Elon Musk and the world’s richest people got a lot richer last year.ANTONIO MASIELLO—GETTY IMAGES

It paid to be a billionaire in 2023—or at least the top 10. The world’s 10 wealthiest people saw a collective increase in their fortunes in 2023 of nearly half a trillion dollars—a whopping 46% increase, or $465.6 billion. Compare that to an annual gain of 24% by the S&P 500.

The gains were across the board, though no one saw a bigger jump than Elon Musk, who was worth $137 billion on Jan. 2, 2023, and now stands at $229 billion, according to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index. Close behind him in terms of gains was Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg, who jumped from $45.6 billion to $128 billion.

Even billionaires giving away their fortunes saw their net worth increase substantially. Warren Buffett, who gave away $5 billion of his wealth in June of last year and another $870 million in November, is currently worth $13 billion more than he was on Jan. 2, 2023.

Here’s a look at what the world’s 10 richest were worth then and now:

Elon Musk

Net worth on Jan. 2, 2023—$137 billion

Net worth on Jan. 2, 2024—$229 billion

Increase: $92 billion

Bernard Arnault

Net worth on Jan. 2, 2023—$162 billion

Net worth on Jan. 2, 2024—$179 billion

Increase: $17 billion

Jeff Bezos

Net worth on Jan. 2, 2023—$107 billion

Net worth on Jan. 2, 2024—$177 billion

Increase: $70 billion

Bill Gates

Net worth on Jan. 2, 2023—$109 billion

Net worth on Jan. 2, 2024—$141 billion

Increase: $32 billion

Steve Ballmer

Net worth on Jan. 2, 2023—$85.8 billion

Net worth on Jan. 2, 2024—$131 billion

Increase: $45.2 billion

Mark Zuckerberg

Net worth on Jan. 2, 2023—$45.6 billion

Net worth on Jan. 2, 2024—$128 billion

Increase: $82.4 billion

Larry Page

Net worth on Jan. 2, 2023—$82.9 billion

Net worth on Jan. 2, 2024—$126 billion

Increase: $43.1 billion

Larry Ellison

Net worth on Jan. 2, 2023—$91.8 billion

Net worth on Jan. 2, 2024—$123 billion

Increase: $31.2 billion

Sergey Brin

Net worth on Jan. 2, 2023—$79.4 billion

Net worth on Jan. 2, 2024—$120 billion

Increase: $40.6 billion

Warren Buffett

Net worth on Jan. 2, 2023—$107 billion

Net worth on Jan. 2, 2024—$120 billion

Increase: $13 billion

Subscribe to the CEO Daily newsletter to get the CEO perspective on the biggest headlines in business. Sign up for free.Sponsored StoriesRecommended by

Not only is Elizabeth Holmes being sent straight to prison, a judge just told her to pay $452 million to all her victimsDisgraced gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar stabbed multiple times in prison, sources saySoaring COVID and flu cases, described as ‘moderately severe’ in number, are prompting hospitals to restore mask mandates‘Yeah, I was wrong’: Anthony Fauci opens up on his regrets in new PBS ‘American Masters’ documentaryFormer gang leader who stabbed Derek Chauvin in prison 22 times charged with attempted murder, prosecutors sayThe Latest

2 hours ago
• Health – coronavirusSoaring COVID and flu cases, described as ‘moderately severe’ in number, are prompting hospitals to restore mask mandatesBYMike Stobbe and The Associated PressJanuary 4, 2024

2 hours ago

• Finance – Jeffrey EpsteinDocuments naming people in the orbit of 𝑠e𝑥 offender Jeffrey Epstein are unsealed after a years-long battle over their releaseBYAva Benny-Morrison and BloombergJanuary 4, 2024

3 hours ago

• Retail – AutosAmericans went on a car shopping spree in 2023 with sales rising 12% despite lofty prices and high interest ratesBYTom Krisher and The Associated PressJanuary 4, 2024

4 hours ago

• Finance – Pershing SquareHarvard had ‘no choice’ on Gay’s resignation amid plagiarism claims say private equity alumsBYLuisa BeltranJanuary 4, 2024

4 hours ago

• Finance – Colleges and UniversitiesHedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman takes aim at DEI ‘ideology’ after Harvard president’s resignation, claiming it’s anti-capitalistBYIrina IvanovaJanuary 4, 2024

5 hours ago

• Politics – law enforcementBlack people account for only 5% of California’s population but 13% of its traffic stops due to a ‘pervasive pattern’ of racial profiling, report saysBYThe Associated PressJanuary 4, 2024