Billionaires List 2025: New Richest Woman emerges Amid Global Wealth Surge
published 28 Jun 2025 at 22.17 / Updated at 22.25
The world’s wealthiest individuals saw their combined fortunes increase by a staggering SEK 19,000,000,000 over the past year, according to Forbes‘ newly released 2025 billionaires list. The annual ranking also revealed a new world’s richest woman and highlighted the growing number of Swedish billionaires in the top 250.
Global Billionaire Landscape in 2025
The 2025 Forbes list boasts 3,028 billionaires, a significant jump of 247 individuals compared to the previous year. This elite group now holds more wealth than ever before, demonstrating the continued accumulation of riches at the very top 1.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk retains the top spot with a colossal fortune of SEK 3,245 billion. Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg secures second place with SEK 2,050 billion,followed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos,who holds SEK 2,040 billion.
Did You know? The number of billionaires has more than doubled since Forbes began tracking them in 1987,when only 140 individuals made the list.
Alice Walton Crowned World’s Richest Woman
A notable shift in the rankings is the emergence of Alice Walton, heir to the Walmart fortune, as the world’s richest woman. With a fortune of SEK 958 billion, Walton dethrones L’Orรฉal’s Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, who held the title for the past four years. Walton’s impressive wealth places her 15th on the overall billionaires list.
Geographic Distribution of Billionaire Wealth
The United States continues to dominate in terms of the number of billionaires, with 902 individuals on the list. China follows with 516 billionaires,and India secures the third position with 205 2.
Pro Tip: Analyzing the geographic distribution of billionaires can provide insights into economic growth and investment opportunities in different regions.
Swedish Billionaires in the Spotlight
Sweden’s presence on the billionaires list is also growing, with seven Swedes now featured in the top 250. H&M founder Stefan Persson leads the Swedish contingent, ranking 108th overall with a fortune of SEK 177 billion. Other prominent Swedish billionaires include businesswoman Antonia Ax:son Johnson and Spotify co-founder Martin Lorentzon.
Finn, Jรถrn, and Kirsten Rausing, members of the tetra Laval family, share the 236th position with SEK 102 billion each. carl Bennet rounds out the swedish representation in the top 250, holding the 248th spot with SEK 102 billion.
| Rank | Name | Company | Net Worth (SEK Billion) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elon Musk | Tesla | 3,245 |
| 2 | Mark Zuckerberg | Meta | 2,050 |
| 3 | Jeff Bezos | Amazon | 2,040 |
| 15 | alice Walton | Walmart | 958 |
| 108 | Stefan Persson | H&M | 177 |
The Ever-Growing Ranks of the Ultra-Wealthy
The consistent expansion of the billionaires list reflects broader trends in global wealth accumulation. Factors such as technological innovation,globalization,and financial market performance contribute to the increasing concentration of wealth among a select few. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for analyzing economic inequality and its potential societal impacts.
Frequently Asked Questions About the World’s Richest
- How many billionaires are in the U.S.?
- As of 2024, the United States is home to 813 billionaires, holding a combined wealth of $5.7 trillion 3.
What are your thoughts on the growing wealth disparity? How can we ensure a more equitable distribution of resources?
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