As 2025 unfolds, a dramatic shake-up in the global wealth rankings has emerged. Elon Musk, the world’s richest person just a year ago, now finds himself in a surprising position in the list of the top 10 wealthiest individuals. Despite a significant rebound in his fortune earlier this year, Musk’s empire has been rattled by a sharp decline in Tesla’s stock price, growing protests, and his political entanglements.Now, the gap between the richest person in the world and the second place holder has widened significantly, signaling a potentially pivotal shift in the balance of global wealth.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk’s $400 billion fortune has been one of the most meteoric rises in modern history. The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Musk’s wealth skyrocketed during the last decade, driven by the explosive growth of Tesla’s stock, the success of his aerospace company SpaceX, and his increasing dominance in technology ventures, including artificial intelligence and social media.
In December 2024, Musk even became the first person in history to amass a $400 billion net worth.However, as 2025 progresses, the picture has shifted dramatically. Musk’s net worth currently stands at $342 billion, which still makes him one of the richest people on Earth but places him far below the top spot.Despite the continued success of SpaceX and its valuation reaching new heights, Tesla’s stock has taken a significant hit—down by 40% in just two months, a dramatic drop that can be largely attributed to protests against Musk’s leadership in both the private and political spheres.Tesla, which has long been a symbol of Musk’s empire, has faced massive criticism due to his political involvement, particularly his leadership in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The mass layoffs and drastic cuts to government spending implemented through DOGE have sparked nationwide protests, leading to a loss of consumer trust.These protests have also impacted the stock prices of Tesla, as many consumers have begun calling for boycotts of the brand. Musk’s critics argue that his political ventures are compromising the core values that made Tesla so popular in the first place.Despite the chaos surrounding him, Musk remains determined. “I think we will have accomplished most of the work required to reduce the deficit by $1 trillion within that time frame,” Musk said in a recent interview, referring to his role in DOGE.However, his decision to step down from his position at DOGE by May 2025 reflects his desire to shift focus back to his businesses, a move likely driven by the financial pressures weighing on him.
Mark Zuckerberg
Mark Zuckerberg, the founder and CEO of Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook), has achieved a significant milestone this year. With a net worth of $216 billion, Zuckerberg has surpassed Jeff Bezos to claim the second position on the global wealth list. His rise comes as Meta’s stock has surged nearly 25% over the past year, driven by investor optimism surrounding the company’s investments in artificial intelligence.Zuckerberg’s wealth surge also reflects the growing confidence in his leadership at Meta, especially with the company’s long-term pivot to the metaverse. Despite some early challenges with the company’s ventures into virtual reality, the market has been increasingly optimistic about Meta’s future, and Zuckerberg has been able to capitalize on that momentum.Zuckerberg’s success is notable because, while Musk has faced significant turmoil, the Meta founder has remained largely insulated from major controversies. The company’s focus on artificial intelligence and its growing presence in emerging tech spaces have allowed Zuckerberg to maintain his position in the upper echelons of global wealth.However, there are also whispers that the long-term profitability of Meta’s AI investments will be crucial in maintaining this growth trajectory.
Jeff Bezos
Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, has maintained his spot in the top 3 richest people in the world with a net worth of $215 billion. Bezos co-founded Amazon in 1994 and turned it into the e-commerce juggernaut it is today.Though he stepped down as CEO in 2021, his continued influence at Amazon as Executive Chairman has helped the company retain its dominance.Despite the overall slowdown in global e-commerce growth, Bezos’ net worth has increased by $21 billion over the past year, primarily due to the solid performance of Amazon’s cloud computing division, AWS.Bezos has also been diversifying his wealth into various startups, particularly those in the space sector, with his company Blue Origin.Bezos, who has become somewhat of a reclusive figure compared to Musk and Zuckerberg, continues to be a major player in the global tech scene. His growing interest in space exploration, philanthropy, and sustainable tech has also kept him in the public eye, but without the personal controversies that have affected Musk and Zuckerberg in recent years.
Larry Ellison
Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle, has seen a remarkable jump in his net worth over the last year. With $192 billion, Ellison has moved up the ranks, benefiting from Oracle’s success as it continues to dominate in enterprise software and cloud computing.Ellison’s wealth surged by $51 billion due to a 40% increase in Oracle’s stock price, and the company’s expansion into AI and other emerging technologies has fueled this growth.Ellison, who owns a significant portion of Oracle, remains a quiet force in the tech industry. His influence, while often overshadowed by younger tech moguls like Musk and Zuckerberg, remains robust, and his business acumen has helped Oracle adapt to shifting market dynamics.
