Who holds global wealth? Top 10 billionaires in the technology and retail industries with the highest net worth

In the current era of globalization, wealth does not come by chance but results from creating value, innovation, and strategic decision-making. This article will reveal how these world-famous individuals built their empires.

Technology: The fastest path to wealth

Much of the wealth of global billionaires comes from the tech sector, ranging from software and hardware to online search engines.

No. 1: Elon Musk – Pioneer in multiple fields

Elon Musk (Elon Musk) ranks first with a net worth of $342 billion at age 53. His virtual presence is characterized by wealth distribution across various sectors:

• Tesla (12.8% ownership ≈ $51 billion): An electric vehicle company transforming the global automotive industry
• SpaceX (82.2% ownership ≈ $82.2 billion): A space exploration company aiming to make Mars habitable
• X (formerly Twitter) (79% ownership ≈ $7.68 billion)
• xAI and The Boring Company remain equal

Programming since childhood (sold the game Blastar at age 12) has shaped Elon’s perspective on solving complex problems through technology. Despite facing SEC investigations, he remains a symbol of innovation.

No. 2-3: Mark Zuckerberg and the digital emperor

Mark Zuckerberg (Mark Zuckerberg), at age 40, has a net worth of $215 billion. He is the youngest billionaire on this list. His success stems from creating Facebook (now Meta Platforms), starting in 2004 from a Harvard dorm room.

Meta Platforms (13% ownership ≈ $164 billion). It is not just a social media platform but also encompasses:

• Instagram and WhatsApp (acquired in 2012)
• Virtual reality services (metaverse)

Facebook’s IPO in 2012 created a valuation of $16 billion, making it one of the largest internet offerings.

Jeff Bezos (Jeff Bezos), with a net worth of $192 billion at age 61, founded Amazon in 1994, starting from online book sales. His interest in computers from childhood and studying computer science at Princeton led him to Wall Street before deciding to start a private business.

Amazon now extends beyond online retail, including:

• AWS (Amazon Web Services) – cloud computing services
• Acquisition of Whole Foods in 2017
• Blue Origin (space exploration company) ≈ $15 billion

Amazon’s core strategy is customer satisfaction, making it beloved worldwide.

No. 4-5: Pioneers in enterprise software and diverse content

Larry Ellison (Larry Ellison), aged 80, with a net worth of $178 billion, founded Oracle in 1980, a software company that revolutionized enterprise database management worldwide.

Oracle holds 42% of a valuation of $117 billion. Additional wealth comes from:

• Major acquisitions like Cerner Corporation in 2021 (valued at $28.3 billion) to expand into healthcare
• Tesla shares during his board tenure (2018-2022)
• Real estate and yacht investments

Bernard Arnault (Bernard Arnault), aged 76, with a net worth of $154 billion, hails from France. He is the executive of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the parent company of top luxury brands.

Arnault’s strategy involves acquiring prestigious luxury brands:

• Purchased Christian Dior in 1987 using family construction business funds
• Acquired Tiffany & Co in 2021 (valued at $15.8 billion)

LVMH owns 48% of a valuation of $170 billion. His diversified business approach shows that wealth is not limited to technology alone.

Major cash investors: Investments and retail

No. 6: Warren Buffett – Investment master

Warren Buffett (Warren Buffett), aged 94, with a net worth of $146 billion, known as the “Oracle of Omaha,” has proven that wealth-building takes time.

Founded Berkshire Hathaway in 1956, it holds 15% of a valuation of $137 billion. Berkshire’s diverse holdings include:

• Insurance
• Energy
• Food and beverages
• Media

His philosophy of “Never lose money – Rule number one” and “Remember rule number one” guides many business investors worldwide.

No. 9: Amancio Ortega – King of fashion retail

Amancio Ortega (Amancio Ortega), aged 89, with a net worth of $124 billion, founded Inditex (owner of Zara) in 1975 with his wife Rosalia Mera.

Inditex owns 60% of a valuation of $72 billion, with various brands:

• Zara, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Pull & Bear, and others totaling 8 brands
• Over 5,000 stores worldwide

Ortega’s real estate investments include high-end offices in Madrid, London, New York, and Chicago. Annual dividends from Inditex exceed $400 million, which are reinvested into expanding his asset portfolio.

Global tech celebrities

No. 7-8: Founders of Google leading the way

Larry Page (Larry Page), with a net worth of $144 billion, and Sergey Brin (Sergey Brin), with $138 billion, gained wealth from founding Google in 1998 while PhD students at Stanford University.

Alphabet (Google’s parent company) owns 6% of both, valued at $134.3 billion for Page and $125.2 billion for Brin. Google expanded from a search engine to:

• Online advertising (AdWords, AdSense)
• Cloud services (Google Cloud)
• Android (operating system)
• YouTube (video sharing platform)
• Gmail

Google went public in 2004. After a few years, Page and Brin sold over $100 billion worth of shares. They retired from daily roles in late 2019 but remain on the board.

( No. 10: Steve Ballmer – Microsoft executive who changed direction

Steve Ballmer )Steve Ballmer(, aged 69, with a net worth of $118 billion, served as Microsoft CEO from 2000 to 2014, overseeing:

• Xbox )gaming console###
• Skype (acquired in 2011)
• Azure cloud services

He owns 4% of Microsoft, worth $134 billion. Ballmer also owns:

• Los Angeles Clippers (NBA team), purchased in 2014 for $2 billion
• The Forum and Intuit Dome (sports venues)

In 2022, he and his wife donated about $425 million to the University of Oregon to establish a child behavioral and mental health institute.

Top 10 wealthiest people in the world overview table

Lessons from global icons: Where does success come from?

Despite diverse income sources (technology, fashion, finance, space), the common elements are:

Innovation and value creation: From Musk’s Blastar game at age 12 to Ellison’s acquisition of Cerner, all demonstrate relentless pioneering.

Strategic vision: Whether expanding portfolios (Arnault with luxury brands) or building ecosystems (Amazon, Google), all think systemically and long-term.

Willingness to take risks: Buffett entered Wall Street, Ellison founded Oracle during a booming era, Bezos left his job to start Amazon. Each made decisive choices.

Whatever your interest, studying these global icons can serve as a compass—from choosing your field, continuous investing, to seeking new opportunities. Your first step to success might be easier than you think.

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