What does it take to be ranked among the wealthiest individuals globally? You would need a fortune exceeding £100 billion. The majority of these affluent individuals are linked to technology firms that have gained international recognition.
Notably, the list of the world’s richest individuals as of January 2026, according to Forbes, is largely dominated by Americans. Forbes reports that there are over 3,100 billionaires around the world, with these individuals representing the elite of the elite, along with insights into how they built their vast wealth.
Total worth: $147 billion (£107 billion) – decreased by $2 billion compared to the previous month
Background: Former Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft
Age: 69
The former CEO of Microsoft joined the company in 1980 as the 30th employee after leaving Stanford’s MBA program. Ballmer acquired the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team in 2014, the same year he resigned from his position.
Total worth: £109 billion ($149 billion, down $3 billion since the previous month)
Background: Retired CEO of Berkshire Hathaway
Age: 95
Buffett, known as one of the most successful investors, stepped down as the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at the end of 2025. The son of a Nebraska congressman, Buffett made his first stock purchase at the age of 13.
Total worth: £118 billion ($162 billion, increased by $8 billion since the previous month)
Background: Founder and CEO of Nvidia
Age: 62
Huang co-founded the graphics card company Nvidia in 1993. Originally from Taiwan, the entrepreneur moved to the United States at the age of nine. Huang has been the CEO of the company since its inception.
Total worth: £142 billion ($195 billion, increased by $5 billion since the previous month)
Background: CEO of LVMH
Age: 76
Arnault leads the luxury conglomerate LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy). The French executive, the only non-American on the list, oversees brands such as Tiffany, Louis Vuitton, and Sephora. All five of his children hold positions within LVMH.
Total worth: £165 billion ($226 billion, increased by $4 billion since the previous month)
Background: Co-founder of Meta
Age: 41
Zuckerberg co-established Facebook with fellow Harvard students in 2004 before dropping out of university. The tech magnate owns 13 percent of the company, which was rebranded as Meta in 2021.
Total worth: £173 billion ($237 billion, decreased by $6 billion since the previous month)
Background: Co-founder of Google
Age: 52
Brin founded Google alongside Larry Page in 1998. Born in Russia, Brin immigrated to the US at the age of six. The former Alphabet president currently serves as a board member and majority shareholder.
Total worth: £176 billion ($242 billion, decreased by $2 billion since the previous month)
Background: CEO of Amazon
Age: 62
Bezos founded Amazon in 1994 and currently holds the role of executive chairman at the company. He is also the owner of The Washington Post and the aerospace company Blue Origin.
Total worth: £178 billion ($245 billion, decreased by $8 billion since the previous month