Here's how the richest people in the world got their start. David Suarez/Unsplash (CC0)
While one can argue about the ethics behind owning so much wealth in the world, there’s no denying that billionaires play a supersized role in shaping philanthropy, politics and the global economy.
Beyond their riches, these elites are also innovators in their own space -- whether it be in finance, tech or even space. Often, these billionaires are founders of enterprise giants and multinational companies, with much of their wealth coming from the companies that they started.
If you're wondering how the richest people in the world built their fortune, you've come to the right place. Here are five of the world's wealthiest and how they went from an average joe to a multi-billionaire.
1. Elon Musk (Current net worth: $219B) - Despite being best known as the CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk is not actually the founder of the company and simply bought it after a series of small financial successes. Elon attended a Canadian university to take up physics and economics. Not long after, he launched Zip2 and X.com, which is now known as PayPal Holdings inc. In 2004, he became a major investor in Tesla Motors, an electric vehicle company whose shares soared 740% in 2020, propelling Musk’s wealth to the billionaire status he has now. In January 2021, Musk became the richest person in the world.PATRICK PLEUL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images2. Jeff Bezos (Current net worth: $171B) - Jeff Bezos is the founder, former CEO and executive chairman of tech giant Amazon, which focuses on e-commerce, digital streaming, cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Before achieving much success, Amazon was simply a project in Bezos’ garage, shortly after resigning from hedge fund giant D.E. Shaw. Amazon originally sold books, although it wasn't long before it became a one-stop shop that offers everything under the sun. Amazon’s share price jumping as much as 76% during the pandemic further boosted his fortune. Decades after holding the position, Bezos stepped down as Amazon’s CEO on July 5, 2021. Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic3. Bernard Arnault (Current net worth: $158B) - 73-year-old French national Bernard Arnault is currently the chair and CEO of LVMH, which is currently the largest luxury goods company in the world. The company is responsible for well-known luxury brands like Hennessey, Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs. An engineer by training, Bernard got his start working for his father’s construction firm. He would remain as its chair for many years, making smart investments all the way. He became a majority shareholder in LVMH in 1987, and has grown his wealth exponentially since. ERIC PIERMONT/AFP via Getty Images4. Bill Gates (Current net worth: $129B) - Bill Gates is easily known as the co-founder of Microsoft (along with Paul Allen). He got his start while attending Harvard University in 1975. He eventually dropped out on his junior year to pursue Microsoft as a software for the original microcomputers. Now, Microsoft is the largest software company in the world, making its own line of personal computers, email services, book publishing and video game systems. Gates also owns stocks in Cascade Investment LLC, where a huge chunk of his net worth comes from. He is also co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with his ex-wife, Melinda French Gates.Alexandra Beier/Getty Images5. Warren Buffett (Current net worth: $118B) - At 91 years old, Warren Buffett is easily the most famous living value investor. Known by many to be the “Oracle of Omaha,” Buffett is a buy-and-hold investor who built his fortune by buying undervalued companies that would shoot up after. He got his start at only 14 years old, when he filed his first tax return from his boyhood paper route. From there, he bought shares from a textile company called Berkshire Hathaway and eventually became its majority shareholder. Today, Berkshire Hathaway has a market cap of $705 billion with stocks trading at more than $527,760 as of April 1, 2022. JOHANNES EISELE/AFP via Getty Images
