The richest people in the world: how these billionaires made their money
From Elon Musk to Warren Buffett, here's how some of the richest people in the world made their millions...
Words: India Gladstone
We’d all like to be rich. It’s a simple truth, a common fantasy — and something we all strive to achieve. And, whilst we all know that you can’t put a price on the most important things in life (health, relationships, family, integrity), the lifestyle lived by the world’s billionaires is one that continues to amaze and allure.
Of course, there is a clear divide in the world between those who have amassed their own fortunes (the ‘self-made men’) versus those who were born into dynasties and already-rich families. But still; money is money. Below, we’ve explored how some of the richest people in the world made their millions, billions — and even trillions….
Bill Gates: $125.9 billion
Who else would we start with? Microsoft’s Bill Gates — business magnate, philanthropist and one of the most highly-regarded entrepreneurs of all time — is currently worth $125.9 billion. If his wealth continues to appreciate the way it has over the last decade, he’s well on his way to leaving the rest of the billionaires behind, and becoming the world’s first trillionaire. If knowing that doesn’t inspire you in all your billionaire-related endeavours, we’ve got a few famous quotes to nudge you along…
Elon Musk: $163.9 billion
Elon Musk wields an inordinate amount of power over crypto markets
At age 49, Elon Musk has achieved more than most of us could muster in several lifetimes. With a net-worth of $163.9 billion, his myriad successes have cemented his status as one of the richest people in the world, and it’s safe to assume he is well at home among the rest of the billionaires.
There simply wouldn’t be the space to list all his achievements, but they include founding SpaceX; taking the helm as CEO of Tesla; and co-founding OpenAI. We’re not sure when the man sleeps, but his status as one of the world’s billionaires seems to be more than secure. And if you want to get more of an insight into this incredible mind, we can help you out.
Warren Buffett: $95 billion
This American business magnate is widely regarded as being one of the most successful investors of all time, having amassed a net-worth for $95 billion over the years. He is the chairman, CEO and the largest shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway (one of the biggest multinational conglomerate holding companies in America), and has previously been named by Time as one of the world’s most influential people. If you’re putting together your own list of the world’s billionaires, this man is a crucial addition; and if you want to learn how to invest like the man himself, we’ve got you sorted there.
Mark Zuckerberg: $106 billion
It’s unsurprising, really, that Zuckerberg would feature in this list: after all, being co-founder and CEO of Facebook is bound to bring in a few pennies. Turns out it’s more than a few pennies, though – Zuckerberg’s net worth clocks in at $106billion, which fairly safely consolidates him as one of the richest people in the world. The fact that he’s only 36 makes us all the more determined to learn from his achievements – if he teaches us anything, it’s that you’re never too young to start working towards being one of the world’s billionaires.
And, if you’re looking to start making your own millions before that looming 30th birthday milestone, we’ve got some helpful tips where that’s concerned.
Jeff Bezos: $183.9 billion
As the founder, chairman and CEO of one of the world’s most valuable companies, Amazon, Bezos is undisputedly one of the world’s foremost billionaires with a net worth of 183.9 billion. Amazon was founded in 1994 in his garage, shortly after he’d noticed the rapid growth of the internet and subsequently left his high-earning job as a hedge-fund manager. He’s since founded Blue Origin, a human spaceflight startup, bought out The Washington Post and was one of the first investors in Google. One of the richest people in the world? Yes, indeed – and then some. After all, we always said Amazon would rule the world…
Have we inspired you to start making your own billions? These are the best business documentaries to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs…
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