The world's 500 richest people added a staggering $2.2 trillion to their collective fortunes in 2025, marking the largest annual wealth increase ever recorded, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. The unprecedented gains, which brought their combined net worth to $11.9 trillion, were turbocharged by Donald Trump's election victory and booming markets across equities, cryptocurrencies, and precious metals.
Elon Musk led the pack with the largest individual wealth increase, adding an extraordinary $190.3 billion to his fortune during the year. His total net worth now stands at $622.7 billion, cementing his position as by far the richest individual on the planet. The Tesla and SpaceX chief executive has seen his wealth soar on the back of surging stock prices and his close relationship with the incoming Trump administration.
Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison secured the second-largest gain, adding $57.7 billion to reach a net worth of $249.8 billion. The tech mogul benefited from Oracle's strong performance as artificial intelligence demand continued to drive enterprise software spending to new heights. His wealth increase alone would rank among the largest fortunes in history.
Remarkably, just eight billionaires accounted for approximately 25 percent of the total wealth gains among the richest 500 people. This elite group includes Musk, Jeff Bezos, Larry Ellison, and Google co-founder Larry Page, highlighting the extreme concentration of wealth at the very top of the economic pyramid. The findings have intensified calls for wealth taxes and greater economic redistribution.
The record-breaking wealth accumulation has drawn sharp criticism from advocacy groups and progressive politicians. Oxfam International noted that the $2.2 trillion gained by billionaires "would have been more than enough to lift 3.8 billion people out of poverty." The stark contrast between soaring billionaire wealth and persistent global poverty has reignited debates about economic inequality and tax policy.
Big Tech companies led the charge in driving billionaire wealth higher, as artificial intelligence euphoria continued to bolster American mega-cap stocks throughout the year. The sector's dominance in global markets has created unprecedented wealth for founders and major shareholders of companies at the forefront of the AI revolution.
By the end of 2025, there were 935 billionaires in the United States alone, with their combined wealth totaling $8.1 trillion. The concentration of wealth in American hands reflects the dominant position of U.S. technology companies in the global economy and the favorable conditions for capital accumulation in the country.
The wealth surge comes against a backdrop of growing economic anxiety among ordinary citizens. Inflation, housing costs, and the rising cost of living have emerged as top concerns for voters in many countries, creating a stark disconnect between the fortunes of the ultra-wealthy and the financial struggles of average workers. The disparity has fueled populist movements on both the left and right of the political spectrum.
Trump's election victory in November provided a significant boost to markets and billionaire wealth. Expectations of business-friendly policies, tax cuts, and deregulation sent stocks soaring in the final months of the year. The incoming administration's close ties to several prominent billionaires have raised questions about the influence of extreme wealth on government policy.
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