It paid to be a billionaire in 2023—or at least the top 10. The world’s 10 wealthiest people saw a collective increase in their fortunes in 2023 of nearly half a trillion dollars—a whopping 46% increase, or $465.6 billion. Compare that to an annual gain of 24% by the S&P 500.
The gains were across the board, though no one saw a bigger jump than Elon Musk, who was worth $137 billion on Jan. 2, 2023, and now stands at $229 billion, according to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index. Close behind him in terms of gains was Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg, who jumped from $45.6 billion to $128 billion.
Even billionaires giving away their fortunes saw their net worth increase substantially. Warren Buffett, who gave away $5 billion of his wealth in June of last year and another $870 million in November, is currently worth $13 billion more than he was on Jan. 2, 2023.
Here’s a look at what the world’s 10 richest were worth then and now:
Elon Musk
Net worth on Jan. 2, 2023—$137 billion
Net worth on Jan. 2, 2024—$229 billion
Increase: $92 billion
Bernard Arnault
Net worth on Jan. 2, 2023—$162 billion
Net worth on Jan. 2, 2024—$179 billion
Increase: $17 billion
Jeff Bezos
Net worth on Jan. 2, 2023—$107 billion
Net worth on Jan. 2, 2024—$177 billion
Increase: $70 billion
Bill Gates
Net worth on Jan. 2, 2023—$109 billion
Net worth on Jan. 2, 2024—$141 billion
Increase: $32 billion
Steve Ballmer
Net worth on Jan. 2, 2023—$85.8 billion
Net worth on Jan. 2, 2024—$131 billion
Increase: $45.2 billion
Mark Zuckerberg
Net worth on Jan. 2, 2023—$45.6 billion
Net worth on Jan. 2, 2024—$128 billion
Increase: $82.4 billion
Larry Page
Net worth on Jan. 2, 2023—$82.9 billion
Net worth on Jan. 2, 2024—$126 billion
Increase: $43.1 billion
Larry Ellison
Net worth on Jan. 2, 2023—$91.8 billion
Net worth on Jan. 2, 2024—$123 billion
Increase: $31.2 billion
Sergey Brin
Net worth on Jan. 2, 2023—$79.4 billion
Net worth on Jan. 2, 2024—$120 billion
Increase: $40.6 billion
Warren Buffett
Net worth on Jan. 2, 2023—$107 billion
Net worth on Jan. 2, 2024—$120 billion
Increase: $13 billion
