Forbes Billionaires 2024: The Richest People on the Planet

Elon Musk Surges to the Top, Jeff Bezos Slips to Second
Every year, Forbes releases its highly anticipated list of the world's billionaires. This year's list is full of surprises, as some of the most prominent names in business have seen their fortunes fluctuate dramatically.
Elon Musk's Meteoric Rise
After a rollercoaster year in which he acquired Twitter and became embroiled in controversy, Elon Musk has emerged as the richest person on Earth, dethroning Jeff Bezos, who had held the title for four consecutive years. Musk's wealth is estimated at a staggering $219 billion, a $68 billion increase from last year. His success is largely attributed to the soaring stock price of Tesla, his electric car company.
Jeff Bezos Loses his Crown
Jeff Bezos, the former CEO of Amazon, saw his wealth decline by $20 billion to $150 billion, causing him to slip to second place on the list. Despite the drop, Bezos remains one of the most influential figures in business and philanthropy.
Indian Billionaires Dominate the Top 10
Three Indian billionaires have made it into the top 10 of the Forbes list this year, highlighting the growing wealth of the Asian country. Gautam Adani, the chairman of the Adani Group, has jumped from 14th to third place with a net worth of $121 billion. Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries, holds the ninth position with $85 billion. Shiv Nadar, the founder of HCL Technologies, is ranked tenth with $84.5 billion.
Newcomers on the List
Several newcomers have made a splash on this year's Forbes list. Bernard Arnault, the CEO of LVMH, the luxury goods conglomerate, has climbed to fourth place with a net worth of $113 billion. Warren Buffett, the legendary investor, has retained his fifth position with $111 billion.
Women Make Strides
The number of women on the Forbes billionaires list has increased marginally to 145, up from 141 last year. Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, the heiress to the L'Oréal fortune, remains the richest woman in the world with a net worth of $74.2 billion.
The Impact of the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a mixed effect on the wealth of billionaires. While some industries, such as technology and healthcare, have thrived, other sectors, such as hospitality and retail, have struggled. The result is a widening gap between the ultra-wealthy and the rest of society.
A Call for Action
The release of the Forbes billionaires list prompts us to reflect on the growing concentration of wealth at the top of society. While it is inspiring to see individuals achieve such extraordinary success, it is also important to consider the wider implications of wealth inequality. As a society, we need to find ways to ensure that the benefits of economic growth are shared more equitably.