The 10 Richest Americans in 2024 (and How Much They’re Worth)
Wondering where you stack up compared to the wealthiest Americans? We’ve got your back. According to the recently released Forbes 400 list, which analyzed public financial documents, stock market performance, and private assets, the richest Americans continue to amass head-spinning fortunes. From tech moguls like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos to investment legend Warren Buffett, these 10 individuals are reshaping entire industries, with many familiar names remaining at the top.
Here’s a closer look at the 10 richest Americans of 2024 and how they make their billions.
1. Elon Musk
Net Worth: $244 billion
Though no stranger to controversy thanks to his outspoken presence on social media and IRL, Musk continues to build massive wealth with his ventures at Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter). His investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and space exploration helped to further boost his fortune. The tech titan has topped Forbes’ list for the third year in a row.
2. Jeff Bezos
Net Worth: $197 billion
On the heels of Musk (technically behind by $47 billion, but who’s counting) is fellow tech guru and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Despite stepping down as CEO in July 2021, Bezos’ holdings in Amazon and ventures like Blue Origin keep him well on top. His wealth grew alongside the e-commerce and cloud computing booms, where Amazon remains dominant.
3. Mark Zuckerberg
Net Worth: $181 billion
Despite facing legal challenges with Meta (formerly Facebook), the tech giant’s wealth remains substantial through his dominance in social media and within the metaverse and virtual reality universes. He’s also invested heavily in AI. Zuckerberg’s philanthropic efforts include the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative, which focuses on pioneering science and education to kids.
4. Larry Ellison
Net Worth: $175 billion
As Oracle’s co-founder and CTO, Ellison has amassed massive wealth thanks to the rise of cloud computing services. He’s also profited from his investments in Tesla and real estate, particularly his island of Lanai in Hawaii (you know, just your average rich person purchase). Ellison has consistently remained a top name in tech and has been on the Forbes 400 list for decades.
5. Warren Buffett
Net Worth: $150 billion
Warren Buffet, legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, remains a key figure in business and finance. Known for his conservative, long-term investment strategies, Buffett has continued to grow his wealth at a steady pace. Compared to some of the other (dare we say greedy?) names on this list, he has pledged to give away most of his Berkshire Hathaway stock to charity.
6. Larry Page
Net Worth: $136 billion
A co-founder of Google, Page’s fortune stems from Alphabet’s (Google’s parent company) global dominance in advertising and search technology. He also continues to invest in cutting-edge projects like AI and autonomous (self-driving) vehicles. Despite choosing to maintain a low public profile, Page has played a critical role in shaping the modern digital landscape.
7. Sergey Brin
Net Worth: $130 billion
Brin, the other co-founder of Google, reclaimed his spot as the seventh richest person in America due to Alphabet’s continued growth, particularly in its core businesses of advertising and cloud services. Beyond Google, Brin has also invested heavily in tech startups focused on AI, renewable energy, and blockchain technology.
8. Steve Ballmer
Net Worth: $123 billion
As the former CEO of Microsoft and current owner of the LA Clippers, Ballmer has grown his fortune through his ventures in tech and sports. After buying the franchise in 2014 for a record $2 billion, he harnessed his business acumen to transform the Clippers into a highly valued NBA team. He’s also invested in modernizing sports arenas to enhance the fan experience.
9. Bill Gates
Net Worth: $107 billion
The Microsoft co-founder’s wealth is sustained largely by his investments, even as he shifts his focus to philanthropy and charity through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Despite stepping away from Microsoft’s day-to-day operations, his influence in global health and tech remains strong. Gates has been featured on the Forbes list since its inception in 1982.
10. Michael Bloomberg
Net Worth: $105 billion
Bloomberg, the co-founder of financial data and media company Bloomberg LP, continues to grow his wealth through various ventures across industries like finance and real estate. The former mayor of New York City also remains active in both business and philanthropy, and has used his fortune to influence political causes and charitable initiatives.
He famously spent over $1 billion of his own money to run for president in 2020. Despite bowing out after just four months, the campaign showcased Bloomberg’s ability to harness his vast resources to influence U.S. politics.