Elon Musk Retains Top Spot in Hurun Global Rich List 2025 Despite Major Wealth Drop

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has once again been crowned the world’s richest person, according to the latest Hurun Global Rich List 2025. The 53-year-old billionaire saw his wealth surge by an impressive 82%—a staggering $189 billion increase—following US President Donald Trump’s re-election.

Despite this remarkable gain, Elon Musk’s fortune has taken a significant hit since the January 15, 2025 wealth cut-off date used by the Hurun Research report.

Hurun Global Rich List 2025

The report highlights that his net worth has declined by nearly $100 billion due to several factors, including his growing political activism, his involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and rising competition from Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers impacting Tesla’s stock value.

“Musk has retained his position as the wealthiest person in the world for the fourth time in five years, becoming the first individual to surpass the $400 billion threshold,” the report stated.

Jeff Bezos Holds Off Mark Zuckerberg to Secure Second Place

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, 61, retained his second-place ranking on the Hurun Global Rich List 2025 with a fortune of $266 billion—a substantial 44% increase from the previous year. His rise in wealth has been fueled by Amazon’s soaring stock prices, driven by successful cost-cutting measures, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), and an expanding cloud computing sector.

Meanwhile, Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg, 40, entered the top three for the first time, securing the third position. His net worth climbed by $84 billion to reach $242 billion, bolstered by investor confidence in Meta’s AI-driven innovations and expanding technological infrastructure.

Larry Ellison Climbs to Fourth Place Amid AI Growth

Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, 80, made a notable jump in rankings, securing the fourth spot as his wealth increased by $59 billion to reach $203 billion. His ascent was largely driven by Oracle’s expansion in AI-powered cloud services and strategic partnerships with major tech firms.

Warren Buffett Remains in the Top Five Despite Philanthropic Donations

At 94 years old, investing legend Warren Buffett held onto his top-five ranking with a net worth of $167 billion. Despite his immense fortune, Buffett has continued his long-standing commitment to philanthropy, having already donated more than $60 billion, mainly through the Gates Foundation and his family’s charitable organizations.

Larry Page Rises to Sixth Position as Alphabet Stocks Surge

Google co-founder Larry Page, 51, climbed three spots to secure the sixth place, with his net worth increasing by 33% to $164 billion. His ranking improvement comes amid a significant rally in Alphabet’s stock price, reflecting strong growth in AI and cloud computing.

Bernard Arnault Falls to Seventh as Luxury Demand Slows

French luxury goods tycoon Bernard Arnault, 75, experienced a decline in his fortune, dropping to seventh place with $157 billion—a loss of $18 billion. The downturn in his wealth has been attributed to slowing demand for luxury goods, economic uncertainty in China, and political instability in France affecting LVMH’s stock performance.

Tech Billionaires Secure Spots in the Top 10

• Steve Ballmer, 68, former Microsoft CEO, secured the eighth position with a 10% increase in wealth, bringing his total net worth to $156 billion. His rise can be credited to his continued stake in Microsoft and the company’s growing influence in AI and cloud computing.

• Sergey Brin, 51, co-founder of Google, entered the top 10 with a 30% rise in wealth, reaching $148 billion. His fortune was boosted by Alphabet’s surging stock. Brin has also expanded his philanthropic efforts, donating $200 million last year to climate-related initiatives.

• Bill Gates, 69, rounded out the top 10 with a modest 4% increase, bringing his total net worth to $143 billion. Having significantly reduced his stake in Microsoft (now just 1% from an initial 45%), Gates has increasingly focused on philanthropy and global development projects.

Conclusion

The Hurun Global Rich List 2025 showcases the evolving dynamics of global wealth, with AI, cloud computing, and tech innovation driving significant financial growth for industry leaders. Despite economic uncertainties, geopolitical shifts, and stock market fluctuations, tech moguls continue to dominate the billionaire rankings. With the April 5 TikTok ownership deadline, ongoing tariff negotiations, and continued AI advancements, the financial landscape of the world’s wealthiest individuals remains ever-changing.