellison
Net Worth: $74.9 Billion
Larry Ellison is the co-founder of the Oracle Corporation, and he was also the company’s CEO until September 2014.
Over the years, Oracle has become an incredibly successful tech company, now being 39 years old and employing over 136,000 people.
Larry Ellison is 8th on this list of the richest people in the world, with a net worth of $74.9 billion.
7. Elon Musk
Net Worth: $79.4 Billion
Elon Reeve Musk FRS is a South-African born, Canadian/American engineer, industrial designer, and tech entrepreneur. If you’re excited about the future of the world, you’ll probably have seen Musk everywhere.
Musk founded PayPal and is also the founder of Tesla, Space-X, The Boring Company, and Neuralink.
As of 2021, Elon Musk’s net worth is estimated to be $79.4 billion, which means his net worth has more than doubled this year, after a ridiculous jump in Tesla stock prices between April and August.
Musk began the year as the 24th richest person worldwide, and he’s now 7th.
6. Warren Buffett
Net Worth: $82.3 Billion
Warren Buffett is an American entrepreneur and investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Buffett is the most successful investor worldwide, and millions of other traders look up to him because of his success.
Warren Buffett is the 6th richest man globally, with an incredible net worth of $82.3 billion. However, despite this fact, Buffett still lives in the home he purchased back when he didn’t even know what a billion dollars looked like.
What a humble guy!
“I will tell you how to become rich. Close the doors. Be fearful when others are greedy. Be greedy when others are fearful.” – Warren Buffett
5. Mukesh Ambani
Net Worth: $88.9 Billion
Mukesh Ambani is an Indian business magnate, currently chairman, managing director, and largest shareholder of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL).
Ambani has been the richest man in Asia for a while now, and this year, he’s moving up on the list of the richest worldwide!
As of 2021, Mukesh Ambani’s net worth is $88.9 billion.
“Today I see a billion people as a billion potential consumers, an opportunity to generate value for them and to make a return for myself” – Mukesh Ambani
4. Mark Zuckerberg
Net Worth: $98 Billion
We all know Mark Zuckerberg as the founder of Facebook. Facebook has become the most popular and most valuable social media company in the world. And it all started in Mark’s dorm room at Harvard University.
Mark Zuckerberg has regained the significant net worth loss he suffered after the Cambridge Analytica data scandal and various other issues causing the Facebook stock prices to fall.
Mark Zuckerberg is now the 4th richest man in the world, with an estimated net worth of $98 billion.
“When you give everyone a voice and give people power, the system usually ends up in a really good place. So, what we view our role as, is giving people that power.” – Mark Zuckerberg
3. Bill Gates
Net Worth: $115 Billion
Bill Gates is the founder of Microsoft and was the richest man globally for several years running.
Gates founded Microsoft in 1975 with Paul Allen and has since become the largest PC software company worldwide.
Gates’ net worth has been pretty stagnant since he reached the $100 billion mark. He’s now dropped another place to be the 3rd richest man in the world.
As of 2021, Bill Gates’ net worth is estimated to be $115 billion.
“Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.” – Bill Gates
2. Bernard Arnault
Net Worth: $119.4 Billion
Bernard Arnault is the CEO of LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessey).
Ultimately, the company was formed by merging the two businesses. Louis Vuitton is a very successful luxury fashion brand, and Moet Hennessey is the merged champagne and cognac manufacturers.
Bernard has been making serious movements up this list in the past year. In fact, at the beginning of 2017, he was at 14th. Now, almost 4 years later, he’s placed at 2nd on the list of the 25 richest people on earth in 2021.
1. Jeff Bezos
Net Worth: $183.8 Billion
Jeff Bezos is the founder of Amazon, one of the biggest and most popular companies on the web. Amazon started as a simple online bookstore in Jeff’s bedroom, and the initial sales were slow.
In 2021, Jeff Bezos has become the richest man in the world, after adding a whopping $40 billion to his net worth the last couple of years! After recently acquiring Wholefoods, Amazon is making major moves, launching drone shipping, and a bunch of other strong ideas.
Bezos recently divorced his wife MacKenzie, after which she received 4% of Amazon, which is worth billions, yet it still hasn’t knocked him off the top spot.
Jeff Bezos is the first man ever to reach not just the $100 billion mark, but briefly the $200 billion mark, which is just insane. Many believe he’ll become the world’s first trillionaire.
Keep reading below to view a complete summary of the richest people in 2021.
“There are two kinds of companies, those that work to try to charge more, and those that work to charge less. We will be the second.”
Summary
Finally, Here’s a quick recap of the top 25 richest people in the world in 2021:
- Jeff Bezos
- Bernard Arnault
- Bill Gates
- Mark Zuckerberg
- Mukesh Ambani
- Warren Buffett
- Elon Musk
- Larry Ellison
- Steve Ballmer
- Larry Page
- Francoise Bettencourt Meyers
- Sergey Brin
- Amancio Ortega
- Alice Walton
- Jim Walton
- S. Robson Walton
- MacKenzie Bezos
- Ma Huateng
- Michael Bloomberg
- Zhong Shanshan
- Carlos Slim Helu
- Jack Ma
- Daniel Gilbert
- Phil Knight
- Charles Koch
Jeff Bezos’ reign as the richest man in the world continues.
Seth
Oct 18, 2016 at 5:13 am
Awesome list! There were a lot of people that I didn’t know about. The quotes were great!
Supriya Dwivedi
Oct 10, 2019 at 7:40 pm
I agree with you
Yoc
Dec 24, 2019 at 8:08 pm
No one should be allowed to own that much money they have way too much power
stefan
Mar 6, 2017 at 10:02 am
tbh i expected carlos slim helu to be no.1
Akintayo olasaunkanmi
Mar 31, 2017 at 3:56 pm
Pls i nid some1 to help me on my business. may god grant u longlife wit gud health
Jérémy Franck
Mar 2, 2018 at 3:59 pm
Hey I can help generate more money for your business.
The way I would go about this is conduct a free audit, then come back to you with solutions you can implement quickly to multiply your revenue.
Hit me up on Telegram, my handle is @jrmyfranck
Elvis Ikegbidi
Apr 8, 2017 at 7:36 pm
I Shall Be Among The Richest Men That Will Rule The World
Jaydon Renes
May 10, 2017 at 8:09 pm
Imagine if Pewdiepie was in there xD
SUDIP DAS
May 13, 2017 at 5:13 pm
I want to be richest person to very quickly.
I am a powerful money magnet
I am a multi multi Billionaire
I am financially abundant and money comes to me naturally.
Money is following to me like a river
bill gates I love you I am a big big divotee.
Please bill gates bleesing and fulfilling my dreams
Solomon Akosah
May 18, 2017 at 1:35 pm
I am struggling to pay my school fees but others have been blessed with a lot of money and properties. Oh God ! , answer my prayers for these rich men help me .
Charles Fredericks
Nov 21, 2019 at 6:19 am
God has answered
Tauseef
May 28, 2017 at 12:06 pm
If lika shing is 2nd richest in aisa and is 19th richest in world, don’t you think richest man in aisa should the 19th richest in place of lika shing.. Just a thought.
cincin
Jul 6, 2017 at 3:24 am
Haha.. the richest man in asia is on #18… Wang is listed in front of Li….xD
Pikas
May 28, 2017 at 3:40 pm
Name what bill gates can’t buy
bashy
Jun 26, 2017 at 10:20 pm
Peace, long life, trianquility and sound health.
Ransford Tham-Mbiah
Jul 25, 2017 at 10:59 pm
Air,it can move away from him anytime,and he can never call it back.
Rey Schulz
Aug 1, 2017 at 11:44 pm
Morals, compassion, honesty,love and a willingness to help others. The things you can’t buy with money are far more valuable then anything money can buy. J/S God Bless
Kaio Slvar
Sep 24, 2018 at 11:17 am
Bezos’s wife and children
Patricia
Jan 17, 2019 at 5:06 pm
very true,there are things that money can never buy!!!
White
Aug 6, 2019 at 5:14 pm
Joy happiness and rest of mind
Ingenue destiny
May 29, 2017 at 2:06 pm
I have business idea and taken many risk in business. But know enough capital to carry on.
juju
Jun 9, 2017 at 5:50 am
i thought jack ma would be there
cincin
Jul 6, 2017 at 3:27 am
Jack is #3 richest in asia behind Wang and Li… he should be within 30~ on the world list
Dan Western
Jul 7, 2017 at 10:22 am
Jack Ma is number #23 in the world, which is why you won’t find him on this list.
Naud
Nov 15, 2018 at 11:57 am
He’s at nr 16. Maybe they updated the list.
afam
Jun 11, 2017 at 8:10 am
Bill gate is a money magnet, I pray God will take this far in life becoming one of the 1000 richest men in the world
efemdesolution
Jun 20, 2017 at 5:49 pm
Comment: is it true that they are richest people, I know that their are some people that reach, but kept silent simply because the empty vessel makes noise, the one with water doesn’t make noise
but I like to be one of them.
anjali
Jun 28, 2017 at 8:08 pm
I also want to be one of them.
prince boakye boateng
Jul 5, 2017 at 10:46 pm
I know this people to a risk in life to get whatever they have now. There are remodels we she look after and do same. Its my prayer I meet one of this people for them to imput thier knowlgde in me to become like them. Whatever they have today, they struggled and I want to be a risk taker like them
luckysmart
Jul 6, 2017 at 11:31 am
i want to be counted among the billionaires
Busari Idris Olawale
Jul 16, 2017 at 6:10 pm
All i need is philanthropist who would empower me with my my business
francis otoo
Jul 18, 2017 at 11:24 am
i need money to start my business and help the needy.
Asiya Aliyu
Jul 27, 2017 at 6:34 pm
I am the richest person in the world because I’m content with what I have. I do not have much, in fact it may be laughable to someone but I tell you I feel I’m richer than Bill Gates and Warren Buffet.
Andrija
Jul 27, 2017 at 9:31 pm
No.1 is Jeff Bezos not Bill Gates
Dan Western
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:08 am
Nope, Bill Gates is still the richest man in the world!
Videzh
Jul 28, 2017 at 11:27 am
Well, hope that there is nothings wrong for being rich or poor. Suppose if all the peoples of this world becomes equally rich or poor, then will not the world stop functions its basic regular courses. That’s why doesn’t the rich one are just being rich for the poors and the poors are just being poor for the riches. Where else there could be who is being rich or poor for themselves alone, don’t they needs each other to create things either good or bad just as the positive and negative current needs each other to produce either useful or harmful effects, therefore isn’t that they seem like to have an equal weight if the poor and the rich one are to be weighed on a pairs of a balanced scales.
fleafe
Jul 28, 2017 at 11:35 pm
the richest soul winner in the world
Leke sonde
Aug 2, 2017 at 6:14 pm
Some are extremely wealthy while some are extremely poor, what are the rich people doing special that others ain’t doing? I wonder.
Ivan
Jan 23, 2018 at 5:26 am
Not trying to argue with you or anything but why do you think they have the obligation to help the poor?
ejim daniel c
Aug 3, 2017 at 7:37 pm
Bill gates my mentor and an icon to me
Frank
Sep 20, 2017 at 1:24 pm
Jeff Bezos is the richest in, I think he is my role model wish I had money…
Sanjay
Nov 13, 2017 at 3:54 pm
Bill gates is richest man in the world
Shavez
Oct 22, 2017 at 12:17 am
Where is mukesh amabani
Bitopan Barman
Mar 15, 2018 at 2:09 pm
he’s from India, he became the 20 th ranked businessmen in the world.
Jaberill
Nov 3, 2017 at 2:31 am
Great read! Very inspiring to say the least. Anything is possible. If we all put in the work and aspire to one day be an additional helping hand to the world, I don’t see why we won’t be able to do it. Probably not top 20, but a life of abundance and fulfillment.
Emmanuel Akok
Nov 7, 2017 at 3:30 pm
Thanks for letting me know the rich guys .
God is the giver of whatever we have today so let us not forget to thank God.
Remember to help the needy like me who is struggling to earn a living . God bless us all whether the rich or poor.
Dave Avery
Dec 15, 2017 at 12:36 am
Make Money, Save Money, Invest Money—Repeat. That is the formula for creating wealth.
michael
May 8, 2018 at 4:00 pm
wealth on earth maybe….
Manuel Cordenillo
Jan 10, 2018 at 1:45 pm
God bless all multi-billioners in the world with divine light, love and power! More blessings of financial prosperity and spirituality, with goodwill and the will to do good!
Ani Ejike
Jan 26, 2018 at 6:40 pm
I pray that God will open up their heart to give, I know some are giving, they should never get tired. God gave some people riches so that they can bless others. Many of us need empowerment. I wish they will help
michael
May 8, 2018 at 4:01 pm
So true……they are so blinded by the money they forget why they were blessed with it……
danish kamal
May 14, 2018 at 7:40 pm
Mukesh ambani is great person
Lucky Cyprian Nziza
May 23, 2018 at 11:44 am
I dreamed to appear on this list no matter how I always fail, but I am inspired by this men that good to fail big and discover the reason for your failure.Only few and very few decades i gonna be on this list and don’t forget to push young ambitious guys like us forward.Together we can
bob diget
Jun 1, 2018 at 4:26 pm
Putin is number 1
raj
Jun 12, 2018 at 5:58 am
What is the profession of jeff bezos?
Vacoxudag
Jul 18, 2018 at 6:54 pm
CEO of Amazon.
Alex
Jul 23, 2018 at 7:37 am
Carlos Slim Helu has dropped bigtime. So the space now is dominated by Tech.
Alex
Jul 26, 2018 at 6:17 am
its easy to beat all of these guys! all you need is a time machine 🙂
Mr. Neenad Parulekar
Jul 26, 2018 at 7:48 am
Most of these people came up on the horizon of the wealth due to the hard work, wisdom and their farsightedness; further, they are blessed with the Goddess of wealth. most of them are kind and large hearted, peace lovers and generous. So we must respect them and delight our self open heartedly in their pleasure. The “Universal power” will automatically bless upon us. It is a Law of the Universe.
larence
Jan 21, 2019 at 10:52 pm
Just a minor correction: Bezos was not the first person to hit $100 billion in net worth. That honor belongs to Bill Gates back in 1999. He’s just chosen to give a lot of that away.
Asad Meah
Apr 4, 2019 at 1:40 pm
Great list, thanks for sharing.
Ayodola
Jul 2, 2019 at 7:06 pm
To start with, this is touching and I will say what I have seen in this website, it’s gonna give people good vibes and spur them up. if you ask me who I believed will be the richest man? I’ll say “elon musk” but am happy to see the current list above too and I pray those who wish to get there will get there.
Money maker
Sep 6, 2019 at 12:16 am
Why didn’t i see trump the president being counted as a rich man.. ???
Santosh
Oct 15, 2019 at 12:19 pm
“Today I see a billion people as a billion potential consumers, an opportunity to generate value for them and to make a return for myself”
Eci Erianti
Oct 23, 2019 at 12:14 am
The rich get richer??
Gardner
Dec 4, 2019 at 2:50 am
I’m thankful for a home and car that’s paid for, a pantry that is full, a pension that I can live on, and affordable health insurance.
And I am thankful to have another day to repent from my wicked ways.
Kumar
Dec 12, 2019 at 12:20 am
The richest person is the one who knows the truth and what we take with us after we die.
Thanya Brito
Feb 27, 2020 at 6:53 am
Thought Donald Trump would be there among the other rich people
MAN UNITED
Nov 14, 2020 at 5:52 pm
I want to be like Elon Musk and Drive Tesla.
Bobby Digital
Nov 27, 2020 at 6:36 am
I going to say that the first trillionaire will be coming out soon. I bet the same person will be more than generous with his brothers and sisters. And not for a tax break!