Richest Person When You Were Born
Everyone Who's Been the World's Richest Person Since Forbes Started Ranking
Forbes has published its annual World's Billionaires list every year since 1987. In that time — 40 years — only 8 different people have ever held the #1 spot.
The reigns, in order: Yoshiaki Tsutsumi (1987–1990); Taikichiro Mori (1991–1992); Yoshiaki Tsutsumi (1993–1994); Bill Gates (1995–2007); Warren Buffett (2008); Bill Gates (2009); Carlos Slim (2010–2013); Bill Gates (2014–2017); Jeff Bezos (2018–2021); Elon Musk (2022); Bernard Arnault (2023–2024); Elon Musk (2025–2026).
The longest unbroken run belongs to Bill Gates, who topped the list every year from 1995 to 2007 — 13 consecutive years.
That annual snapshot only updates once a year, though. On a live, real-time basis, Elon Musk currently leads with an estimated $405.74B — a number that can (and does) change every trading day, which is the whole premise of this site.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many people have been the world's richest person since Forbes started ranking?
- 8: Yoshiaki Tsutsumi, Taikichiro Mori, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Carlos Slim, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Bernard Arnault.
- Who has held the #1 spot the longest?
- Bill Gates, for 13 consecutive years (1995–2007) on Forbes' annual list.
- Who was the richest person the year I was born?
- Use the Richest Person When You Were Born calculator above — enter your birth year to see the annual #1 then, when you turned 18 and 30, and who leads right now.
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Figures are directional estimates from live public market data, not audited valuations, and this site is not affiliated with Forbes.