There are a handful of names that consistently appear at the top of the list of the richest individuals in the United States. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, will be the wealthiest individual in the United States in 2024. Musk’s estimated net worth is $251 billion, making him the wealthiest person in the planet.
These individuals amassed their fortune through various means, such as business ownership, investments, and philanthropy. Their achievements have had a significant effect on the economics of their respective nations and regions.
The list of the wealthiest individuals in the United States is evidence of the country’s economic development and prosperity in recent years. As the United States continues to expand, it is likely that the list of the wealthiest Americans will continue to evolve.
Here are some additional details regarding the top 10 wealthiest Americans in 2024
Top 10 Richest People In USA 2024
1. Elon Musk (Tesla, SpaceX) – $251 billion
Musk is the chief executive officer of both Tesla and SpaceX. The technology industry is where he built his fortune as a self-made billionaire. Musk became a significant investor in Tesla Motors (now Tesla) in 2004 and subsequently rose to the position of CEO of the electric vehicle company. Due to its 2016 acquisition of SolarCity, Tesla now produces energy storage systems, auto accoutrements, and solar power systems in addition to electric vehicles. Musk also functions as the company’s chief executive officer and chief engineer. SpaceX is a manufacturer of space launch vehicles.
In 2020, Tesla stock increased by 740 percent, which contributed to Musk’s rise in the wealth rankings. In December 2020, Tesla will be the largest addition to the S&P 500 index. Musk was designated the world’s richest man in January 2021. He held onto it until December 2022, when his net worth decreased due to a decline in the price of Tesla’s shares throughout the year.
2. Jeff Bezos (Amazon) – $151 billion
Jeff Bezos is Amazon’s founder and CEO. He is the richest individual in the world and is recognized for his innovative business strategies. Amazon began by selling books, but it has since transformed into a one-stop shop for everything, and by 2024 it is expected to surpass Walmart as the largest retailer in the world. Bezos took Amazon public for the first time in 1997, and in 1999 he became the first person since Bill Gates to have a fortune exceeding $100 billion.
Bezos resigned as CEO of Amazon in July 2021 to pursue his passion for the space industry. Bezos’s other endeavors include the aerospace company Blue Origin, The Washington Post (which he purchased in 2013), and the 10,000-year timepiece, also known as the Long Now. Bezos, his brother Mark, the pilot Wally Funk, and the Dutch student Oliver Daemen completed Blue Origin’s first successful crewed voyage on July 20, 2021, reaching a height of 66 miles before landing safely.
3. Bill Gates (Microsoft) – $106 billion
Bill Gates is one of Microsoft’s co-founders. He has donated billions of dollars to charity and is one of the most successful businessmen in history.
Microsoft, the largest software company in the world, also manufactures personal computers, provides email services through its Exchange server, and distributes video game consoles and related gaming accessories. Recent expenditures have been substantial for cloud services. In addition, he was instrumental in the microcomputer revolution of the 1970s and 1980s. The preponderance of Bill Gates’ fortune is invested through Cascade Investment LLC. The privately held investment firm Cascade possesses shares of Canadian National Railway (CNR), Deere (DE), and Republic Services (RSG), among others. Additionally, it has unlisted investments in the energy and real estate industries.
4. Larry Ellison (Oracle) – $101 billion
American investor and business magnate Lawrence Joseph Ellison. With a net worth of $101 billion, he ranks fourth on our list of the wealthiest men in America. He co-founded Oracle Corporation in the United States and currently serves as its executive chairman, chief technology officer (CTO), and former chief executive officer (CEO). According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, as of January 13, 2023, his estimated net worth was $98.2 billion, making him the seventh-wealthiest person in the planet. 98% of the time, Ellison possesses Lanai, the sixth-largest island in the Hawaiian Archipelago.
5. Warren Buffett (Berkshire Hathaway) – $97 billion
Buffett serves as chairman and chief executive officer of Berkshire Hathaway. He has amassed a substantial fortune over the years due to his investment expertise. He currently acts as Berkshire Hathaway’s CEO and chairman. He was the fourth richest individual in the world and one of the most successful investors in history as of January 2023. Buffett has been Berkshire Hathaway’s chairman and largest shareholder since 1970. Media agencies on a global scale have referred to him as Omaha’s “Oracle” or “Sage.” Despite his immense fortune and commitment to value investing, he is renowned for his personal frugality.
6. Larry Page (Google) – $93 billion
Google was co-founded by Larry Page. He is a visionary leader who has helped revolutionize how we use the internet. His greatest achievement is co-founding Google with Sergey Brin. Page served as Google’s CEO from 1997 until August 2001. Until December 4, 2019, he was the chief executive officer of Alphabet Inc., a position he assumed in July 2015. He continues to work for Alphabet, own it, and serve on its board. Page amassed substantial wealth as a result of the creation of Google. Additionally, he has sponsored the flying car companies Kitty Hawk and Opener. Page was a co-creator of the Google search ranking algorithm PageRank.
7. Sergey Brin (Google) – $89 billion
Google was co-founded by Sergey Brin. He is a brilliant engineer who contributed to Google becoming the most prominent search engine in the world. Birin and Larry Page co-founded Google in 1998, and he served as its chairman after the company went public in 2004 and changed its name to Alphabet in 2015. Page and Birin are the co-founders of Alphabet and presently have authority over the board members, stakeholders, and employees.
8. Steve Ballmer (Microsoft) – $83 billion
Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is now retired. He has had a significant impact on the technology industry as a prosperous industrialist. Ballmer began working for Microsoft in 1980 as employee number 30, and succeeded Bill Gates as CEO in 2000. When he decided to retire as Google’s CEO on February 4, 2014, Satya Nadela was given the position. Ballmer served on the Microsoft board of directors until August 19, 2014, when he resigned to prepare for a new teaching position.
9. Michael Bloomberg (Bloomberg LP) – $76.8 billion
Michael Bloomberg is the company’s founder and chief executive officer. He is a media magnate and philanthropist who has given billions to charity. He is the co-founder, chief executive officer, and principal owner of Bloomberg L.P. In 2020, while serving as mayor of New York City from 2002 to 2013, he sought for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States. Since June 2022, Bloomberg has been the chairman of the Military Innovation Board and is responsible for its deliberations and decisions. This impartial advisory body provides the US Department of Defense with recommendations regarding the use of software, data, and digital modernization.
10. Jim Walton (Walmart) – $60.8 billion
Jim Walton is the son of Walmart’s founder, Sam Walton. He is a member of one of the wealthiest families in America, the Walton family.