The world’s billionaires have a staggering amount of wealth, and although there are only around 2000 of these exclusive individuals the number continues to grow. At the top of these billionaires, however, are these top 10 richest people in the world
1. Jeff Bezos
Topping out the list is Jeff Bezos with a net worth of $112 billion. For quite some time, Bill Gates was regarded as the richest man in the world due to his contributions to Microsoft, but Amazon is starting to become one of the most influential companies in the world – and Jeff Bezos is responsible for guiding them to glory.
Bezos launched the retail giant back in 1994 and it was intended to be an online book retailer, but it quickly grew from an operation in Bezos’ garage into the world’s largest online shopping retailer that is currently worth over $430 billion.
With an incredible net worth that extends beyond anyone else in the world, Jeff Bezos comes in first place of the top 10 richest people in the world.
2. Bill Gates
Bill Gates is largely regarded for his contributions to Microsoft, but he has used his net worth of $90 billion in extensive philanthropy as well. Now no longer involved in the day-to-day operations of Microsoft, he serves as a technology adviser while running the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation alongside his wife.
This foundation focuses on ending infectious disease around the world, including dangerous afflictions like HIV and malaria.
Bill Gates has encouraged other billionaires to donate a hefty amount of their wealth to charity, and has pledged to spend the vast majority of his funds on helping others – leaving almost everything to charity when he passes away.
3. Warren Buffett
The Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett comes in at number 3 on this list of the top 10 richest people in the world, and has made his $84 billion fortune as an investment genius. Having bought his first stock when he was 11 years old, he has grown his holdings into a vast empire – currently owning more than 60 companies.
Although he is one of the top 10 richest people in the world, Buffett is notoriously thrifty – routinely spending under $4 for breakfast from McDonald’s each morning.
Like Gates, Buffett has devoted a significant portion of his wealth to charity and plans to give away 99% of his money for philanthropic causes.
4. Bernard Arnault
While Bernard Arnault may not be as immediately recognizable as the first three of the top 10 richest people in the world, he is responsible for some of the world’s most recognizable fashion brands like Bulgari, Louis Vuitton, Don Perignon and Sephora. He is the chairman of LVMH, which is the largest luxury goods company in the world.
Although he has previously not made the list of the top 10 richest people in the world, his wealth grew by more than $5 billion back in April of 2017 when he announced that he would take full control of Christian Dior.
Arnault is a major patron of the arts, and created the Louis Vuitton foundation which supports artistic creation in France.
Bernard Arnault is worth $72 billion.
5. Mark Zuckerberg
Mark Zuckerberg is famous for creating Facebook – the largest social network in the world. He started the company when he was a sophomore at Harvard University, and has grown it into a website with more than 1.2 billion users. The company is immense, worth more than $400 billion.
In addition to being one of the top 10 richest people in the world, Zuckerberg is the youngest on the list at just 33 years old. He has a net worth of $71 billion, and has donated millions to charitable causes. He and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have pledged to donate 99% of their wealth to deserving parties through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
6. Amancio Ortega
Amancio Ortega is a Spanish billionaire best known for found Inditex fashion group – an organization which includes the Zara clothing stores. He is the richest man in Europe, and co-founded Inditex back in 1975 with ex-wife Rosalia Mera.
He is included in the list of wealthiest retailers in the world, with 59% ownership of Inditex which currently operates 7000 stores worldwide.
His approach to “fast fashion”and the constant refresh of clothing stock at his stores led to a huge amount of customers that have propelled him to one of the top 10 richest people in the world.
7. Carlos Slim Helu
Carlos Slim Helu is the richest person in Mexico, and is also one of the top 10 richest people in the world. With ownership of more than 200 companies in a wide range of industries, he is best known for the ownership of America Movil – the largest phone company in Latin America, as well as the Group Caruso conglomerate company.
With a net worth of $67.1 billion, he has participated in philanthropy but believes in taking a more active approach “creating companies, rather than giving them away.” He has been critical of other billionaires’ approach to charity in the past, preferring to do things his own way while still contributing to the greater good.
8. Charles and David Koch (tied)
Charles and David Koch has a network of $60 billion each, and are the co-owners of Koch Industries – the second-largest private company in the United States.
Each of the two brothers own 42% of the conglomerate – a company responsible for creating products like Dixie Cup, Quilted Northern paper towels, and the Stainmaster carpet cleaner.
Charles and David Koch are large contributors to conservative politics, and have used their considerable resources to influence public policy. Their network spent $889 million just on the 2016 election, and they may have had a significant contribution to the outcome just with their own resources.
9. Larry Ellison
Larry Ellison is the founder, chairman, and former CEO of software company Oracle – and with a net worth of $58.5 billion he is number 9 out of the top 10 richest people in the world.
He worked several jobs while he learned about programming, and eventually left with a couple of co-workers to found Oracle which has grown into the world’s most popular database.
Ellison has already given millions to charity and education, and plans to give away billions in the future. His wealth is both in cash and through luxurious real estate that he owns around the world – including the entire island of Lanai in Hawaii.
10. Michael Bloomberg
Michael Bloomberg has his hand in many industries, although his wealth mainly comes from Bloomberg L.P. – an information technology and media company which is now worth $45 billion with more than 100 offices around the world.
While the Koch brothers donate primarily to conservative interests, Bloomberg has put his money behind causes that are important to him including gun control and climate change.
In addition to his success with Bloomberg L.P, Michael Bloomberg is a successful politician – having been mayor of New York City for three terms between 2002 and 2013.
Michael Bloomberg has a net worth of $50 billion.
