The 20 Richest Men in the World In February 2025, the global billionaire list reflects a mix of stability and surprises. While tech, energy, and luxury giants continue to dominate the rankings, the rise of new sectors like advanced artificial intelligence, nuclear fusion, and biotechnology has propelled fresh faces into the top 20. Here’s an overview of the planet’s most colossal fortunes, based on estimates from Forbes and Bloomberg.
The Top 20 Global Fortunes (February 2025)
- Elon Musk (United States) – $289 billion
– CEO of SpaceX, Tesla, and Neuralink. His wealth surged due to SpaceX’s successful lunar missions and Tesla’s breakthroughs in solar batteries.
- Bernard Arnault (France) – $248 billion
– Chairman of LVMH. The luxury sector remains crisis-resistant, fueled by Asian demand and the acquisition of new artisanal brands.
- Jeff Bezos (United States) – $235 billion
– Founder of Amazon and Blue Origin. His investments in space agriculture and eco-friendly data centers are paying off.
- Gautam Adani (India) – $220 billion
– Infrastructure and renewable energy tycoon. India, now the world’s 3rd-largest economy, boosts his solar and port projects.
- Mark Zuckerberg (United States) – $195 billion
– CEO of Meta. The metaverse has finally gained traction in education and healthcare, despite privacy concerns.
- Larry Page (United States) – $182 billion
– Co-founder of Google (Alphabet). His bets on medical robotics and geo-engineering are yielding massive returns.
- Sergey Brin (United States) – $178 billion
– Partner of Page. Heavily investing in hydrogen-powered autonomous vehicles and automated vertical farms.
- Mukesh Ambani (India) – $175 billion
– Head of Reliance Industries. Dominates India’s 6G market and algae-based biofuels.
- Bill Gates (United States) – $168 billion
– Philanthropist and investor. Focused on RNA vaccines for cancer and modular nuclear reactors.
- Steve Ballmer (United States) – $155 billion
– Former Microsoft CEO. His stakes in generative AI and smart stadiums are skyrocketing.
- Larry Ellison (United States) – $150 billion
– Founder of Oracle. Acquired startups specializing in quantum cybersecurity.
- Warren Buffett (United States) – $145 billion**
– CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Despite his age (94), his bets on climate insurance and freshwater resources are thriving.
- Carlos Slim Helú (Mexico) – $140 billion
– Telecom magnate. Benefits from 6G expansion in Latin America.
- Zhong Shanshan (China) – $135 billion
– Founder of Nongfu Spring and Wantai Biological. Leader in health-focused beverages and anti-aging medications.
- Michael Bloomberg (United States) – $130 billion
– Entrepreneur and former NYC mayor. His climate data platform has become essential.
- Zhang Yiming (China) – $128 billion
– Creator of ByteDance (TikTok). Despite geopolitical restrictions, TikTok dominates African and South American markets.
- Françoise Bettencourt Meyers (France) – $125 billion
– L’Oréal heiress. AI-driven personalized cosmetics have reignited the group’s growth.
- Jack Ma (China) – $120 billion
– Founder of Alibaba. Returned to the spotlight with investments in sustainable aquaculture and logistics drones.
- Jensen Huang (United States) – $118 billion
– CEO of NVIDIA. The explosion of quantum chips and emotional AI has made him a new titan.
- Ivan Guo (China) – $115 billion
– Newcomer. Pioneer of compact fusion reactors; his company, Helion China, revolutionized clean energy.
Key Trends of 2025
– Green Tech: Clean energy, biotech, and sustainable AI attract billions.
– Asia’s Rise: 6 Asians in the top 20, up from 4 in 2023.
– Founders’ Comeback: Jack Ma, Larry Page, and Elon Musk prove visionary founders remain essential.
In 2025, wealth is still built on innovation but with heightened awareness of climate and social challenges. While the U.S. maintains dominance, Asia and Europe hold strong through evolving sectors. The question remains: Will these fortunes withstand future technological—or geopolitical—disruptions?
NB: Figures are estimates based on current economic and technological trends. Actual rankings may vary with market shifts.
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