Forbes has released its 2025 World’s Billionaires list.
Marking a record-breaking year with 3,028 billionaires,the highest number since the ranking began in 1987.
Collectively, they are worth a staggering $16.1 trillion.
Elon Musk claims the top spot, with his fortune skyrocketing by 75% to an estimated $342 billion.
His wealth surged due to high valuations of xAI and SpaceX, as well as a Tesla stock rally.
He also made history as the first individual to surpass the $300 billion mark.
Musk’s influence extends beyond business.
He now serves as an adviser to President Donald Trump and leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a task force aimed at cutting federal spending.
Billionaire rankings and key movers
Mark Zuckerberg ranks No. 2 with $216 billion, followed closely by Jeff Bezos at $215 billion.
Larry Ellison ($192 billion) and Bernard Arnault & family ($178 billion) complete the top five.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s net worth more than doubled to $5.1 billion, fueled by his stakes in Trump Media & Technology Group and profits from cryptocurrency ventures.
Notable newcomers include Bruce Springsteen, Chipotle founder Steve Ells, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and actor-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger.
With 902 billionaires, the U.S. leads the list, followed by China (450) and India (205).
Forbes notes that 67% of the billionaires are “self-made,” highlighting the rise of entrepreneurship.
