The list of the richest people in the world 2025 includes some well-known names. These people have earned massive wealth through industries. These includes technology, luxury goods, retail, and investments. They do not just make money they shape economies and set trends.
This article looks at the top 10 richest people in the world for 2025. We will see how they got so wealthy. Their success stories reveal a lot about where the world is heading.
Let’s see who made it to the list of the richest people in the world 2025.
1) Elon Musk: CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI (First richest person in the world)
Net Worth Elon Musk: $263.8 billion
Industry: Electric Vehicles, Space Exploration, Artificial Intelligence
Elon Musk leads ventures across diverse industries. From space exploration to electric vehicles. He is CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI. Musk is committed to advancing sustainability and innovation. His work consistently pushes boundaries.
Key Contributions: Elon has a huge impact across multiple industries. His company, Tesla, made electric cars. SpaceX his space exploration company. It redefined how we think about space travel by creating reusable rockets. This has made space missions affordable. Musk also recently started xAI an artificial intelligence company. He is always looking for ways to ensure AI benefits. Musk is at the cutting edge of electric vehicles, space exploration, and AI.
Why He’s on the List: Musk is on this list because of his unique vision. He is one of the few people aiming to change the world. His work does not just bring profits it changes entire industries. That is why he is one of the richest software developers.
2) Larry Ellison: Co-Founder and CTO of Oracle (Second richest person in the world)
Net Worth Larry Ellison: 212.3 billion USD
Industry: Software, Cloud Computing
Larry Ellison is journey from database software pioneer to cloud computing leader highlights his adaptability and visionary approach. As Oracle’s CTO, Ellison has led the company through significant shifts, including its expansion into cloud computing.
Key Contributions: Larry Ellison has been a game-changer in the world of databases and software. Oracle made storing and managing large amounts of data possible for businesses. Oracle has moved into cloud computing. And now competing with giants like Amazon and Microsoft. Ellison saw the potential of cloud technology early on and positioned Oracle as a leader in the field. This shift kept Oracle relevant and growing even as technology evolved.
Why He’s on the List: Ellison is on this list because he’s been able to keep Oracle successful and innovative for decades. He adapted his company to the changing tech landscape by embracing cloud computing. His vision and ability to stay ahead in software and cloud services make him one of the richest in the industry.
3) Jeff Bezos: Third and Former CEO of Amazon (First richest person in the world)
Net Worth Jeff Bezos: 210.2 billion USD
Industry: E-commerce, Cloud Computing
Jeff Bezos transformed Amazon from an online bookstore into a technology giant with global influence. His foresight in cloud computing and e-commerce has cemented Amazon as a dominant player in the digital space.
Key Contributions: Jeff Bezos transformed Amazon from a small online bookstore into one of the world’s biggest tech giants. He pushed Amazon beyond e-commerce, creating Amazon Web Services (AWS), a leader in cloud computing. AWS powers a huge part of the internet today, serving businesses, websites, and even government projects. Bezos also invested in automation and delivery systems, making Amazon’s logistics a model in the industry. His relentless focus on customer experience and innovation has turned Amazon into a powerhouse.
Why He’s on the List: Bezos is on this list because of his ability to create new industries and change how people shop. His foresight in cloud computing through AWS made Amazon even more profitable. Bezos’ vision and execution in e-commerce and cloud technology made him one of the wealthiest people globally.
4) Mark Zuckerberg: CEO of Meta (formerly Facebook) (Fourth richest person in the world)
Net Worth Mark Zuckerberg: 204.6 billion USD
Industry: Social Media, Virtual Reality
Mark Zuckerberg’s ambition to connect the world has driven Meta’s growth and its ventures into new technological areas like virtual reality and the Metaverse.
Key Contributions: Mark Zuckerberg has been a key player in social media. Facebook connected billions of people and changed how we communicate online. Recently, Zuckerberg’s focus shifted to the Metaverse, a virtual space where people can interact using digital avatars. This ambitious project involves virtual reality (VR) and aims to make digital connections even more immersive. Meta also owns Instagram and WhatsApp, making it a massive force in social connectivity and communication.
Why He’s on the List: Zuckerberg is on this list because of his role in shaping social media and pushing the idea of the Metaverse. His vision for Meta is to create a virtual world where people can work, play, and interact. These projects make him one of the richest and most influential figures in tech.
5) Bernard Arnault: CEO of LVMH (Fifth richest person in the world)
Net Worth Bernard Arnault: 168.7 billion USD
Industry: Luxury Goods
Though traditionally part of the luxury goods sector, Bernard Arnault has embraced digital transformation, integrating tech-driven strategies into LVMH’s approach to luxury retail.
Key Contributions: Bernard Arnault is known for running LVMH, a luxury goods company, but he has embraced technology in a big way. He introduced digital tools to enhance the shopping experience, from virtual try-ons to online luxury shopping. By using data, he’s also made better marketing decisions and streamlined operations. Arnault has shown that luxury brands can thrive in a digital world without losing their exclusive appeal.
Why He’s on the List: Arnault is on this list because he brought tech into an industry that typically resists change. By merging luxury and technology, he kept LVMH relevant and profitable. His willingness to innovate in a traditional industry helped him become one of the wealthiest people influenced by software and tech.
6) Larry Page: Co-Founder of Google (Sixth richest person in the world)
Net Worth Larry Page: 144.7 billion USD
Industry: Search Engine, Technology
Larry Page’s contributions as a Google co-founder have shaped the internet as we know it. His work in search and AI has defined Google as a global leader in tech innovation.
Key Contributions: Larry Page co-founded Google, a company that transformed how we find information. He created Google’s search engine algorithm, which became a model for finding and ranking information online. Page’s work has expanded to artificial intelligence, which Google now uses in search, advertising, and more. His leadership pushed Google to become one of the most powerful tech companies worldwide.
Why He’s on the List: Page is on this list because his ideas built the foundation of modern search engines. He focused on making information easy to find, which has shaped the internet as we know it. His work in search and AI has made him incredibly wealthy and impactful in technology.
7) Warren Buffett: CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (Seventh richest person in the world)
Net Worth Warren Buffett: 143.1 billion USD
Industry: Investments
Warren Buffett isn’t a traditional software developer, but he’s invested heavily in tech. He is the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway an investment company. Also he has made major investments in companies like Apple. Buffett is known for being cautious but he embraced tech stocks when he saw their potential. His support has helped companies grow and reach new heights.
Key Contributions:
Why He’s on the List: Buffett is on this list because he recognized the value of tech investments. His backing of tech companies has paid off making him one of the richest people. His adaptability shows how traditional investors can still succeed in a digital age.
8) Sergey Brin: Co-Founder of Google (Eighth richest person in the world)
Net Worth Sergey Brin: 138.4 billion USD
Industry: Search Engine, Technology
Sergey Brin’s work at Google alongside Larry Page solidified the company’s dominance in search and online advertising, laying the foundation for its continuous growth.
Key Contributions: Sergey Brin, along with Larry Page, helped build Google into a global tech leader. Brin focused on Google’s growth in online advertising, which generates most of its revenue. His work in AI and innovative projects like Google Glass and self-driving cars shows his willingness to push boundaries. Brin has kept Google at the cutting edge of tech advancements.
Why He’s on the List: Brin is on this list because he helped build one of the world’s most important tech companies. His work in AI and tech innovations keeps Google relevant and competitive. Brin’s contributions have made him one of the wealthiest people tied to software.
9. Amancio Ortega: Founder of Zara (Ninth richest person in the world)
Net Worth Amancio Ortega: 127.5 billion USD
Industry: Fashion, Retail
As Zara’s founder, Amancio Ortega leveraged technology to streamline the fast fashion business model, setting standards in inventory management and digital integration.
Key Contributions: Amancio Ortega revolutionized fashion retail through his brand, Zara. He used technology to improve Zara’s supply chain, making it fast and efficient. This fast fashion model, driven by data, allows Zara to quickly respond to trends and keep inventory fresh. Ortega’s approach shows how tech can streamline even traditional industries like fashion.
Why He’s on the List: Ortega is on this list because he brought tech innovations to the fashion industry. His methods have made Zara one of the most successful retailers globally. By embracing technology, he became one of the wealthiest individuals, with tech driving much of his success.
10. Steve Ballmer: Former CEO of Microsoft (Tenth richest person in the world)
Net Worth Steve Ballmer: 126.8 billion USD
Industry: Software
Steve Ballmer led Microsoft’s transformation during crucial years, focusing on cloud services and expanding the company’s software reach globally.
Key Contributions: Steve Ballmer played a huge role in expanding Microsoft. Under his leadership, Microsoft shifted from focusing only on software like Windows and Office to embracing cloud computing and enterprise services. He helped launch Azure, Microsoft’s cloud platform, which has become a leader in cloud services today.
Ballmer also guided Microsoft into gaming with Xbox, which transformed it into a key player in the entertainment industry. His push for diversification kept Microsoft strong and competitive in a fast-changing tech world.
Why He’s on the List: Ballmer is on this list because he took Microsoft to new heights and set it up for lasting success. His efforts in cloud computing and gaming made Microsoft more than just a software company. This vision of expansion and adaptability in tech made him one of the richest people tied to software, leaving a lasting impact on Microsoft’s legacy.
Sum up…
The top 10 richest people in the world in 2025 show us how different industries can bring huge success. These people come from fields like tech, fashion, and investments, yet they share a common trait: vision. They didn’t just follow trends—they set them.
From Elon Musk’s space and electric car ventures to Amancio Ortega’s fast fashion empire, each person on this list has reshaped their industry. They used new ideas and technology to create lasting change.
These stories remind us that success comes from big ideas, hard work, and the courage to try new things. As the world keeps changing, their influence and wealth will likely grow even more.
