The Elite $100 Billion Club

The Elite $100 Billion Club: Meet the World’s Wealthiest Individuals

Introduction
The $100 Billion Club represents an ultra-exclusive circle of billionaires with 12-figure fortunes, showcasing the staggering growth of global wealth. This year, the club boasts a record 14 members, a monumental rise from just six last year and a lone centibillionaire in 2020. Many owe their fortunes to the booming tech industry, while others thrive in luxury, finance, and diversified businesses.

As the global billionaire population has grown 120% over the last decade, this elite group’s wealth has surged by 255%, outpacing inflation (up 32%) and even the S&P 500 (up 182%). Collectively worth $2 trillion, these 14 individuals represent just 0.5% of the world’s 2,781 billionaires but control an impressive 14% of total billionaire wealth.

The Growth of Mega-Wealth
The idea of a $100 billion fortune once seemed unattainable. Back in 1987, when Forbes published its first global wealth ranking, the list included just two individuals worth over $10 billion (approximately $27 billion in today’s dollars).

It wasn’t until the dot-com boom that Microsoft’s Bill Gates briefly became the first centibillionaire in 1999, only to lose that status after the bubble burst. Jeff Bezos reignited the trend in 2017, with Amazon’s meteoric rise pushing him into the club. The ranks expanded further in 2021 with Elon Musk, Bernard Arnault, and Gates joining the fold. Today, the $100 Billion Club is no longer a rarity, and more members are on the horizon, including L’Oréal heiress Françoise Bettencourt Meyers and tech mogul Michael Dell.

The 14 Titans of Wealth
Here’s a closer look at the exclusive members of the $100 Billion Club, ranked by their net worth (as of March 2024):

14. Carlos Slim Helú

• Net Worth: $102 Billion
• Source of Wealth: Telecom
• Citizenship: Mexico
  The Mexican telecom magnate has seen his fortune surge thanks to a strong peso and a 60% rise in shares of his conglomerate, Grupo Carso.

13. Amancio Ortega

• Net Worth: $103 Billion
• Source of Wealth: Zara
• Citizenship: Spain
  With a booming real estate portfolio and a 43% jump in Inditex (Zara’s parent company) shares, Ortega’s wealth has soared by $26 billion this year.

12. Michael Bloomberg

• Net Worth: $106 Billion
• Source of Wealth: Bloomberg LP
• Citizenship: U.S.
  The media mogul and former NYC mayor has pledged to donate his 88% stake in Bloomberg LP to philanthropy, cementing his legacy.

11. Sergey Brin & 10. Larry Page

• Net Worths: $110 Billion & $114 Billion
• Source of Wealth: Google
• Citizenship: U.S.
  The Google cofounders remain key shareholders, with Brin making headlines for his involvement in AI innovation.

9. Mukesh Ambani

• Net Worth: $116 Billion
• Source of Wealth: Reliance Industries
• Citizenship: India
  Asia’s richest person owes his wealth to Reliance’s diversified portfolio, spanning oil, telecom, and retail.

8. Steve Ballmer

• Net Worth: $121 Billion
• Source of Wealth: Microsoft
• Citizenship: U.S.
  The Los Angeles Clippers owner continues to see his wealth grow alongside Microsoft’s stock value.

7. Bill Gates

• Net Worth: $128 Billion
• Source of Wealth: Microsoft
• Citizenship: U.S.
  Despite significant philanthropy, Gates remains one of the world’s wealthiest, ranking lower due to fierce competition at the top.

6. Warren Buffett

• Net Worth: $133 Billion
• Source of Wealth: Berkshire Hathaway
• Citizenship: U.S.
  The legendary investor’s wealth continues to grow, with Berkshire Hathaway shares hitting record highs.

5. Larry Ellison

• Net Worth: $141 Billion
• Source of Wealth: Oracle
• Citizenship: U.S.
  Ellison’s Oracle holdings and dividends, combined with a diversified portfolio, have boosted his fortune by $34 billion.

4. Mark Zuckerberg

• Net Worth: $177 Billion
• Source of Wealth: Meta
• Citizenship: U.S.
  Zuckerberg’s aggressive AI and metaverse investments have helped Meta rebound, making him wealthier than ever.

3. Jeff Bezos

• Net Worth: $194 Billion
• Source of Wealth: Amazon
• Citizenship: U.S.
  The Amazon founder has seen a $93 billion jump in his fortune this year, fueled by soaring stock prices.

2. Elon Musk

• Net Worth: $195 Billion
• Source of Wealth: Tesla, SpaceX
• Citizenship: U.S.
  Musk’s rollercoaster wealth is bolstered by SpaceX’s valuation but hindered by challenges with X (formerly Twitter) and Tesla.

1. Bernard Arnault

• Net Worth: $233 Billion
• Source of Wealth: LVMH
• Citizenship: France
  The king of luxury goods retains his spot as the richest person on the planet, with LVMH delivering record profits.

The Future of Wealth

As global wealth continues to expand, the $100 Billion Club is poised to welcome new members. The growing influence of these billionaires underscores the ever-widening gap in wealth distribution, leaving the rest of the world marveling at the staggering figures in this exclusive circle.

For the latest updates on global wealth and economic trends, visit GlobalWorldCitizen.com.