The Top 10 Wealthiest Business People in the World

In business, innovation moves fast and markets shift daily, and a few individuals continue to rise above the rest—not just in earnings, but in influence, vision, and the ability to reshape industries. The wealthiest businesspeople on the planet don’t just accumulate money; they build empires, dictate trends, and in many ways, define the modern economy.

From tech giants and retail disruptors to luxury moguls and investment legends, the world’s top billionaires reflect how dramatically business has evolved over the past few decades. And while headlines often focus on net worth, their stories offer valuable lessons for entrepreneurs, marketers, and anyone dreaming of building something big.

Here’s a deep dive into the Top 10 wealthiest business figures in the world in 2025, the companies behind their riches, and some lesser-known insights into their rise to the top.

---

1. Bernard Arnault – Chairman & CEO, LVMH (France)

Net Worth: ~$228 billion

The French fashion tycoon behind LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton), Bernard Arnault controls a luxury empire that includes iconic brands like Louis Vuitton, Dior, Fendi, Hennessy, and even Tiffany & Co. What’s most fascinating about Arnault isn’t just the brands he owns—it’s how he’s preserved their exclusivity while scaling globally. Under his leadership, LVMH became Europe’s most valuable company.

Arnault began his career in construction before pivoting into luxury goods in the 1980s. A master of acquisitions, his strategy is all about maintaining heritage and craftsmanship while introducing modern retail experiences and appealing to high-net-worth millennials in China and the U.S.

Fun Fact: Arnault reportedly plays classical piano daily and is said to base some of his strategic decisions on musical intuition—like assembling a well-balanced symphony.

---

2. Elon Musk – CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, xAI, and more (USA)

Net Worth: ~$210 billion

Elon Musk is the quintessential modern tech entrepreneur—visionary, controversial, and often unpredictable. His ventures span from electric vehicles at Tesla, space exploration with SpaceX, brain-computer interfaces via Neuralink, to AI and social media disruption through xAI and X (formerly Twitter).

What sets Musk apart is his relentless pursuit of moonshot ideas, often funding high-risk projects himself when others won’t. His ability to drive global hype (and stock price movements) with a single tweet is both powerful and polarising.

Fun Fact: Musk once sold a line of flamethrowers as a marketing stunt through his Boring Company—and they sold out in hours.

---

3. Jeff Bezos – Founder of Amazon (USA)

Net Worth: ~$195 billion

Jeff Bezos built Amazon from a garage bookstore into a global juggernaut that changed how the world shops. Even after stepping down as CEO, he remains Amazon’s executive chairman and a key force in tech and media, thanks to his ownership of The Washington Post and Blue Origin, his aerospace company.

What made Amazon unique was Bezos’ obsession with customer-centricity. His focus on long-term vision over short-term profits led to innovations in logistics, cloud computing (AWS), and even entertainment.

Fun Fact: Bezos originally wanted to name Amazon “Cadabra” but changed it after a lawyer misheard it as “cadaver.”

---

4. Larry Ellison – Co-founder of Oracle (USA)

Net Worth: ~$152 billion

The co-founder of Oracle Corporation, Larry Ellison is a tech veteran who helped shape the software backbone of businesses worldwide. Known for his sharp intellect and flair for luxury (his yacht, island, and Hawaiian estate are the stuff of legend), Ellison stepped down as Oracle CEO in 2014 but remains chairman and CTO.

Ellison’s influence expanded with a massive investment in Tesla, and Oracle’s growing role in AI and data infrastructure makes him more relevant than ever in today’s digital economy.

Fun Fact: He bought 98% of the Hawaiian island of Lanai in 2012 and has since been turning it into a sustainable tech paradise.

---

5. Warren Buffett – CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (USA)

Net Worth: ~$129 billion

At 93 years old, Warren Buffett remains one of the most respected investors of all time. Through Berkshire Hathaway, he owns or holds significant stakes in companies like Coca-Cola, Apple, Geico, and Dairy Queen. Known as the “Oracle of Omaha,” Buffett’s disciplined, long-term value investing strategy has outperformed markets for decades.

Despite his wealth, Buffett still lives in the same house he bought in 1958 and famously eats McDonald’s breakfasts. His wisdom is cited in countless business books and investor circles.

Fun Fact: Buffett has pledged over 99% of his fortune to philanthropy, primarily through the Gates Foundation and his own foundations.

---

6. Bill Gates – Co-founder of Microsoft (USA)

Net Worth: ~$124 billion

Though no longer involved in day-to-day operations at Microsoft, Bill Gates has transitioned into a global philanthropist through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, tackling issues from disease eradication to education reform.

Gates’ fortune remains tied to Microsoft stock and other strategic investments. His pragmatic approach to both business and philanthropy continues to influence billionaires and tech leaders worldwide.

Fun Fact: Gates reads over 50 books a year and has recommended dozens through his widely followed GatesNotes blog.

---

7. Mark Zuckerberg – CEO of Meta (USA)

Net Worth: ~$112 billion

Mark Zuckerberg has undergone a massive evolution—from the hoodie-wearing college founder of Facebook to the leader of Meta, a company now betting heavily on the metaverse, AI, and virtual reality.

While Facebook’s growth has slowed, Meta’s pivot into AI with Llama models and the success of Instagram and WhatsApp still places Zuckerberg in the tech elite. His long-term bets and commitment to innovation keep him relevant—and very rich.

Fun Fact: Zuckerberg once learned Mandarin just to give a speech at a Beijing university in the local language.

---

8. Steve Ballmer – Former CEO of Microsoft (USA)

Net Worth: ~$111 billion

Steve Ballmer, once Microsoft’s fiery CEO, oversaw massive expansion in enterprise software, Xbox, and Office 365. Since stepping down, he’s remained a major shareholder—and his net worth has skyrocketed with Microsoft’s continued dominance.

Outside tech, Ballmer owns the LA Clippers and has invested heavily in U.S. civic data transparency projects, positioning himself as a quietly powerful figure in both business and social impact.

Fun Fact: Ballmer bought the Clippers for $2 billion in 2014—now valued at over $4.6 billion.

---

9. Sergey Brin – Co-founder of Google (USA)

Net Worth: ~$108 billion

Alongside Larry Page, Sergey Brin built Google into the cornerstone of the internet. Brin’s focus was always more on the innovative and experimental side of the business, including early AI projects and Google Glass.

Though he stepped back from daily leadership in Alphabet (Google’s parent company), Brin remains active in research and philanthropy—and with Google’s AI push, his influence is quietly making a comeback.

Fun Fact: Brin’s foundation funds Parkinson’s disease research—a personal cause, as he carries a genetic marker for the condition.

---

10. Francoise Bettencourt Meyers – L’Oréal Heiress (France)

Net Worth: ~$97 billion

Rounding out the top 10 is Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, the richest woman in the world and the granddaughter of L’Oréal’s founder. She owns around 33% of the global cosmetics giant and has expanded its reach through innovation and sustainability.

Beyond her fortune, Meyers is a classical pianist, author, and philanthropist focused on science, religion, and French heritage preservation.

Fun Fact: In 2019, she pledged over €200 million to help rebuild Notre-Dame Cathedral after the devastating fire.

---

Final Thoughts: More Than Just Billions

While their net worths are staggering, the real takeaway from these business titans is how they’ve built durable, culture-shaping companies by taking risks, staying obsessive about quality, and thinking decades ahead. Each of these figures has navigated criticism, market crashes, and public pressure—and still emerged with stronger empires.

Whether you’re launching a startup, scaling your agency, or building your personal brand, there’s value in studying how these individuals made it to the top. The trends they lead—AI, sustainability, luxury, digital ecosystems—are shaping the future of every industry.

And if nothing else, their stories prove that business is never just about money—it’s about vision, resilience, and the courage to bet on yourself.

📧 Need help with marketing business? We only charge based on the results we bring clients, no retainers, no hidden fees!

Contact us today at grow@dabrando.co.uk or explore our services to learn more, or Book A Free Discover Call to get started today!