Among the biggest winners were Jensen Huang, who benefited from the AI boom, and Mark Zuckerberg, despite facing an antitrust fine. Chinese billionaires reversed previous losses, while billionaires under 60 outpaced their older counterparts in wealth growth. Conversely, French luxury billionaires suffered significant losses due to declining sales, and other notable losers included Colin Huang, Ricardo Salinas, Carlos Slim, and Pham Nhat Vuong, who faced various financial setbacks.
Key takeaways:
- The world's 500 richest people reached a combined net worth of $10 trillion in 2024, driven by a strong rally in US technology stocks.
- Elon Musk's wealth surged to $442.1 billion, largely due to his close relationship with President-elect Donald Trump and the performance of his companies.
- The S&P 500 Index gained 24% in 2024, with tech stocks like Tesla, Meta, and Nvidia significantly contributing to its performance.
- French luxury billionaires experienced significant losses in 2024, with a combined $71 billion decline due to slowing sales in the luxury goods sector.