World's top 10 billionaires: Elon Musk retains first spot; Bezos, Zuckerberg surge in Hurun 2025 rankings

Elon Musk, at 53, regained the title of the wealthiest person in the world for the fourth time in five years, becoming the first individual to cross the US$400 billion milestone as per the Hurun Global Rich List 2025. His wealth surged by US$189 billion (82%), largely driven by a surge in Tesla’s stock, influenced by the ‘Trump effect’. However, since the cutoff date of January 15, 2025, Musk's fortune has declined by about US$100 billion due to his involvement with Dogecoin, political activism, and increasing competition from Chinese firms.

At 61, Jeff Bezos continues to hold the second position with a net worth of US$266 billion, reflecting a 44% increase. This growth was primarily fuelled by a rise in Amazon's stock price, driven by investor optimism surrounding its cost-cutting measures, and the company’s advancements in AI and cloud services.

Mark Zuckerberg, 40, saw a significant surge in his wealth, which rose by US$84 billion to reach US$242 billion. This leap brought him into the top 3 for the first time. His wealth boost is largely due to investor optimism about Meta's progress in artificial intelligence and tech infrastructure.

Larry Ellison, 80, moved up one position with a net worth of US$203 billion, an increase of US$59 billion. The growth is attributed to Oracle’s expansion in AI-powered cloud services and strategic partnerships.

Warren Buffett, aged 94, remains in the top 5 with a net worth of US$167 billion, reflecting an increase of US$23 billion. Despite his wealth, Buffett maintains a modest lifestyle and remains committed to philanthropy, having pledged to donate over 99% of his fortune. He has already contributed over US$60 billion, primarily through the Gates Foundation and other charitable foundations he helped establish.

Larry Page, 51, saw his wealth rise by 33%, reaching US$164 billion. His wealth boost was driven by a 33% surge in Alphabet's stock price, thanks to the company’s continuous growth in digital advertising, AI, and innovation. Page’s notable wealth gain helped him climb three spots in the rankings, reflecting his ongoing leadership in the tech world.

Bernard Arnault, 75, the “Luxury King,” experienced a decline of US$18 billion, dropping him to seventh place with US$157 billion. His wealth is tied to LVMH, which faced challenges due to a slowdown in China’s economy, political instability in France, and resistance against luxury goods.

Steve Ballmer, 68, saw his wealth increase by 10% to US$156 billion, securing the 8th spot in Hurun Global Rich List 2025. The majority of his fortune still comes from his substantial holdings in Microsoft shares. Despite being somewhat overshadowed by others in the tech sector, Ballmer’s wealth continues to grow steadily, reflecting the ongoing strength of Microsoft’s business operations.

Sergey Brin, 51, rose by two spots in the rankings, with his wealth increasing by 30% to US$148 billion. This rise is primarily attributed to a significant increase in Alphabet’s stock price. Brin is also known for his philanthropic work, having donated US$200 million to climate-related causes last year.

Bill Gates, 69, retains his place in the top 10 with a wealth increase of 4%, bringing his net worth to US$143 billion. Over the years, Gates has shifted his focus from Microsoft, reducing his stake from 45% to just 1%. Now, his wealth is primarily generated from investments in various sectors, including clean energy and global health initiatives. Gates continues to focus on philanthropy through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.