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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.
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