As the end of 2024 is fast approaching, the world’s wealthiest individuals stand at the forefront of global influence, their fortunes growing alongside their impacts on technology, media, space, music and beyond. From tech titans to pioneering investors and a pop icon, these billionaires are reshaping the world economy while setting new standards for wealth and power. From luxury to entertainment, this diverse group features both household names and lesser-known magnates whose influence transcends their net worth, inspiring new perspectives on wealth as we head into 2025.

Taylor Swift: Entertainment Powerhouse

Swift has built a media empire through record-breaking tours, shrewd intellectual property management, and successful investments. As one of the highest-earning artistes, she is a cultural icon and a billionaire who exemplifies how entertainment and business acumen can combine for monumental influence. As LUXUO reported earlier this year, Swift’s six shows in Los Angeles in August created 3,300 jobs and spurred USD 160 million for the city revenue. Regionally, the partnership between the Singapore Tourism Board and Taylor Swift involved a payment of up to USD 3 million for each of her concerts to keep the shows exclusive to Singapore, attracting fans from all across the region and causing a surge of 20 percent in passenger traffic compared to the previous year. In response, a plethora of local businesses and hotels had capitalised on the large influx of tourists, offering themed merchandise, experiences and packages inspired by Swift.

Read More: Taylor Swift: A New Era of Music Business

Jeff Bezos: E-commerce Mogul and Space Innovator

As the founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos transformed global retail and redefined the possibilities of e-commerce, taking it from a small online bookstore to one of the most valuable companies in the world. His relentless focus on customer experience, logistics innovation, and data-driven decision-making set new industry standards and reshaped how people shop. Beyond e-commerce, Bezos’s ambitious venture — Blue Origin — is pioneering space tourism and deep-space exploration, positioning humanity to reach new frontiers. Bezos has invested heavily in sustainable initiatives and technological advancements, including AI and cloud computing, cementing his legacy as a visionary who continually pushes the boundaries of innovation across industries. His impact on modern commerce and space exploration underscores his role as one of the most influential figures shaping the 21st century.

Bernard Arnault: Luxury Industry Mogul

As Chairman and CEO of LVMH, Bernard Arnault has overseen the world’s largest luxury conglomerate, which includes some of the world’s largest brands. Arnault’s keen eye for acquiring and nurturing luxury maisons has been instrumental in transforming LVMH into a powerhouse that not only defines but also continually elevates the standards of high fashion, fine jewellery, cosmetics, wines and spirits. It is with this innovation that Bernard Arnault has also taken on many lucrative partnerships — including securing a landmark 10-year global partnership with Formula 1 — most recently being the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games where the billionaire was a sponsor in a first-of-its-kind deal that came with a USD 166 million (or approx.  EUR 150 million) payout.

Known for his strategic acumen, Arnault has guided LVMH through complex economic climates, ensuring that it remains resilient and continues to attract customers worldwide. Arnault’s influence has expanded beyond products as he has become a central figure in the global cultural landscape, championing art, architecture, and philanthropy. His legacy is one of enduring elegance and business acumen, shaping not only the luxury industry but also the broader conception of global prestige and exclusivity. It is this legacy that he is extending to the next generation of Arnaults as he plans his next chapter of expansion.

Read More: Could LVMH’s CEO Reshuffle Be The Key to Higher Long-Term Revenues?

Mukesh Ambani: Telecommunications and Retail Visionary

As chairman of Reliance Industries, Mukesh Ambani has redefined the landscape of telecommunications and retail in India, transforming his conglomerate into a powerhouse with global influence. Ambani’s Jio revolutionised mobile internet access for millions of Indians, setting a new benchmark for digital connectivity in emerging markets. His ventures extend beyond telecom — with significant investments in retail, energy, and entertainment, aligning Reliance with India’s vision for a technologically advanced future.

Ambani’s impact resonates far beyond his empire’s balance sheets, positioning him as a key figure in both the Indian and global economies, and a visionary in shaping modern consumer culture. His legacy was catapulted into the spotlight with the wedding of his son. While the Ambani family never did disclose an official guest list, the celebrations held in their ancestral home and a four-day Mediterranean cruise reportedly saw the attendance of over 1,200 guests, where singer-songwriter Katy Perry performed at a masquerade ball in Cannes, France. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Ivanka Trump, alongside many Bollywood stars were also photographed at the event.

Francoise Bettencourt Meyers: Beauty Heiress and Philanthropist

The L’Oréal heiress and one of the world’s richest women, Bettencourt Meyers oversees a vast beauty empire, merging tradition with modernity. Her role extends to philanthropy, with a focus on science, arts, and women’s causes, reinforcing her influence in both business and social impact. Françoise Bettencourt Meyers has continued her family’s beauty legacy with a balance of respect for tradition and vision for the future. Leading one of the world’s largest cosmetics empires, she has steered L’Oréal into a new era of sustainability, scientific innovation, and global influence. Her philanthropic reach is equally powerful, with a dedication to supporting scientific research, the arts, and women’s empowerment. Bettencourt Meyers embodies a legacy of not only business success but also meaningful social contribution, shaping the beauty industry while uplifting communities worldwide.

Elon Musk: Tech Visionary and Space Pioneer

Love him or hate him, Elon Musk is a visionary — albeit for better or worse. Despite his often polarising presence, Elon Musk’s impact as a technology pioneer is undeniable. His buying of Twitter and its subsequent rebranding follows the likes of some of Musk’s other six companies including “SpaceX” and “xAi”; an alphabet he has a longstanding affinity with. As CEO and founder of SpaceX and Tesla, he has reshaped industries from electric vehicles to commercial space travel, paving the way toward a future defined by sustainability and exploration. His ventures extend into artificial intelligence and the potential “colonisation” of Mars, marking him as one of the most ambitious visionaries of our time. Musk’s legacy is a complex blend of daring innovation and boundary-pushing, with lasting implications for both humanity’s technological advancement and its ethical considerations.

That being said, Musk’s entrepreneurial prowess comes with a volatile track record. His aggressive start-up approach and rush to scale particularly with Tesla and Twitter often comes at the expense of his softwear engineers. His USD 44 billion acquisition of Twitter in 2022 saw 50 Tesla employees move to Twitter. As for Tesla, the Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS) downgraded Tesla’s valuation after reporting that price cuts were taking their toll on margins despite “getting it right” on pricing, production and technology. In 2023’s second quarter Tesla achieved USD 24.9 billion in sales and USD 0.91 earnings per share which is why Forbes called its USD 820 billion valuation a “disconenct from reality”.

Read More: Twitter’s Rebranding Cements Elon Musk’s Legacy As One Of The Most Influential Tech Magnates Of All Time 

Zhang Yiming: Global Tech Influence

With a net worth of USD 45.6 billion, Zhang Yiming is the co-founder of ByteDance — the Chinese tech giant that has revolutionised global media consumption. Best known for its flagship app TikTok, which boasts over 1 billion active users worldwide, ByteDance has diversified into various sectors, including e-commerce, education, gaming, and news.

Zhang’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2012 when he founded ByteDance from a modest four-bedroom apartment in Beijing. Since then, his company has become a titan of technology, driven by its emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI). TikTok’s success is a testament to Zhang’s innovative approach to content creation and distribution, merging entertainment with social interaction in ways that span across cultures and regions. In 2021, Zhang stepped down as CEO and chairman of ByteDance, reportedly under pressure from the Chinese government, but his legacy as a pioneer in AI-driven tech continues to resonate. Zhang’s legacy as a billionaire is characterised by his reshaping of global media, social engagement, and entertainment. His work has had a lasting impact on the way people consume digital content, with ByteDance’s innovations influencing everything from social networking to news media and beyond.

Gina Rinehart: Mining Magnate

As one of the world’s wealthiest women, Gina Rinehart has transformed Hancock Prospecting into a mining powerhouse while championing sustainable practices and future-oriented resource management. Her efforts have not only propelled Australia’s mining industry but have set a benchmark for environmental stewardship and innovation in resource extraction. Rinehart’s legacy is grounded in a commitment to both industry leadership and sustainable practices, securing her role as an influential figure in global mining.

According to a Forbes profile, Hancock’s most valuable asset is the Roy Hill mining operation, which began shipping to Asia in 2015. She has successfully repaid the USD 7.2 billion debt incurred for the project. Rinehart has also made notable investments in rare earth minerals and the gas industry. Additionally, she is Australia’s second-largest cattle producer, with an extensive property portfolio nationwide. In December 2023, Hancock Prospecting partnered with Chilean company SQM to launch a USD 1.1 billion bid to acquire the lithium company Azure Minerals in Western Australia.

Rinehart — who is worth more than USD 22 billion and is in 84th place on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index — recently made headlines when she demanded the removal of a portrait of herself by First Nations artist Vincent Namatjira from the National Gallery of Australia. The painting — part of a career retrospective — depicts Rinehart in a satirical, distorted style alongside other prominent figures. Despite her protests, the controversy has increased the portrait’s visibility, highlighting the tension between billionaire influence and artistic freedom.

David Steward: Tech Visionary

According to the 2024 Forbes 400 list, David Steward has a net worth of USD 11.4 billion —  up from USD 7.6 billion in 2023 and USD 6 billion the previous year. The 73-year-old stands as one of the wealthiest Black billionaires and a visionary in the IT solutions sector and is the majority owner of World Wide Technology (WWT), which he co-founded in 1990. WWT, an IT service provider, had sales of USD 17 billion in 2023, serving clients like Apple, Citi, and the federal government. Steward is one of four black members on the 2024 list, which required a minimum net worth of USD 3.3 billion.

Beyond his business and entrepreneurial success, Steward is deeply committed to diversity and inclusion, creating opportunities for minority-owned businesses in tech. His legacy is one of pioneering technology leadership and fostering a more inclusive future for the IT industry, leaving an indelible mark on both technology and social progress. Steward’s journey from a segregated upbringing to becoming a self-made billionaire is a testament to his resilience. He grew up in Missouri with seven siblings and initially worked in sales before starting his first business. Over the years, WWT’s success has propelled Steward into the ranks of the wealthiest Americans.

Rihanna: Entrepreneur, Musician andand Cultural Icon

Rihanna has transformed her career from a global music icon to a powerhouse entrepreneur, reshaping the beauty and fashion industries with her inclusive approach. Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty has dominated the beauty industry since its debut in 2017, experiencing remarkable growth. She has become the most successful musician-turned-beauty mogul, with her brand now ranking as the highest-grossing celebrity beauty venture, generating an impressive GBP 477.3 million in revenue, according to Upbeat Agency. In 2021, the founder of Fenty and Fenty Beauty had a net worth of USD1.7 billion which then made her the wealthiest female musician while trailing behind Oprah Winfrey as the second richest entertainer. Her legacy is so profound that her choice to headline the 2023 Super Bowl halftime show was seen not so much as a defining moment in her musical career but was arguably the best marketing strategy to showcase Fenty Beauty, further cementing her cultural influence.

With Fenty Beauty, she championed diversity by offering a groundbreaking 40-shade foundation range, setting a new standard for representation in beauty. Expanding her influence, she launched Fenty Skin and Savage X Fenty, her lingerie line that celebrates all body types. Beyond her ventures, Rihanna’s philanthropy through the Clara Lionel Foundation demonstrates her commitment to global humanitarian causes. In 2024, her influence extends beyond her celebrity status, marking her as a visionary who has made inclusivity a cornerstone of modern luxury.

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