The world’s richest people have reached an all-time high, with a record 3,028 billionaires according to Forbes’ latest annual list. The total wealth of these individuals is estimated at $16.1 trillion, a staggering amount that has increased by $2 trillion since last year. Senior editor Chase Peterson-Withorn told Morning Edition that the list includes billionaires from various fields, including technology, finance, and luxury goods.
Forbes puts together the list by gathering information from around 100 reporters worldwide, who scour public records, private companies, art collections, yachts, and other assets to estimate a billionaire’s wealth. While some billionaires do open up to Forbes, others remain tight-lipped, prompting reporters to dig deeper into government registries, legal filings, and offshore registries.
The top 10 billionaires on the list are dominated by tech moguls, with Elon Musk topping the list at $342 billion, followed closely by Mark Zuckerberg ($216 billion) and Jeff Bezos ($215 billion). Other notable billionaires include Bernard Arnault ($178 billion), Warren Buffet ($154 billion), and Amancio Ortega ($124 billion).
Public attitudes towards billionaires have shifted in recent years, with some viewing them as symbols of wealth inequality and others seeing them as job creators and innovators. The presence of billionaires in government has also sparked controversy, with some critics accusing them of having too much influence over policy-making.
Overall, the Forbes list serves as a reminder that billionaire wealth is on the rise, with many individuals amassing enormous fortunes through innovative business ventures and strategic investments.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/04/01/nx-s1-5345950/forbes-billionaires-list