In a dramatic reshuffle of global wealth rankings, the latest Forbes list reveals that Charlene has ascended to become the world’s richest person, while Tesla CEO Elon Musk slips to third place despite a staggering net worth of $349.8 billion. African tycoon Aliko Dangote continues to dominate as Nigeria’s richest man, reaffirming his status among the top 100 billionaires worldwide.
Forbes’ report, dated Wednesday, March 5, shows that Charlene’s net worth surged to an unprecedented $11.04 trillion. This historic milestone not only crowns her as the richest person on the planet but also marks her as the first female billionaire to claim the top spot. Her vast fortune stems primarily from a significant Heineken stake inherited from her late father, longtime CEO Freddy Heineken. Charlene’s financial empire is further bolstered by the active involvement of her husband, Michel de Carvalho, and their children, Charles, Alexander de Carvalho, and Louisa Brassey, who all hold influential positions on Heineken’s board.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk, who recently earned $2.2 billion in a single day, has seen his ranking decline to third. His net worth of $349.8 billion reflects both market volatility and the shifting dynamics in the tech industry, underscoring that even the most prominent fortunes can experience rapid changes.
Adding to the global wealth narrative, German entrepreneur Dirk Rossmann and his family now claim the second spot with a combined net worth of $670.2 billion. Rossmann built his fortune through a successful drugstore chain with annual revenues of approximately $13 billion, and his diverse portfolio includes significant private equity investments as well as a stake in the German Bundesliga club Hannover 96.
Read also: Michael Jackson tops 2024 highest-paid deceased celebrities with $600M in earnings
On the African continent, Aliko Dangote’s financial prowess remains unshaken. Despite a minor $9 million dip, Dangote’s net worth stands at $23.9 billion, securing his position as the 87th richest person globally and the sole African represented in the top 100. His enduring influence in Nigeria is further complemented by other prominent Nigerian businessmen such as Mike Adenuga, valued at $6.8 billion, Abdulsamad Rabiu at $5.2 billion, and Femi Otedola at $1.5 billion.
In a related development, Nigerian-American billionaire Adebayo Ogunlesi has seen his net worth jump from $1.7 billion to $2.3 billion following his appointment to the board of OpenAI. His growing investment portfolio, now exceeding $1.8 billion, reflects the increasing prominence of tech-driven opportunities and innovative business strategies in today’s economy.
This reshuffling of billionaire rankings underscores a rapidly evolving global wealth landscape, driven by strategic investments, dynamic market trends, and groundbreaking business achievements. Charlene’s historic rise, Elon Musk’s notable drop, and Dangote’s unwavering leadership collectively paint a picture of an economic world in flux—one where new paradigms of wealth and influence continue to emerge and redefine success on the global stage.
