Find out who the richest man in the world was for the last two years and discover what life looks like from the top!
Over the past two years, the global economy has experienced a great deal of uncertainty and instability.
Despite this, some individuals have managed to thrive and even increase their wealth during this time.
Among these individuals are the world's richest people. While there are many contenders for this title, only one person can hold it at any given time.
In this article, we will explore who has held the title of the richest person in the world over the last two years.
We will take a closer look at their net worth, how they accumulated their wealth, and what industries they are involved in.
Who is The Richest Man in The World?
Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, has been consistently named the richest man in the world.
According to Forbes' Real-Time Billionaires list, his net worth stands at $177 billion as of July 2021. Bezos' wealth comes from his ownership of nearly 11% of Amazon's shares and other investments such as The Washington Post and Blue Origin.
However, Bezos is not the only billionaire who has topped Forbes' annual list over the years.
Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, held the title for many years until he was surpassed by Bezos in 2018.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, briefly held the title in January 2021 before being overtaken by Bezos once again.
Despite criticisms about their immense wealth and income inequality around the world, these billionaires continue to amass great fortunes through their businesses and investments.
As long as they maintain their success in their respective industries, it is likely that we will continue to see these names appear on top of lists ranking global wealth.
Top 5 Richest People:
As of 2021, the top five richest people in the world are Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Bernard Arnault & family, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg.
Jeff Bezos is currently the wealthiest person on the planet with a net worth of $177 billion.
He founded Amazon in 1994 and has since expanded it into one of the world's largest online retailers.
Elon Musk takes second place with a net worth of $151 billion.
He is known for his innovative ideas and companies such as Tesla Motors, SpaceX, Neuralink, and The Boring Company.
Bernard Arnault & family comes in third with a net worth of $150 billion due to their ownership of luxury goods conglomerate LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.
Bill Gates holds fourth place with a net worth of $124 billion.
He co-founded Microsoft Corporation in 1975 and helped revolutionize personal computing as we know it today.
Finally, Mark Zuckerberg rounds out the top five at $97 billion thanks to his creation of Facebook- now one of the most prominent social media platforms globally used by millions daily.
Despite their vast wealth each person continues to make significant impacts on various industries worldwide through their investments and philanthropic efforts towards society's betterment.
Overview of Forbes' rich list
Forbes' rich list is a yearly ranking of the world's wealthiest individuals compiled and published by Forbes magazine.
The list features the names of billionaires from various countries across the globe who have made their fortunes through different types of businesses, investments, and other means.
The rankings are based on several factors such as net worth, assets, industry presence, and philanthropic activities.
The current richest man in the world according to Forbes' rich list is Elon Musk with a net worth estimated at $197 billion as of October 2021.
He has surpassed other business magnates like Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates due to his success with Tesla, SpaceX, and other ventures.
Other notable names on the list include Warren Buffett, Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Ellison, and Larry Page.
Forbes' rich list not only reflects individual wealth but also provides insight into global economic trends and development.
It showcases how some industries such as technology have become more dominant in recent years while others like oil have experienced declines.
The annual publication of the rich list has gained widespread attention over time for its ability to capture both societal fascinations with wealth as well as changes in global financial dynamics.
Jeff Bezos:
Jeff Bezos, who is the founder and CEO of Amazon, is currently the richest man in the world.
His net worth has been estimated to be over $130 billion, making him a billionaire many times over.
Bezos started Amazon as an online bookstore in 1994 and grew it into one of the largest retailers on Earth.
Under his leadership, Amazon expanded into various industries including cloud computing, streaming services, and artificial intelligence.
The company's domination in e-commerce has made Bezos one of the most influential figures in business today.
Despite criticism from workers' rights advocates and scrutiny from lawmakers due to his immense wealth and market power concentration, Bezos remains a prominent figure not only in tech but also in philanthropy through initiatives such as The Day One Fund which helps combat homelessness.
Amazon's founder and net worth
Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, is one of the wealthiest people on Earth.
In fact, he has held the title of "richest man in the world" multiple times and his net worth continues to grow. As of 2021, Bezos has an estimated net worth of over $177 billion USD.
Bezos founded Amazon in 1994 as an online bookstore and quickly expanded into a wide range of products and services.
Today, Amazon is one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world with operations in multiple countries.
Bezos' success with Amazon has made him a household name and a symbol of modern entrepreneurship.
Despite his enormous wealth, Bezos is also known for his philanthropic efforts.
In 2018, he launched the Day One Fund which aims to help homeless families and create high-quality preschools in low-income communities.
Additionally, Bezos pledged $10 billion towards fighting climate change through his new initiative called "Bezos Earth Fund."
Overall, Jeff Bezos' story serves as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs around the world who dream big and are willing to take risks to achieve their goals.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk is one of the most prominent figures in the tech industry and has been named the richest man in the world for a brief period of time.
He is known for his innovative ideas and ambitious projects, which include SpaceX, Tesla, Neuralink, and The Boring Company.
His work in these areas has earned him a net worth that exceeded $200 billion at one point.
Musk's rise to wealth and fame started with his co-founding of PayPal, which revolutionized online payment systems.
Since then, he has continued to innovate in various fields by developing electric cars that are affordable for consumers through Tesla, launching rockets into space with SpaceX, creating tunnels to alleviate traffic congestion with The Boring Company, and exploring new ways to connect human brains directly to computers with Neuralink.
Despite criticism from some quarters over his handling of certain issues such as safety concerns at Tesla factories or questionable tweets on social media platforms like Twitter that have drawn controversy around topics ranging from COVID-19 lockdowns to cryptocurrency trading – there can be little doubt that Elon Musk is one of the most influential individuals today who continues to shape our world in significant ways.
Bill Gates:
Bill Gates is a name that has almost become synonymous with the concept of being rich and successful.
Currently listed as the third richest person in the world by Forbes, Gates was once considered to be the richest man on earth for over two decades, before being overtaken by Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk.
Being a co-founder of Microsoft Corporation along with Paul Allen, he created an empire worth billions that changed the way we use technology today.
Gates' journey to success is nothing less than an inspiration.
He dropped out of Harvard University to start his own company in 1975, which later became one of the world's largest software companies.
Over time, his business acumen has allowed him not only to amass wealth but also to contribute significantly to society through philanthropic endeavors.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has donated billions towards healthcare initiatives, education programs, and various other causes across the globe.
Despite facing criticism from some quarters for his business practices at Microsoft or his philanthropic initiatives, it cannot be denied that Bill Gates remains one of the most influential figures in modern history.
From revolutionizing personal computing to fighting diseases like malaria and polio globally; there's no doubt that he has left an indelible mark on both technology and society alike.
Microsoft's co-founder and philanthropist
Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, is one of the most influential and wealthiest people in the world.
He has dedicated his life to philanthropy and has donated billions of dollars through his foundation, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The foundation aims to improve healthcare, reduce extreme poverty, and increase access to education worldwide.
Gates became a billionaire at an early age when he co-founded Microsoft with Paul Allen in 1975.
Microsoft revolutionized the computer industry by creating software that made personal computers accessible to everyone.
The company grew rapidly, making Gates one of the wealthiest people in the world for decades.
However, despite his immense wealth and success in business, Gates is best known for his philanthropic work.
He believes that it is important to use his wealth to make a positive impact on society, rather than just accumulating more money.
His dedication to improving healthcare and reducing poverty has saved millions of lives around the world and inspired many others to follow in his footsteps.
Bernard Arnault:
Bernard Arnault is a French entrepreneur who is the chairman and CEO of LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton SE.
With a net worth of $194.9 billion, he currently holds the title of the richest man in the world as per Forbes' Real-Time Billionaires List.
He has been a part of LVMH since 1984 and has played an instrumental role in its growth over the years.
Arnault's success can be attributed to his business acumen and strategic investments in luxury brands such as Christian Dior, Fendi, Givenchy, and many others that come under LVMH's umbrella.
Apart from being an astute businessman, he is also known for his philanthropic efforts through the Fondation Louis Vuitton.
Despite facing criticism for his immense wealth and alleged tax evasion practices, Arnault continues to be a prominent figure in the global luxury industry with no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Fashion empire owner and luxury brand collector
One of the most successful fashion empire owners and luxury brand collectors in the world is Bernard Arnault.
The French billionaire is currently the richest man in the world with a net worth of over $200 billion dollars.
Arnault is the CEO of LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy), which owns some of the most prestigious luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Fendi, Celine, and Givenchy.
Arnault’s love for luxury brands goes beyond his business ventures.
He has an extensive personal collection of art pieces from renowned artists like Picasso and Yves Klein.
He also has a collection of vintage cars that includes a 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Atlantic, one of only four ever made.
Despite being one of the wealthiest people on earth, Arnault remains humble about his success.
In interviews, he often attributes his achievements to hard work and dedication to his craft.
His passion for fashion and obsession with quality has earned him respect within the industry and admiration from peers around the globe.
Mark Zuckerberg:
Mark Zuckerberg is one of the most successful entrepreneurs of our time, and his net worth reflects that.
As of 2021, he is currently ranked as the fifth richest man in the world with an estimated net worth of $125 billion.
The majority of his wealth comes from his ownership stake in Facebook, which he co-founded back in 2004.
Despite facing numerous controversies throughout his career, including data breaches and concerns over privacy issues on Facebook, Zuckerberg has remained at the helm of the company and continues to drive it forward.
He has also been heavily involved in philanthropic efforts through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, which focuses on advancing human potential and promoting equality.
Zuckerberg's success has made him a household name around the world and a source of inspiration for many aspiring entrepreneurs.
His story serves as a reminder that anyone can achieve great things with hard work, determination, and a willingness to take risks.
Facebook's co-founder and social media giant
Facebook's co-founder, Mark Zuckerberg, is now one of the richest men in the world.
As the CEO of Facebook, he has successfully turned a small social networking site into a global phenomenon with over 2.8 billion monthly active users.
Alongside his success with Facebook, Zuckerberg has also been heavily involved in philanthropic efforts through his Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative, which focuses on areas such as education and scientific research.
Despite Facebook's immense popularity and financial success, it has also faced various controversies during its existence.
One major issue was the Cambridge Analytica scandal in 2018 when it was revealed that millions of Facebook users' data had been harvested without their consent for political purposes.
This incident led to increased scrutiny over how social media companies handle user data and sparked discussions about regulating these platforms.
Despite these challenges, Zuckerberg remains a prominent figure in the tech industry and continues to lead Facebook toward future growth and innovation.
With his wealth and influence, many will be keeping a close eye on his next moves both within and outside of the company he helped create.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the last 2 years have seen some major shifts in the list of the richest people in the world. Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and Bernard Arnault have all taken turns at the top spot, with their fortunes fluctuating wildly.
While it's fascinating to see who comes out on top, it's important to remember that these individuals represent a tiny fraction of the global population and that inequality remains a pressing issue for many around the world.
As we move forward into an uncertain future, it's crucial that we continue to work toward creating a more equitable society for everyone.
Let's strive to build a world where wealth is distributed fairly and opportunities are available to all.
The ever-changing wealth rankings
In the last two years, the title of the richest man in the world has been a revolving door. In 2019, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos held the top spot for most of the year with a net worth of over $100 billion.
However, in November 2019, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates briefly regained his status as the wealthiest person on earth due to an increase in Microsoft's stock price.
In early 2020, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, surpassed both Bezos and Gates to become the world's richest person with a net worth of over $185 billion.
However, this title was short-lived as a dip in Tesla's stock caused his ranking to drop back down behind Bezos.
As we move into 2021, it remains uncertain who will hold onto their wealth rankings.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up industries and markets worldwide and could potentially cause significant changes in billionaires' net worths.
Only time will tell who will come out on top as the ever-changing wealth rankings continue to fluctuate.