Today, we know Elon Musk for being a whacky entrepreneur. Well, as strange as he is, he’s worth quite a bit of money. Forbes puts Musk’s worth at $251 billion. How did he make that money? A lot of different ways. He’s the founder, CEO, and chief engineer at SpaceX as well as the CEO and product architect of Tesla, Inc. As of 2023, he was not only the richest person in America but the richest person in the world.
Over the years, Musk, originally from South Africa, developed an interest in computing when he was just 10 years old. From there, he learned all he could, and by the age of 12, he had already sold the code of a BASIC-based video game called Blastar. That was only the start of his fortune. Since then, Musk hasn’t stopped investing and creating, and we don’t see him slowing down any time soon.
Jeff Bezos (real name Jeff Jorgensen) is best known as the founder and CEO of the e-commerce giant Amazon. According to Forbes in 2023, he was worth $161 billion, making him the second richest person in America and the world. Now that’s a pretty big achievement, but that’s not even all.
As if that weren’t enough, Forbes also listed Bezos as the first centi-billionaire and the “richest man in modern history” after his net worth broke the $150 billion barrier in 2018. Way back in ’93, Bezos started working on Cadabra – later the name changed to Amazon – to be a bookstore in his garage. Thankfully, Bezos realized an online bookstore wasn’t that profitable, and he expanded the items for sale.
Larry Ellison, an influential figure in the tech industry, is widely recognized as the co-founder of the software company Oracle Corporation. As the 3rd richest person in America, his net worth is $158 billion according to Forbes.
Under his leadership, Oracle grew from a start-up with three programmers into a Silicon Valley titan, dominating the database software market. Ellison served as Oracle's CEO until September 2014, and currently holds the position of Chairman and Chief Technology Officer.
Warren Buffett is the oldest person on this list, but we can’t leave him out. Even today, investors listen to what Buffett has to say, and that’s because he made his wealth as an investor, business tycoon, and philanthropist. According to Forbes, Buffett is worth $121 billion, an amount that’s consistently growing year-over-year.
Buffett is the world’s sixth-richest man, but he’s also very frugal. This billionaire is still living in the house he bought back in 1950 and drives an older vehicle (although it’s also still a very nice vehicle, of course). Instead of getting the finest foods, Buffett eats breakfast at McDonald’s and still uses the furniture he had when his child was born. We’re not sure how he does it.
Larry Page, an American businessman, computer scientist, and internet entrepreneur, is best known for co-founding Google alongside Sergey Brin. Page’s net worth in 2023 was $114 billion according to Forbes.
As Google's founding CEO, Page led the company to profitability and exponential growth, expanding the team to more than 200 employees. Page remains a significant figure in the tech industry, holding a position on the board and retaining controlling shares.
Bill Gates has been in the public’s eye for much longer than the others on this list for one big reason: he’s the co-founder of mega tech company Microsoft. That’s not the only thing Gates is known for — he’s also a philanthropist that donates much of his wealth to disadvantaged communities. As of 2023, Bill Gates is worth $111 billion (according to Forbes), but he doesn’t hoard the wealth.
Much of his money goes to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which is reported to be the world’s largest private charity. Like many on this list, Gates started young. He wrote his first software program at 13. From there, he did whatever he could to learn about computing. All we have to say is, “Thank you for Microsoft!”
Sergey Brin, originally from Russia, is an iconic figure in the realm of technology and entrepreneurship. Brin, along with Larry Page, co-founded Google, the world's most popular search engine. He is now worth $110 billion according to Forbes.
After stepping down as the president of Google's parent company in 2019, he is still a board member and controlling shareholder. His journey from immigrant to one of the wealthiest people in the world is inspiring.
Mark Zuckerberg naturally made this list. As of 2023, he’s worth $106 billion. In 2008, Time listed him as one of the most influential people in the world, while Forbes agreed – putting him at 10th for the world’s most powerful people. How? He invented Facebook!
We’ve all probably used Facebook at one point in our lives. The platform was created and launched back in 2004 with Zuckerberg and a group of his friends. Business Insider investigated and found that Zuckerberg’s wealth is only increasing as time goes on. In 2020 alone, his net worth increased by $40 billion. He’s only in his 30s!
Steve Ballmer is an influential figure in the tech industry, known for his dynamic leadership as the CEO of Microsoft from 2000 to 2014. He is worth $101 billion, making him the 9th richest person in America.
He played a crucial role in transforming Microsoft from a software manufacturer into a diversified tech giant. After stepping down as CEO, he purchased the Los Angeles Clippers NBA team, further expanding his investment portfolio.
Michael Bloomberg is a prominent American businessman and politician who founded Bloomberg LP, a global media and financial services company. As of 2023, his net worth is $96.3 billion.
Bloomberg’s company proved to be highly successful, contributing significantly to his wealth. He also served as Mayor of New York City from 2002-2013, where he implemented innovative strategies in government and philanthropy.
Michael Dell is most famously known as the founder, chairman, and CEO of Dell Technologies, one of the world's leading technology infrastructure companies. He's accumulated a net worth of at least $71.5 billion in his lifetime.
Through strategic business decisions, including the significant $60 billion merger with computer storage giant EMC in 2016, Dell has become the 11th richest person in America. His story serves as an inspiration for entrepreneurs and leaders across the globe.
Jim Walton is an American businessman and the youngest son of the founder of Walmart, Sam Walton. Because of Walmart’s success, Jim’s net worth is $68.2 billion, making him the 12th richest person in America.
Jim actively participated in the family business, working on real estate dealings, and serving on the board of directors. He is also chairman for the family's Arvest Bank, which boasts assets of more than $20 billion.
Rob Walton, born Samuel Robson, is an American billionaire and the eldest son of Walmart founder Sam Walton. He inherited a vast fortune from the world's largest retailer, his net worth currently $67.4 billion.
Upon his father's death in 1992, Rob assumed the role of chairman for Walmart, a position he held until June 2015. His leadership and strategic decisions significantly contributed to the growth of Walmart, solidifying its position on the global stage.
Alice Walton is an American businesswoman, philanthropist, and daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton. Alice is the richest woman in America, with a net worth of $66.5 billion.
Alice took her lifelong passion for art and established the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in 2005 in her family’s hometown of Bentonville, Arkansas. Also in Bentonville, the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine plans to open in 2025.
Julia Koch is an American socialite and philanthropist with a net worth of $59.8 billion. She had a simple upbringing in Iowa, but her life took a dramatic turn when she married billionaire industrialist David Koch.
Upon her husband's death in August 2019, Julia and her three children inherited a 42% stake in Koch Industries. Despite her vast fortune, Koch remains committed to philanthropy, upholding the legacy of her late husband.
