The 30 Richest People in the WorldDan WesternBy Dan Western The 30 Richest People in the World
Who are the richest people in the world?
Most people have a pretty good idea, even if they’re not an entrepreneur or interested in the subject at all, for that matter.
As you’re reading this, you probably already have names popping into your head as to who will appear on the richest list.
Let’s find out in this article, where we list the top 30 richest people in the world as of 2021. These are the game-changers and the people who have helped transform and re-shape the world.
When we published the very first ‘richest’ list many years ago, only one person on the list had reached a net worth of $100 billion. As we updated the list for September 2021, nine individuals now have a net worth of over $100 billion, with two individuals close to the $200 billion milestone.
The 30 Richest People in the World
There’s been a huge fluctuation in the net worth of these billionaires in the past year. But, you can find out more about that below!
All the statistics given in this article in regard to individuals’ net worth estimates were originally sourced from Forbes Real-Time directly on August 31st, 2021.
These are the top 30 richest people in the world in 2021:
30. Daniel Gilbert
Net Worth: $38.3 Billion
Daniel Gilbert is an American businessman, investor, and philanthropist. Gilbert is the cofounder of Quicken Loans and also the founder of Rock Ventures. He also owns the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers team.
As of 2021, Daniel Gilbert’s net worth is estimated to be $38.3 billion.
29. Jack Ma
Richest People - Jack Ma
Net Worth: $40.9 Billion
Jack Ma is the founder of the Alibaba Group, and although he’s been one of the richest people in Asia for several years, he’s only just made it onto the list of the richest people in the world this year.
Jack was rejected from multiple jobs, including KFC, when it was first introduced to China. Today, Jack Ma’s net worth is estimated to be $40.9 billion, which put him 4 spots lower on the list this year, at 22nd.
Richest People Quotes - Jack Ma
“A leader should have higher grit and tenacity, and be able to endure what the employees can’t.” – Jack Ma
28. Ma Huateng
Richest People - Ma Huateng
Net Worth: $46.2 Billion
Ma Huateng is a Chinese business magnate, investor, philanthropist, engineer, internet, and technology entrepreneur. He’s also the founder of Tencent, which is the most valuable company in Asia.
Huateng is another of the richest in Asia, who made it on this list for the first time last year, and now appears 18th with an estimated net worth of $46.2 billion in 2021.
27. Julia Koch
Net Worth: $46.2 Billion
Julia Koch is the widow of David Koch, who passed away in 2019. David owned a 42% stake in Koch Industries, with his brother Charles also owning 42%. After his death, Julia and her three children inherited David’s 42% stake in the conglomerate.
As of 2021, Julia Koch’s net worth is estimated to be $46.2 billion.
26. Charles Koch
Richest People - Charles Koch
Net Worth: $46.2 Billion
Charles Koch is an American businessman and philanthropist.
Koch is the co-owner and CEO of Koch industries. Koch Industries now includes process and pollution control equipment and technologies; polymers and fibers; minerals; fertilizers; commodity trading and services; forest and consumer products; and ranching.
Koch made this year’s list of the richest people, and with an impressive net worth of $46.2 billion.
25. Francois Pinault
Net Worth: $51.1 Billion
François Pinault is a French billionaire businessman and founder of both Kering and the investment company Artémis. In the 1960s, Pinault started business in the timber industry, and the company was taken public in 1988.
It began to invest in specialized retail businesses and changed its name to PPR.
As of 2021, Francois Pinault’s net worth is estimated to be $51.1 billion.
24. David Thomson
Richest People - David Thomson
Net Worth: $51.6 Billion
David Thomson is the chairman of Thomson Reuters, a media company built by his grandfather Roy Thomson. Together with his family, they now control and manage the company.
As of 2021, David Thomson’s net worth is estimated to be $51.6 billion.
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23. Michael Dell
Richest People - Michael Dell
Net Worth: $52.4 Billion
Michael Dell is an American billionaire businessman and philanthropist. Dell is of course the founder of Dell Technologies, where he currently remains the CEO.
Dell Technologies was founded in 1984 whilst Michael was still a student at the University of Texas.
As of 2021, Michael Dell’s net worth is estimated to be $52.4 billion.
22. MacKenzie Scott
Richest People - Mackenzie Scott
Net Worth: $57.5 Billion
MacKenzie Scott is an American novelist and philanthropist. She was the wife of Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon. After their divorce, MacKenzie received a 4% stake in Amazon, which was worth about $35 billion at the time.
As of 2021, MacKenzie Scott’s net worth is estimated to be $57.5 billion.
21. Michael Bloomberg
Richest People - Michael Bloomberg
Net Worth: $59 Billion
Michael Bloomberg is an American entrepreneur and politician. Bloomberg is the founder and CEO of Bloomberg L.P, the financial data, and media company. Bloomberg is now 74 years old and one of the richest people in the world.
Michael Bloomberg added another $14 billion to his net worth earlier this year, which caused him to move up to 11th on this list.
However, he’s one of the only individuals on this list whose net worth hasn’t increased in Q2 and Q3 of 2021, which has pushed him down to 21st.
As of 2021, Michael Bloomberg’s net worth is now estimated at $59 billion.
20. Phil Knight
Richest People - Phil Knight
Net Worth: $61.3 Billion
Phil Knight is an American business magnate and philanthropist. Knight co-founded Nike Inc and currently serves as chairman of the company. We’re all aware of who Nike is, even when we’re only shown the logo.
As of 2021, Phil Knight’s net worth is estimated to be $61.3 billion, making him the 20th richest person globally.
19. Gautam Adani
Net Worth: $65.8 Billion
Gautam Adani is an Indian billionaire industrialist and philanthropist.
Adani is the founder and current chairman of the Adani Group, an Ahmedabad-based multinational conglomerate involved in port development and operations in India.
As of 2021, Gautam Adani’s net worth is estimated to be $65.8 billion.
18. Zhong Shanshan
Richest People - Zhong ShanShan
Net Worth: $65.9 Billion
Zhong Shanshan is the chairman of the Chinese water-beverage company, Nongfu Spring. The recent jump in the company’s stock price has launched Shanshan onto this list.
As of 2021, Zhong Shanshan’s net worth is estimated to be $65.9 billion.
17. Rob Walton
Richest People - Rob Walton
Net Worth: $67 Billion
Rob Walton is the eldest son of Sam Walton and served as the chairman for Walmart, after his father’s death, up until 2015.
Furthermore, he briefly surpassed his brother Jim recently on this list of the world’s richest people. However, he’s now fallen back to his original spot.
As of 2021, Rob Walton’s net worth is estimated to be $67 billion.
16. Alice Walton
Richest People - Alice Walton
Net Worth: $67.3 Billion
Alice Walton is the daughter of Sam Walton and heiress to the Walmart fortune. She founded the Llama Company in 1988, but it has since closed down.
Today, Alice Walton’s net worth is estimated to be $67.3 billion, making her the 16th richest person in the world and the 2nd richest woman in the world.
“I know the price of lettuce. You need to understand price and value. You buy the best lettuce you can at the best price you can.” – Alice Walton
15. Jim Walton
Richest People - Jim Walton
Net Worth: $68.3 Billion
Jim Walton is the son of Sam Walton, the founder of the world’s largest retail chain, ‘Walmart.’ He is on the Walmart board of directors and CEO of his own company, Arvest Bank.
As of 2021, Jim Walton’s net worth is $68.3 billion.
14. Amancio Ortega
Richest People - Amancio Ortega
Net Worth: $78.8 Billion
Amancio Ortega is a Spanish entrepreneur and founder of the Inditex fashion group. Inditex owns Zara, and Zara is one of the most popular clothing chains worldwide.
Ortega was once the 5th richest man in the world; however, he’s recently lost almost $20 billion of it, or 25%, which is one of the most significant losses in 2021 thus far.
As of 2021, Amancio Ortega’s net worth is estimated to be $78.8billion.
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13. Carlos Slim Helu
Richest People - Carlos Slim Helu
Net Worth: $79.5 Billion
Carlos Slim Helu is a Mexican businessman and investor, owner of the conglomerate ‘Grupo Carso.’ The conglomerate’s portfolio consists of brands in many different industries, such as health care, media, energy, real estate, and retail.
Carlos is 13th on this list of the richest people in the world, with a net worth of $79.5 billion.
Slim Helu’s net worth took a huge hit a couple of years ago, but it has since recovered.
12. Mukesh Ambani
Richest People - Mukesh Ambani
Net Worth: $87.3 Billion
Mukesh Ambani is an Indian business magnate, currently chairman, managing director, and largest shareholder of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL).
Ambani has been the richest man in Asia for a while now, and this year, he’s moving up on the list of the richest worldwide!
As of 2021, Mukesh Ambani’s net worth is $87.3 billion.
“Today I see a billion people as a billion potential consumers, an opportunity to generate value for them and to make a return for myself” – Mukesh Ambani
11. Francoise Bettencourt Meyers
Richest People - Francoise Bettencourt Meyers
Net Worth: $92.2 Billion
Francoise Bettencourt Meyers became the reigning L’Oreal heiress when her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, passed away in 2017. She now runs the holding company as chairwoman, with her family owning 33% of L’Oreal.
As of 2021, Francoise Bettencourt Meyers’ net worth is estimated to be $92.2 billion, making her the richest woman in the world.
10. Steve Ballmer
Richest People - Steve Ballmer
Net Worth: $97.1 Billion
Steve Ballmer is the current owner of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers, and he is also the former CEO of Microsoft.
As of 2021, Steve Ballmer’s net worth is estimated at $97.1 billion, making him the 10th richest person in the world.
9. Warren Buffett
Richest People - Warren Buffett
Net Worth: $103.6 Billion
Warren Buffett is an American entrepreneur and investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Buffett is the most successful investor worldwide, and millions of other traders look up to him because of his success.
Although he’s dropped a few places over the past few years, Warren Buffett is the 9th richest man globally, with an incredible net worth of $103.6 billion.
However, despite this fact, Buffett still lives in the home he purchased back when he didn’t even know what a billion dollars looked like.
What a humble guy!
Richest People Quotes - Warren Buffett
“I will tell you how to become rich. Close the doors. Be fearful when others are greedy. Be greedy when others are fearful.” – Warren Buffett
8. Larry Ellison
Richest People - Larry Ellison
Net Worth: $116.7 Billion
Larry Ellison is the co-founder of the Oracle Corporation, and he was also the company’s CEO until September 2014.
Over the years, Oracle has become an incredibly successful tech company, now being 39 years old and employing over 136,000 people.
Larry Ellison is 8th on this list of the richest people in the world, with a net worth of $116.7 billion.
7. Sergey Brin
Richest People - Sergey Brin
Net Worth: $119.3 Billion
Sergey Brin and Larry Page co-founded Google back in 1998 in just a small, simple garage. The duo has taken Google to the top, putting Sergey Brin a couple of spots behind Page in this list of the richest people worldwide.
As of 2021, Sergey Brin’s net worth is roughly $119.3 billion.
6. Larry Page
Richest People - Larry Page
Net Worth: $123.7 Billion
Larry Page is the co-founder of Google, which was founded back in a garage in 1998.
No doubt, Google has become the most successful search engine in the world, and the company has gone on to make various acquisitions such as YouTube. Google’s success has made Larry Page one of the richest people in the world.
As of 2021, Larry Page’s net worth is estimated to be $123.7 billion.
5. Bill Gates
Richest People - Bill Gates
Net Worth: $132.5 Billion
Bill Gates is the founder of Microsoft and was the richest man globally for several years running.
Gates founded Microsoft in 1975 with Paul Allen and has since become the largest PC software company worldwide.
Gates’ net worth has been pretty stagnant since he reached the $100 billion mark. He’s now dropped another place to be the 3rd richest man in the world.
As of 2021, Bill Gates’ net worth is estimated to be $132.5 billion.
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Richest People Quotes - Bill Gates
“Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.” – Bill Gates
4. Mark Zuckerberg
Richest People - Mark Zuckerberg
Net Worth: $136.8 Billion
We all know Mark Zuckerberg as the founder of Facebook. Facebook has become the most popular and most valuable social media company in the world. And it all started in Mark’s dorm room at Harvard University.
Mark Zuckerberg has regained the significant net worth loss he suffered after the Cambridge Analytica data scandal and various other issues causing the Facebook stock prices to fall.
Mark Zuckerberg is now the 4th richest man in the world, with an estimated net worth of $136.8 billion.
Richest People Quotes - Mark Zuckerberg
“When you give everyone a voice and give people power, the system usually ends up in a really good place. So, what we view our role as, is giving people that power.” – Mark Zuckerberg
3. Bernard Arnault
Richest People - Bernard Arnault
Net Worth: $177.7 Billion
Bernard Arnault is the CEO of LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessey).
Ultimately, the company was formed by merging the two businesses. Louis Vuitton is a very successful luxury fashion brand, and Moet Hennessey is the merged champagne and cognac manufacturers.
Bernard has been making serious movements up this list in the past year. In fact, at the beginning of 2017, he was at 14th. Now, almost 5 years later, he’s placed at 3rd on the list of the 25 richest people on earth in 2021.
As of 2021, Bernard Arnault’s net worth is estimated to be $177.7 billion.
2. Elon Musk
Richest People - Elon Musk
Net Worth: $190 Billion
Elon Reeve Musk FRS is a South-African-born, Canadian/American engineer, industrial designer, and tech entrepreneur. If you’re excited about the future of the world, you’ll probably have seen Musk everywhere.
Musk founded PayPal and is also the founder of Tesla Inc, SpaceX, The Boring Company, and Neuralink.
As of 2021, Elon Musk’s net worth is estimated to be $79.4 billion, which means his net worth has more than doubled this year, after a ridiculous jump in Tesla stock prices between April and August.
Two years ago, Musk first appeared on this list as the 24th richest person worldwide, and he’s now the 2nd.
As of 2021, Elon Musk’s net worth is estimated to be $190 billion.
1. Jeff Bezos
Richest People - Jeff Bezos
Net Worth: $197.2 Billion
Jeff Bezos is the founder of Amazon.com Inc, one of the biggest and most popular companies on the web. Amazon started as a simple online bookstore in Jeff’s bedroom, and the initial sales were slow.
In 2021, Jeff Bezos is the richest man in the world, after adding a whopping $40 billion to his net worth the last couple of years! After recently acquiring Wholefoods, Amazon is making major moves, launching drone shipping, and a bunch of other strong ideas.
Bezos recently divorced his wife MacKenzie, after which she received 4% of Amazon, which is worth billions, yet it still hasn’t knocked him off the top spot.
Jeff Bezos is the first man ever to reach not just the $100 billion mark, but briefly the $200 billion mark, which is just insane. Many believe he’ll become the world’s first trillionaire.
As of 2021, Jeff Bezos’ net worth is estimated at $197.2 billion.
Keep reading below to view a complete summary of the richest people in 2021.
Richest People Quotes - Jeff Bezos
“There are two kinds of companies, those that work to try to charge more, and those that work to charge less. We will be the second.”
Summary
Finally, Here’s a quick recap of the top 30 richest people in the world in 2021:
Jeff Bezos
Elon Musk
Bernard Arnault
Mark Zuckerberg
Bill Gates
Larry Page
Sergey Brin
Larry Ellison
Warren Buffett
Steve Ballmer
Francoise Bettencourt Meyers
Mukesh Ambani
Carlos Slim Helu
Amancio Ortega
Jim Walton
Alice Walton
S. Robson Walton
Zhong Shanshan
Gautam Adani
Phil Knight
Michael Bloomberg
MacKenzie Scott
Michael Dell
David Thomson
Francois Pinault
Charles Koch
Julia Koch
Ma Huateng
Jack Ma
Daniel Gilbert
