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The 39th annual Forbes billionaire list is out, and it’s a jaw-dropper.
The number of billionaires has surged to 3,028, a record for the list. Together, these individuals hold a staggering $16.1 trillion, up $2 trillion from last year.
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The wealthiest are led by Elon Musk, with $342 billion, followed by Mark Zuckerberg at $216 billion, and Jeff Bezos at $215 billion. Rounding out the top 10 are heavyweights like Warren Buffett, Larry Ellison and Bernard Arnault.
In short, the billionaire game is booming. Want in on the action? You might want to take notes from the world’s richest.
‘It’s a great time to be a billionaire’
According to Forbes senior editor Chase Peterson-Withorn, the rise in billionaire wealth isn’t just about tech giants and luxury brands; it’s about how much power these individuals hold.
“It’s a great time to be a billionaire,” Peterson-Withorn recently told NPR’s Morning Edition.
This year, 288 new names have joined the ranks of the world’s billionaires. Among them are celebrities like Bruce Springsteen ($1.2B), Arnold Schwarzenegger ($1.1B), and Jerry Seinfeld ($1.1B).
But not every billionaire had a good year. Over 100 names dropped off the 2024 list, no longer rich enough to make the cut. Some notable exits include Lisa Su, CEO of semiconductor giant AMD, Sara Liu, co-founder of server company Supermicro and Nicholas Puech, heir to the Hermès luxury brand, who says his fortune has disappeared.
How to invest like a billionaire
You don’t need unlimited wealth to invest like a billionaire. The ultra-wealthy use strategy, smart decisions and balancing risk and reward to get ahead. Here’s how you can do the same.
Diversify across asset classes
Ultra-high-net individuals spread their wealth across everything from stocks and real estate to private equity and bonds; in other words, diversifying is key. This reduces risk while increasing the chances for steady, long-term growth. For regular investors, diversifying with exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or mutual funds covering domestic and international markets is a good start. And don’t forget bonds for stability during market ups and downs.
If you’re not sure whether your portfolio is diversified enough to weather rocky times in the markets, it’s worth it to connect with a financial advisor who can help you see the bigger picture. Investing like a billionaire means bringing in expert advice to help you grow your wealth. With Advisor.com, you can find a vetted financial advisor in minutes.
Just answer a few quick questions about yourself and your finances and the platform will match you with an experienced financial advisor best suited to help you develop a plan to achieve your homeownership or retirement goals.
You can view their profile, read past client reviews, and schedule an initial consultation for free with no obligation to hire.
Consider real estate investing
Real estate is another billionaire favorite. While they may invest in expensive commercial or luxury residential properties, you can get in the game for as little as $100 with Arrived.
Arrived’s easy-to-use platform offers SEC-qualified investments such as rental homes and vacation rentals that can up your investing game.
They’re backed by list-topping billionaire Jeff Bezos, and as of April 2025, have paid out more than $12 million in dividends to 740,000+ registered investors.
Arrived’s flexible investment amounts and simplified process allows accredited and non-accredited investors to take advantage of this inflation-hedging asset class without taking on any responsibilities as a landlord.
Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it
Keep a long-term mindset
The super wealthy don’t chase trends — they think decades ahead. Want to build wealth? Max out contributions to retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs. These tax-advantaged accounts let your money compound over time.
You may feel that you don’t have the funds to make investing a regular habit, but you don’t always have to put away large sums to move forward with your financial goals. Ten dollars a week could make a difference — if you’re smart about what you do with your spare change.
When you make a purchase on your credit or debit card, Acorns automatically rounds up the price to the nearest dollar and places the excess — the coins that would wind up in your pocket if you were paying cash — into a smart investment portfolio.
Let’s say you purchase a doughnut for $2.30. Before you’re done licking the sugar off your fingers, Acorns will round the amount to $3.00 and invest the 70-cent difference for you. Look at this math: $2.50 worth of daily round-ups add up to $900 per year — and that’s before your savings earn money in the market.
Plus, if you sign up now, you can get a $20 bonus investment.
Manage your risk
While billionaires love high returns, they’re pros at managing risk, and you can do the same by building an emergency fund. Having liquid cash in your account ensures you’re not forced to sell investments during a market slump. A simple buffer can keep you secure while you wait for the market to bounce back.
You can create this buffer with a Wealthfront cash account. Designed for those seeking a reliable and safe high-yield savings plan, this account gives you full access to your money at all times, including fast (and free) transfers to internal Wealthfront investing accounts, as well as external accounts. That’s the kind of liquidity and optionality billionaires would approve of.
You can also check out Moneywise’s top picks for Best High-Yield Savings Accounts of 2025 to compare your options and start building your cash reserve.
Leverage AI-powered investing tools
Wealthy investors leverage technology by using AI-powered predictions, algorithmic trading and cutting-edge tools to stay ahead. You don’t need billions to tap into this power. Robo-advisors can help automate your portfolio management based on your goals to help you make smarter investment decisions.
Invest in alternative assets
Many high-net-worth individuals invest in alternative assets such as commodities and fine art to round out their portfolios. Commodities like gold and silver can be hedges against inflation and market volatility. And while not highly liquid, collectibles, artwork or vintage cars can offer diversification and the potential for substantial returns.
You might consider investing directly in precious metals through a gold IRA with the help of Thor Metals.
Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, thereby combining the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold, making it an attractive option for those looking to potentially hedge their retirement funds against economic uncertainties.
To learn more, you can get a free information guide that includes details on how to get up to $20,000 in free metals on qualifying purchases.
Investing like a billionaire isn’t about having a billion-dollar portfolio. It’s about following the basics, diversifying across asset classes and thinking long-term. Leverage technology, manage your risks and stay patient. Whether it’s real estate, stocks or commodities, billionaire strategies can help set you on the path to financial success. Of course, always consult a financial advisor and do the proper research before you dive into any new investment.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
