In a recent rich list publication by Forbes, Taylor Swift, the American pop sensation, made her debut as one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, amassing a fortune of $1.1 billion. This prestigious list also welcomed Sam Altman, the creator of the AI chatbot ChatGPT, who accumulated a wealth of $1 billion. Topping the chart, however, is Bernard Arnault, the French luxury goods magnate, and his family, with an astounding estimated net worth of $233 billion.
Forbes highlighted a record-breaking number of billionaires for the year 2024, totaling 2,781 individuals. This figure represents an increase of 141 billionaires compared to the previous year and surpasses the previous record set in 2021 by 26 individuals. Additionally, Forbes emphasised that these elite billionaires are richer than ever before, boasting a collective wealth of $14.2 trillion.
Swift’s inclusion in the billionaire’s club comes on the heels of her remarkable achievements in the music industry. Her stellar performance at the Grammy Awards, where she clinched the album of the year award for the fourth time, solidified her megastar status. Furthermore, her album “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” emerged as the best-selling vinyl LP of the year. Beyond music, Swift’s influence extends to the realm of sports, with her mere presence at American football games reportedly boosting NFL viewing figures.
Among the top 10 richest individuals globally, eight hail from the United States, with six of them accruing their wealth in the technology sector. Following Arnault, Elon Musk, the visionary behind Tesla and X (formerly Twitter), claims the second spot with an estimated net worth of $195 billion. Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, secures the third position on the list.
Forbes also welcomed new entrants to the billionaire’s circle, including basketball legend Magic Johnson and TV producer Dick Wolf, known for the successful US Law and Order and Chicago PD series. Chase Peterson-Withorn, Forbes’s senior editor on wealth, described the year as “amazing” for the world’s wealthiest individuals, highlighting the unprecedented rise in their fortunes despite global financial uncertainty.
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