Forbes List: The World's Richest People – Is One Soon to Be a Trillionaire?

In the latest "Forbes" billionaire list, Tesla CEO Elon Musk leads the field unchallenged. His fortune vastly surpasses that of the wealthiest individuals in Germany.

The global boom in Artificial Intelligence (AI) has propelled the number of billionaires worldwide to an unprecedented high, as reported by the US magazine "Forbes." For the second consecutive year, Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and electric car manufacturer Tesla, tops this prestigious list. His estimated fortune is a staggering 839 billion dollars (approximately 725 billion Euros).

Elon Musk at the Forefront of the "Forbes" List

According to the magazine, the 40th "Forbes" list of the world's richest people features 3428 billionaires – an increase of 400 from last year and the highest number since the list's inception in 1987.

"It's the year of the billionaires," commented "Forbes" Senior Editor Chase Peterson-Withorn. "The planet has gained more than one billionaire per day over the past twelve months, driven by the AI-fueled stock market boom that has pushed fortunes to previously unimaginable levels."

Musk, in particular, has seen significant gains, with his wealth more than doubling within a single year. He is now widely regarded as the first person on a trajectory to become a trillionaire. "Forbes" further notes that the 54-year-old has accumulated more wealth than the next three super-rich individuals combined.

Former President Donald Trump also experienced a notable increase in his fortune. In the first year of his potential second term, his wealth surged by 27 percent to an estimated 6.5 billion dollars. This growth is primarily attributed to his investments in cryptocurrencies, as stated by "Forbes." Globally, Trump holds the 645th position.

The richest woman on the list is Alice Walton, 76, daughter of the founder of the US supermarket chain Walmart, with a substantial fortune of 134 billion dollars.