Top 10 Richest People in the World as of December 2025

The global wealth landscape has undergone dramatic shifts as we close out 2025. Artificial intelligence has become the defining battleground for the world's wealthiest, with tech titans racing to establish dominance in this transformative space. The combined fortune of the planet's ten richest individuals stands at approximately $2.4 trillion—a staggering sum that reflects both the opportunities and concentration of wealth in modern technology and business.

Quick Summary: The Top 10

Rank	Name	Net Worth	Primary Source
1	Elon Musk	$483B	Tesla, SpaceX, xAI
2	Larry Page	$262B	Google/Alphabet
3	Larry Ellison	$253B	Oracle
4	Jeff Bezos	$245B	Amazon
5	Sergey Brin	$242B	Google/Alphabet
6	Mark Zuckerberg	$222B	Meta
7	Bernard Arnault	$190B	LVMH
8	Jensen Huang	$154B	Nvidia
9	Michael Dell	$152.1B	Dell Technologies
10	Warren Buffett	$151.9B	Berkshire Hathaway

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1. Elon Musk — $483 Billion

The Undisputed King of Global Wealth

Elon Musk continues his reign atop the global wealth rankings, commanding an astronomical fortune of $483 billion. His position remains unchallenged despite Tesla's stock experiencing a 6% decline, which trimmed approximately $15 billion from his holdings.

The entrepreneur's empire spans electric vehicles through Tesla, space exploration via SpaceX, artificial intelligence with xAI Holdings, and social media through X (formerly Twitter). In a landmark November decision, Tesla's board approved what could become the largest executive compensation package ever—potentially worth up to $1 trillion in additional stock if the company hits ambitious "Mars shot" targets over the coming decade.

Key Ventures:

• Tesla — Holds roughly 12% ownership stake
• SpaceX — Commands an estimated 42% stake in the $400B valued rocket company
• xAI Holdings — Currently seeking funding at a $230B valuation

Profile:

• Age: 54
• Residence: Austin, Texas
• Background: South African-born entrepreneur who moved to Canada, later studied at UPenn

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2. Larry Page — $262 Billion

The Google Pioneer Reaches New Heights

For the first time in history, Google co-founder Larry Page has claimed the world's second-wealthiest position. His fortune surged by $30 billion in just one month, propelled by a 14% jump in Alphabet shares following the successful launch of Google's Gemini 3 AI model.

Page's ascent from the fourth position demonstrates how quickly AI advancements can reshape personal fortunes. Although he stepped away from day-to-day leadership in 2015, Page remains a controlling shareholder and board member at Alphabet. Recent reports suggest he's working on a stealth AI venture called Dynatomics focused on manufacturing innovation.

Career Milestones:

• Co-founded Google with Sergey Brin in 1998 while pursuing PhDs at Stanford
• Served as CEO from the company's founding until 2001, and again from 2011-2015
• Maintains significant voting control over Alphabet

Profile:

• Age: 52
• Residence: Palo Alto, California
• Change: Up from #4 last month (+$30B)

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3. Larry Ellison — $253 Billion

The Oracle Visionary Faces AI Headwinds

Larry Ellison experienced the steepest decline among the top ten, watching $67 billion evaporate as Oracle shares plummeted 23%. Despite this setback, the 81-year-old tech veteran maintains an enormous fortune built over nearly five decades of software innovation.

The database pioneer made headlines in January 2025 when he appeared alongside President Trump to announce the Stargate Project—a $500 billion AI infrastructure initiative involving Oracle, OpenAI, SoftBank, and UAE's MGX fund. He also expanded his entertainment holdings by helping orchestrate the Paramount-Skydance merger, gaining control of approximately 77.5% of the combined company's voting rights.

Notable Holdings:

• Founded Oracle in 1977, now serves as CTO and Chairman
• Owns 98% of Hawaii's Lanai island (acquired for $300M in 2012)
• Properties across California, Nevada, and Florida

Profile:

• Age: 81
• Residence: Woodside, California
• Change: Down from #2 last month (-$67B)

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4. Jeff Bezos — $245 Billion

The Amazon Architect Returns to Building

Jeff Bezos marks a significant return to operational leadership, reportedly taking on a co-CEO role at Project Prometheus—an AI startup that has secured nearly $6 billion in funding. This represents his most hands-on position since departing as Amazon's chief executive in 2021.

The e-commerce revolutionary built Amazon from a garage-based bookseller into a global powerhouse spanning retail, cloud computing, and entertainment. Through Blue Origin, his space venture, Bezos continues pursuing ambitious off-world goals—including a notable all-female crew mission in spring 2025 featuring celebrities like Katy Perry and TV personality Gayle King.

Wealth Journey:

• Started Amazon in 1994 from a Seattle garage
• Currently holds approximately 8% of Amazon (down from 12% post-divorce)
• Has sold over $49 billion in Amazon stock since the 1997 IPO

Profile:

• Age: 61
• Residence: Miami, Florida
• Change: Down from #3 last month (-$10B)

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5. Sergey Brin — $242 Billion

The Google Co-Creator Returns to AI Frontlines

Unlike his more reclusive co-founder, Sergey Brin has visibly re-engaged with Alphabet's artificial intelligence efforts. His return from semi-retirement saw him personally submitting code changes to Google's Gemini AI chatbot and earning recognition as a "core contributor" to the project.

Brin's fortune soared by $27 billion over the past month, mirroring Page's gains from Alphabet's AI momentum. Beyond business, he's demonstrated significant philanthropic commitment—recently donating $1.1 billion in Alphabet stock, primarily to his Catalyst4 nonprofit focusing on neurological conditions and climate solutions.

Key Facts:

• Co-founded Google at Stanford with Larry Page
• Remains a controlling shareholder and board member at Alphabet
• Born in Russia, immigrated to the U.S. as a child

Profile:

• Age: 52
• Residence: Los Altos, California
• Change: Up from #6 last month (+$27B)

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6. Mark Zuckerberg — $222 Billion

The Social Media Emperor

Mark Zuckerberg's position reflects Meta's sustained dominance across social networking. The company he launched from a Harvard dormitory in 2004 now operates the world's most extensive connected ecosystem—Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp collectively serve billions of users worldwide.

At 41, Zuckerberg is the youngest member of the top ten and maintains approximately 13% ownership in Meta. His wife, Priscilla Chan, recently received recognition at the Wall Street Journal's Innovator of the Year Awards for their joint philanthropic efforts focused on disease prevention and cure research.

Empire Overview:

• Founded Facebook at age 19 while at Harvard
• Acquired Instagram (2012) and WhatsApp (2014)
• Continues pushing Meta's metaverse and AI ambitions

Profile:

• Age: 41
• Residence: Palo Alto, California
• Change: Down from #5 last month (-$1B)

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7. Bernard Arnault — $190 Billion

The Luxury Goods Titan

Bernard Arnault stands as the sole non-American in the top ten and represents an empire built not on technology but on timeless luxury. His conglomerate LVMH encompasses over 70 prestigious brands, from Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior to Moët & Chandon and Tiffany & Co.

The French billionaire's path began with a $15 million investment from his father's construction fortune to acquire Christian Dior. He has since constructed the world's preeminent luxury goods company and is preparing the next generation for leadership—all five of his children now hold positions across LVMH's various divisions.

Family Succession:

• Daughter Delphine leads Dior; sits on LVMH board
• Son Antoine is a board member
• Sons Alexandre and Frédéric recently joined the board; Frédéric heads the family holding group
• Youngest son Jean directs watches at Louis Vuitton

Profile:

• Age: 76
• Residence: Paris, France
• Change: +$7B from last month

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8. Jensen Huang — $154 Billion

The Chip Architect Powering the AI Revolution

Jensen Huang's journey from diner busboy to semiconductor kingpin epitomizes the American dream. The Nvidia co-founder has transformed his graphics chip company into the indispensable engine powering the artificial intelligence revolution—making Nvidia the first corporation ever to achieve a $5 trillion valuation in October 2025.

Despite a 13% stock decline costing him $22 billion recently, Huang's position remains secure. His roughly 3% stake in Nvidia, which he took public in 1999, has proven extraordinarily valuable as the company's GPUs became essential infrastructure for AI development worldwide.

Background:

• Born in Taiwan, sent to the U.S. as a child
• Co-founded Nvidia in 1993; has served as CEO ever since
• Started as dishwasher at a Denny's restaurant

Profile:

• Age: 62
• Residence: Los Altos, California
• Change: -$22B from last month

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9. Michael Dell — $152.1 Billion

The Dorm Room Entrepreneur

Michael Dell's entrepreneurial instinct emerged early—by the end of his freshman year at the University of Texas, his dorm room computer business had generated $80,000 in sales. That venture evolved into Dell Technologies, which he continues to lead as chairman and CEO four decades later.

Dell's fortune reflects his company's pivotal role in providing infrastructure for AI and cloud computing. His strategic moves include taking Dell private in 2013 with Silver Lake Partners, executing a landmark $60 billion merger with EMC in 2016, and spinning off VMware—which Broadcom eventually acquired for $69 billion in 2023.

Business Timeline:

• Started selling computers from UT Austin dorm in 1984
• First took company public in 1988
• Returned to public markets in 2018 after going private

Profile:

• Age: 60
• Residence: Austin, Texas
• Change: Up from #10 last month (-$2B)

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10. Warren Buffett — $151.9 Billion

The Oracle of Omaha

Warren Buffett returns to the top ten after his conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway disclosed a significant stake in Alphabet, demonstrating that the 95-year-old investor hasn't lost his eye for opportunity. His fortune increased by $9 billion as Berkshire shares climbed 8%.

The legendary investor, who purchased his first stock at age 11, has announced plans to retire as Berkshire's CEO at the end of 2025. His holding company owns an extraordinary portfolio including insurer Geico, battery manufacturer Duracell, and restaurant chain Dairy Queen. Through the Giving Pledge he co-founded with Bill and Melinda Gates, Buffett has already donated approximately $65 billion to charitable causes.

Investment Philosophy:

• Began investing at 11; filed first taxes at 13
• Built Berkshire Hathaway from a failing textile mill into a trillion-dollar conglomerate
• Plans to donate 99% of his fortune to charity

Profile:

• Age: 95
• Residence: Omaha, Nebraska
• Change: Up from #11 last month (+$9B)

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Key Observations from the 2025 Billionaire Rankings

1. AI Dominates Wealth Creation

The artificial intelligence race is reshaping fortunes at unprecedented speed. Google's Gemini launch boosted Page and Brin's combined wealth by $57 billion in a single month, while Nvidia's AI chips have made Jensen Huang one of the world's richest people.

2. Tech Founders Rule the Rankings

Nine of the ten wealthiest individuals built their fortunes in technology. Only Bernard Arnault, representing luxury goods, breaks the tech monopoly—highlighting how software, semiconductors, and digital platforms have become the primary wealth generators of our era.

3. American Wealth Concentration

The United States accounts for nine of the top ten positions, reflecting the country's dominance in technology innovation and favorable conditions for building massive enterprises.

4. Volatility at the Top

Seven of the ten richest people saw their rankings shift in just one month, demonstrating how quickly fortunes can change when they're tied to publicly traded companies navigating rapidly evolving markets.

5. The $150B Club

Every member of the top ten commands a fortune exceeding $150 billion—a threshold that was virtually unimaginable a decade ago. This floor demonstrates the acceleration of wealth concentration among the ultra-wealthy.

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Final Thoughts

The December 2025 billionaire rankings illuminate a global economy increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and semiconductor technology. The dramatic reshuffling—with seven of ten positions changing in a single month—demonstrates both the opportunities and risks of building fortunes tied to rapidly evolving tech markets.

As these wealth titans continue their AI investments and strategic maneuvers, the coming years promise even more volatility and potential for new entrants to crack the upper echelons. One pattern remains consistent: those who position themselves at the intersection of technology and transformative change continue to accumulate wealth at rates that outpace all other sectors.

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