Jeff Bezos is no longer the top richest man in the U.S. But he’s still the richest in Washington. Eight of the richest Americans in 2022 live in the Evergreen State. Bezos, with Amazon, has $151 billion, down from $201 billion last year, says Forbes 400 2022.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has taken Bezos’ spot for the first time in four years. Musk lives in Austin, Texas. Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, is now the third-richest in the U.S. and second in Washington, with a $106 billion net worth in 2022.
Key Takeaways
- Jeff Bezos is the richest person in Washington, with a net worth of $151 billion in 2022.
- Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has surpassed Bezos as the richest person in the United States.
- Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, is the second-richest person in Washington and the third-richest in the U.S.
- Eight of the richest Americans in 2022 call the state of Washington home.
- The wealth of the richest individuals in the U.S. and Washington is primarily derived from the technology and e-commerce industries.
The Richest Billionaires in Washington State
Eight of the wealthiest people in the U.S. live in Washington State, says Forbes. At the top is Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s founder and leader. He’s worth $151 billion, making him the richest in Washington and second richest in the U.S., after Elon Musk of Tesla and SpaceX.
Jeff Bezos: The Richest Man in Washington
Bezos’ wealth dropped to $201 billion from last year. Yet, he’s still the top billionaire in Washington. His work at Amazon has made him one of the 20 richest people in the world. His success has made him a global business leader.
| Rank | Name | Net Worth (in Billions) | Source of Wealth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeff Bezos | $151 | Amazon |
| 2 | Bill Gates | $117 | Microsoft |
| 3 | Steve Ballmer | $91.4 | Microsoft |
| 4 | Larry Ellison | $106 | Oracle |
| 5 | Paul Allen’s Estate | $20.3 | Microsoft |
This table lists the top 5 richest billionaires in Washington State. It shows their net worth and where their wealth comes from. It gives a quick look at the financial giants in the state.
Bill Gates: The Second Richest in Washington
After Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates is the second-richest in Washington state. He has an estimated net worth of $106 billion in 2022. This makes him the third-wealthiest in the U.S., after Elon Musk and Bezos.
Gates has moved from business to philanthropy and research. He co-founded Microsoft in 1975 and was its leader. In 2020, he left the company’s board to focus on charity.
His wealth has changed over time, but he’s always been on Forbes’s rich list since 1987. Gates is known for his charity work. He focuses on global health, education, and fighting poverty.
Bezos and Gates have made huge fortunes, but their paths have changed. Bezos keeps growing his businesses, while Gates dedicates himself to charity. Both are key figures in tech and Washington state.
Steve Ballmer and Other Microsoft Magnates
Bill Gates is not alone among the richest individuals in Washington. Former CEO Steve Ballmer, Melinda French Gates, and Charles Simonyi, a tech leader, also top the list. They have a combined wealth of over $200 billion.
Microsoft’s Influence on Washington’s Billionaires
Except for Melinda French Gates, Microsoft’s leaders saw their net worth drop last year. This was mainly due to Microsoft’s falling stock prices. It shows how big an impact Microsoft has had on the richest people in Washington.
| Microsoft Executive | Net Worth (2022) | Change from 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Steve Ballmer | $83.3 billion | -$9.7 billion |
| Melinda French Gates | $67.4 billion | +$5.4 billion |
| Charles Simonyi | $5.7 billion | -$1.2 billion |
Microsoft executives still lead the list of wealthiest people in Washington. This shows the huge impact Microsoft has had on the state’s billionaires.
The Richest Billionaires in the U.S.
The rankings of the richest people in the United States are based on net-worth estimates as of September 2022 compared to September 2021. The richest tech billionaires in the U.S. lost $315 billion over the year. This was mainly due to the stock market falling. For example, Microsoft stocks fell, causing Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer to lose $28 billion and $13.5 billion, respectively.
Even with these losses, the 10 richest people in America still have over $1 trillion combined. Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, is at the top with an estimated net worth of $251 billion as of September 2022. This is up from $185 billion a year before. His wealth comes mainly from his shares in Tesla and SpaceX.
| Rank | Name | Net Worth (2022) | Net Worth (2021) | Change in Net Worth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elon Musk | $251 billion | $185 billion | +$66 billion |
| 2 | Jeff Bezos | $151 billion | $177 billion | -$26 billion |
| 3 | Bernard Arnault | $150 billion | $150 billion | 0 |
| 4 | Bill Gates | $106 billion | $134 billion | -$28 billion |
| 5 | Warren Buffett | $97 billion | $104 billion | -$7 billion |
The top 10 richest people in the U.S. include tech entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders. Some, like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, saw their wealth change. Others, like Bernard Arnault, the CEO of LVMH, kept their spot among the world’s richest.
As the wealthiest people in America, these billionaires have a big impact. Their net worths are watched closely by the public. They can affect the economy and financial markets a lot.
Tech Billionaires’ Fortunes Fluctuate
The rankings of the richest Americans are based on net-worth estimates as of September 2022 compared to September 2021. In all, the richest tech billionaires in the U.S. lost $315 billion over the year. This was mainly due to the stock market falling.
Microsoft stocks fell, which made Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer lose $28 billion and $13.5 billion, respectively. The ups and downs of the stock market have greatly affected the net worth of many tech billionaires. Their fortunes have seen big changes.
The Impact of the Stock Market on Billionaires’ Net Worth
The Forbes real-time billionaires list shows the top 10 richest people in the world lost over $300 billion in 2022. This happened because the stock market went down. It hit the net worths of tech giants like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg.
Even with their huge wealth, the fortunes of these billionaires can change a lot. This is because of how their companies do and the state of the market. As the stock market stays unpredictable, the net worths of the wealthiest people in America will likely keep changing.
“The impact of the volatile stock market has significantly affected the net worth of many tech billionaires, causing their fortunes to fluctuate dramatically.”
Women Among the Richest in Washington
In Washington, most billionaires are men, but a few women have also made big names for themselves. MacKenzie Scott, a novelist and philanthropist, is one of them. She is the only woman among the state’s eight richest people.
Scott’s net worth was $37.7 billion in 2022. This is down from $58.5 billion in 2021. Her wealth mainly came from her divorce settlement with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. She got a 4% stake in Amazon.
Scott is known for her charity work. She and her then-husband Dan Jewett planned to give away all her wealth. Over two years, she gave more than $12 billion to charities. Recently, she filed for divorce from Jewett.
Melinda French Gates, the ex-wife of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, is also among Washington’s wealthiest. She has a net worth of $6.4 billion. French Gates co-chairs the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a leading charity.
“Philanthropy is not about the money. It’s about using whatever resources you have at your fingertips and applying them to improving the world.”
Also Read : What Is Ted Cruz’s Net Worth?
Other Notable Billionaires in Washington
Washington State is not just about tech billionaires. It has a wide range of billionaires from different fields. Larry Ellison, the co-founder and former CTO of Oracle, is worth over $106 billion. He’s one of the richest people globally.
Elon Musk, the mind behind Tesla and SpaceX, has a net worth that changes with his companies’ success. It has hit over $200 billion, making him the richest person in the world.
Steve Ballmer, the ex-CEO of Microsoft and owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, is worth about $97 billion. Larry Page and Sergey Brin, founders of Google and Alphabet, also live here, with a combined wealth over $100 billion.
Washington isn’t just about tech. It’s also home to Warren Buffett, known as the “Oracle of Omaha” and head of Berkshire Hathaway. His net worth, around $105 billion, shows his smart investing and the success of his company. These figures, along with tech leaders, highlight Washington’s rich diversity in wealth.
FAQs
Q: Who are the richest people in the world as of 2024?
A: As of 2024, the top 10 richest people include figures like Elon Musk, Bernard Arnault, Larry Ellison, and Warren Buffett, among others. Their estimated net worth fluctuates based on market conditions and personal investments.
Q: What is Elon Musk’s estimated net worth in 2024?
A: Elon Musk’s estimated net worth in 2024 is around $250 billion, primarily derived from his stakes in Tesla and SpaceX, making him one of the wealthiest individuals on the planet.
Q: How did Bernard Arnault become one of the top 10 richest people?
A: Bernard Arnault became one of the top 10 richest people largely due to his leadership in the luxury goods market as chairman and CEO of LVMH, which includes brands like Louis Vuitton and Moët Hennessy.
Q: Why is Warren Buffett considered one of the wealthiest individuals?
A: Warren Buffett, often referred to as the “Oracle of Omaha,” is considered one of the wealthiest individuals due to his successful investment strategies and his role as chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway.
Q: Has Mark Zuckerberg’s net worth increased or decreased since 2022?
A: Mark Zuckerberg’s net worth has seen fluctuations since 2022 due to changes in Meta’s stock price and market conditions, but he remains among the wealthiest individuals, with an estimated net worth of around $100 billion in 2024.
Q: Who is the richest woman in the world in 2024?
A: The richest woman in the world in 2024 is MacKenzie Scott, whose wealth is primarily derived from her divorce settlement with Jeff Bezos and her philanthropic efforts.
Q: What companies are the top 10 billionaires associated with?
A: The top 10 billionaires are associated with various companies, including Tesla, Amazon, LVMH, Berkshire Hathaway, and Google’s parent company, Alphabet, reflecting their diverse interests across different industries.
Q: What factors contribute to the net worth of the wealthiest individuals?
A: The net worth of the wealthiest individuals is derived from various factors, including stock holdings, real estate investments, and ownership stakes in companies. Market fluctuations and economic conditions can significantly impact their wealth.
Q: How does Larry Ellison rank among the 20 richest people?
A: Larry Ellison consistently ranks among the 20 richest people in the world due to his significant shares in Oracle Corporation, a leading software company, and his investments in various ventures.
Q: What impact does the luxury goods market have on the rankings of the richest people?
A: The luxury goods market has a significant impact on the rankings of the richest people, especially for individuals like Bernard Arnault, as the demand for high-end products from companies like LVMH contributes to substantial increases in their net worth.
Q: Who are the top 10 richest people in the world as of 2024?
A: As of 2024, the top 10 richest people in the world include Elon Musk, Bernard Arnault, Larry Ellison, Warren Buffett, Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, among others, with their net worths varying significantly due to market changes.
Q: What is Elon Musk’s estimated net worth?
A: Elon Musk’s estimated net worth fluctuates but is often around $200 billion, making him one of the wealthiest people in the world, primarily due to his stakes in Tesla and SpaceX.
Q: How did Bernard Arnault become the richest person in the world?
A: Bernard Arnault, chairman and CEO of LVMH, became the richest person in the world due to the outstanding success of his luxury goods conglomerate, which includes brands like Louis Vuitton and Moët Hennessy.
Q: What are the main factors that contribute to Larry Ellison’s wealth?
A: Larry Ellison’s wealth is largely derived from his role as co-founder and executive chair of Oracle Corporation, a leading software company, and his strategic investments in various technology ventures.
Q: What impact did the 2022 market fluctuations have on the richest people in the world?
A: The 2022 market fluctuations led to significant changes in the rankings of the richest people in the world, with many billionaires experiencing a drop in their net worth due to declines in their company’s stock prices.
Q: How does Warren Buffett maintain his status among the top 10 richest people?
A: Warren Buffett maintains his status among the top 10 richest people through his long-term investment strategy, primarily via his holding company Berkshire Hathaway, which owns stakes in numerous successful companies.
Q: Who is the richest woman in the world and what is her net worth?
A: The richest woman in the world is MacKenzie Scott, known for her philanthropic efforts and significant net worth, which is estimated to be around $44 billion, largely from her divorce settlement with Jeff Bezos.
Q: How did Mark Zuckerberg’s wealth change in 2023?
A: In 2023, Mark Zuckerberg’s wealth saw fluctuations due to changes in Meta’s stock price, which impacted his net worth significantly, reflecting broader trends in the tech industry.
Q: What are the top industries where the richest people in the world derive their wealth?
A: The wealthiest individuals often derive their wealth from industries such as technology, luxury goods, finance, and investments, with companies like Tesla, Oracle, and LVMH being key players.
Source Links
- https://www.seattletimes.com/business/here-are-the-richest-people-in-wa/
- https://www.seattlemet.com/news-and-city-life/2023/02/richest-people-in-washington-seattle
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_richest_Americans_in_history
