Five of the World's Youngest Billionaires: How They Climbed to the Top

The world’s youngest billionaire club tells a fascinating story split into two distinct paths—some inherited massive family enterprises, while others built empires from scratch. According to recent wealth reports, these five individuals showcase dramatically different journeys to extreme wealth.

The Inherited Fortune Route

Lívia Voigt de Assis, 20 | Industrial Powerhouse

At just 20 years old, Brazilian entrepreneur Lívia Voigt de Assis carries a $1.2 billion fortune through family legacy. Her stake in WEG Industries—a multinational manufacturer of electric motors and automation systems—was passed down through generations. Co-founded by her grandfather Werner Ricardo Voigt, the company operates as one of Brazil’s most valuable industrial firms and trades publicly. Voigt de Assis maintains her wealth through strategic stock ownership and family trust structures, positioning herself as part of the next generation of Brazil’s industrial dynasties.

Clemente Del Vecchio, 20 | Luxury Eyewear Dynasty

Italian heir Clemente Del Vecchio joined the billionaire ranks at 18 after his father Leonardo Del Vecchio passed away in 2022. The legendary founder created Luxottica, controlling premium eyewear brands including Ray-Ban and Oakley. Del Vecchio’s inheritance includes a 12.5% stake in Delfin, the family holding company, plus diversified holdings in insurance and banking sectors. His net worth of $6.6 billion underscores how family trusts protect and grow generational wealth.

Johannes von Baumbach, 19 | Pharmaceutical Heir

Germany’s youngest pharmaceutical billionaire, Johannes von Baumbach at 19 possesses an estimated $5.4 billion through his stake in Boehringer Ingelheim, one of Europe’s largest family-owned pharmaceutical enterprises. The company specializes in human and veterinary medicine innovations. While his uncle leads day-to-day operations, von Baumbach represents the next generation of pharmaceutical stewardship—a legacy built over multiple generations of clinical excellence.

The Self-Made Entrepreneurs

Alexandr Wang, 28 | AI Revolution Pioneer

The gap between inherited wealth and self-made success widens dramatically with Alexandr Wang, recognized as the world’s youngest self-made billionaire. After dropping out of MIT as a freshman, Wang co-founded Scale AI in 2016 alongside Lucy Guo. The company dominates AI data labeling and autonomous vehicle training—emerging as a critical infrastructure player for major tech firms. Scale AI now serves Meta, Microsoft and General Motors, recently achieving a $13.8 billion valuation. Wang’s 14% ownership stake translates to a $2 billion net worth, positioning him as a transformative figure in artificial intelligence.

Ed Craven, 29 | Digital Gambling Disruptor

Australian entrepreneur Ed Craven built Stake.com with partner Bijan Tehrani into a cryptocurrency-focused online casino generating $4.7 billion in annual revenue. Despite operating in heavily regulated markets, the platform captured approximately 4% of all global Bitcoin transactions through strategic influencer partnerships. Craven’s $2.8 billion fortune demonstrates how understanding emerging digital markets and crypto adoption can accelerate wealth creation—a stark contrast to multi-generational inheritance models.

The Wealth Divide: What Sets Them Apart

The youngest billionaires reveal two competing narratives. Inherited wealth provides immediate security and generational advantage—Del Vecchio, Voigt de Assis and von Baumbach achieved billionaire status through family enterprises established decades or centuries ago. Meanwhile, Wang and Craven exemplify how technological disruption and timing can create comparable fortunes within a single generation. The self-made billionaires’ path required dropping out of elite institutions, identifying market gaps, and executing at scale—ultimately achieving equivalent net worth through innovation rather than inheritance.