The world’s 10 wealthiest people got nearly half a trillion dollars richer in 2023—and Elon Musk was the biggest winner

Elon Musk and the world’s richest people got a lot richer last year.ANTONIO MASIELLO—GETTY IMAGES

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

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