The World’s Billionaires list includes a list of the richest people based on an annual ranking calculated by billionaire net worth. Forbes publishes the list annually, it was first created in 1987. Below is the top five billionaires of 2018.
Jeff Bezos
Jeff Bezos is number one on the world’s billionaires list with a total net worth of $112bn. Bezos is the founder, chairman and CEO of Amazon the world’s online retailer to date. Amazon was founded by Bezos in 1994, the company initially started as an online bookstore, then expanded to include a variety of products such as audio and video streaming. Bezos also has other varied business interests, he founded the aerospace company Blue Origin in 2000, which is now developing a reusable rocket which will be able to carry passengers. He also purchased The Washington Post in 2013. He is now the first centi-billionaire to grace Forbes wealth index. Since the list was published Bezos has gone on to total a net worth of $150bn in July 2018.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Bill Gates
In 1975 Bill Gates and Paul Allen launched Microsoft which then became the world’s largest PC company. His net-worth amounts to $90bn which makes him number two on the world’s billionaires list at the age of 62. Gates also sits on the chair with his wife Melinda for the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation, which is the world’s largest private charitable foundation. Their foundation strives to save lives and improve global health as a whole. Now Gates only owns 1% of shares in Microsoft, after giving and selling his shares away. Yet he still remains a board member at the company.
Warren Buffett
Third on the list of world’s billionaires is Warren Buffett the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Buffet has a net worth of $84bn making him the third wealthiest person in the world. He is nicknamed the ‘Oracle of Omaha’ as he is considered one of the most successful investors in the world. Berkshire Hathaway owns more than 60 companies including battery maker Duracell and the restaurant chain Dairy Queen. Buffett first started to buy stocks at the early age of 11 and now he has committed to giving more than 99% to charity.
Bernard Arnault & Family
Bernard Arnault is the CEO of LVMH the world’s largest luxury good company consisting of numerous brands such as Louis Vuitton and Sephora. Arnault’s net worth lies at $85.8bn and as of April 2018 he became the richest person in fashion.
Mark Zuckerberg
Mark Zuckerberg is number fifth on the list of the world’s billionaires with a total net worth of $71bn. He is the CEO and co-founder of Facebook. Yet since July 2018 his stock has plunged by 19% which leaves him with a total net worth of $67.1bn. He still owns 17% of Facebook’s stock. Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan have vowed to give away 99% of their Facebook stake over their lifetimes.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataThe world’s billionaires list 2018 included 259 newcomers and consisted of 2,208 people. It also had a record number of 256 women billionaires on the list. The overall total new worth of the list amounted to $9.1trn.
