Bernard Arnault regains crown as world’s richest, Musk and Bezos slip in wealth race

WASHINGTON/PARIS: In a dramatic twist of fortunes, Bernard Arnault, the French tycoon, has once again claimed the title of the world’s richest person, leaving behind Elon Musk, the visionary behind SpaceX and Tesla, and Jeff Bezos, the mastermind of Amazon.

Just two days after Elon Musk edged out Jeff Bezos on March 5 to become the wealthiest person globally, a report from Bloomberg reveals that Bernard Arnault has reclaimed the coveted position.

This seesaw of wealth began in December 2022 when Bernard Arnault dethroned Elon Musk, holding onto the top spot until the end of May 2023. Subsequently, Elon Musk enjoyed the status of the world’s richest person until recently, when Jeff Bezos took over the lead.

Now, with a staggering fortune estimated at $197 billion, Bernard Arnault, the emperor of an empire that dressed the world in elegance, from Louis Vuitton to Tiffany & Co, is once again at the pinnacle of global wealth, boasting assets worth billions more than Musk and Bezos.

While Jeff Bezos trails closely behind with assets totaling around $196 billion, Elon Musk has experienced a slight dip in his wealth during 2024, with his fortune decreasing by approximately $40 billion, leaving him with a still impressive $189 billion.

Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, formerly Facebook, stands at the fourth position with assets valued at $178 billion, making him the highest earner this year.

Zuckerberg’s wealth has seen a remarkable increase of nearly $50 billion during the current year alone, signaling a dynamic shift in the hierarchy of global wealth.

As the race for the title of the world’s richest person continues to unfold, the financial landscape remains fluid, with fortunes rising and falling in a matter of days, reshaping the power dynamics of the global elite.