Top 10 Richest Men In North America According To Forbes (2025)

Let’s talk money, shall we? And not just any kind of money—we're talking serious, jaw-dropping, eye-popping wealth. If you're even remotely interested in global business trends, personal finance, or the intricacies of economic empires, then you’ll want to stick around for this breakdown of the top 10 richest men in North America, as curated by Forbes for the year 2025.

Now, I know we Nigerians are used to discussing our own money moguls and techpreneurs, but it’s also essential to learn from those who've scaled their ventures on a global scale. The stories of these billionaires—how they rose, what they control, and what their wealth says about the global economy—are not just fascinating; they’re instructive.

Let’s dive in!

1. Elon Musk – Net Worth: ~$342 Billion

At the top of the money chain is none other than Elon Musk. From Tesla to SpaceX, Neuralink to X (formerly Twitter), Musk is not only a serial entrepreneur but a futurist who has successfully commercialized sectors previously dominated by governments and slow-moving corporations.

As of March 2025, Forbes estimates his net worth at $342 billion. But other sources suggest his real-time wealth might have crossed the $400 billion mark, depending on Tesla’s stock performance and SpaceX's latest valuation. That’s more than the GDP of some entire countries!

His wealth portfolio is mainly tied to:

• Tesla (Electric vehicles & energy)

• SpaceX (Aerospace and satellite tech)

• Neuralink & xAI (Frontiers in AI and neuroscience)

• X (formerly Twitter, now reimagined as an everything app)

Musk is not just a tech founder—he’s a brand and an economic force all on his own.

2. Larry Ellison – Net Worth: ~$286 Billion

Next on the list is Larry Ellison, the enigmatic co-founder of Oracle Corporation. A software mogul and savvy investor, Ellison’s rise is rooted in enterprise computing—the kind of software that powers Fortune 500 companies.

Beyond Oracle, Ellison owns:

• A 98% stake in Lanai, a Hawaiian island

• Significant shares in Tesla (Yes, he’s one of Musk’s major backers)

• Investments in real estate, yachting, and aviation

At 79 years old, Ellison proves that the digital economy isn’t just for the young—it’s also for the strategic.

3. Mark Zuckerberg – Net Worth: ~$216 Billion

If you’ve ever opened Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp, you’ve walked into the empire of Mark Zuckerberg. The co-founder and CEO of Meta Platforms is not just a social media tycoon; he’s the architect of a new reality—literally. His obsession with the Metaverse has transformed Meta’s direction and influenced tech trends globally.

Zuck’s fortune, pegged at $216 billion, is largely tied to Meta’s performance on the stock market. Despite heavy criticism and massive layoffs in 2023–24, Meta has rebounded strongly, driven by advancements in AI, virtual reality, and content monetization.

Zuckerberg is a textbook example of how long-term vision can still pay off, even after public scrutiny.

4. Jeff Bezos – Net Worth: ~$215 Billion

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, is synonymous with e-commerce. From selling books in a garage to becoming a global logistics and cloud computing giant, Bezos’ journey is the stuff of entrepreneurial legend.

While he’s stepped down as Amazon’s CEO, he still plays a strategic role and holds a large share in Amazon stock. Plus, let’s not forget:

• Blue Origin (Space tourism and tech)

• Washington Post (Media)

• Bezos Earth Fund (Climate investments)

At $215 billion, Bezos sits comfortably near the top—and he’s still pushing the limits of space, tech, and commerce.

5. Warren Buffett – Net Worth: ~$154 Billion

Known as the “Oracle of Omaha,” Warren Buffett is the grandfather of modern investing. Through his holding company Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett has built a diversified empire ranging from insurance to railroads, consumer goods to tech.

Unlike others on this list, Buffett made his money by investing in other businesses rather than building one from scratch. His holdings include:

• Apple (One of Berkshire’s biggest stock positions)

• Coca-Cola

• Geico

At over 90 years old, Buffett remains a living legend and a model of long-term value investing.

6. Larry Page – Net Worth: ~$144 Billion

As one-half of the duo that founded Google, Larry Page continues to enjoy the fruits of a search engine that turned into an empire. His wealth is directly tied to Google’s parent company Alphabet, which now spans across YouTube, Android, Google Cloud, and DeepMind.

Page’s focus has shifted towards experimental projects in health and aviation via Alphabet’s X lab and ventures like Kitty Hawk, an electric flying car startup.

$144 billion is a hefty sum, but for someone who changed how the world accesses information, it’s well deserved.

7. Sergey Brin – Net Worth: ~$138 Billion

Page’s co-founder and fellow Google pioneer, Sergey Brin, is right behind him with $138 billion. Like Page, Brin has stepped back from day-to-day operations but remains deeply involved in Alphabet’s advanced research units.

Brin is known for his low-key philanthropic efforts and scientific curiosity. Think of him as the quiet force behind the curtain, still shaping technology through innovation grants and high-risk moonshot ideas.

8. Steve Ballmer – Net Worth: ~$118 Billion

Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has one of the most interesting billionaire stories. He joined Microsoft in its early days and helped scale it into a global tech powerhouse. After retiring, he shifted gears into sports and philanthropy.

He’s now the owner of the LA Clippers, and under his leadership, the NBA team has seen financial and competitive resurgence.

At $118 billion, Ballmer proves that a career as a corporate executive can be just as financially rewarding as that of a founder.

9. Bill Gates – Net Worth: ~$107 Billion

Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and once the world’s richest man, is now more focused on global health, education, and climate change through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Despite heavy philanthropic commitments and a high-profile divorce, Gates still commands a net worth north of $107 billion. His wealth is mostly from Microsoft shares and a diverse portfolio managed through Cascade Investment.

Gates is proof that you can give a lot away and still remain super-rich.

10. Michael Bloomberg – Net Worth: ~$105 Billion

Closing out the top ten is Michael Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP, a financial data and media empire. Bloomberg also served as the mayor of New York City and briefly ran for U.S. President.

His net worth of $105 billion reflects both his business success and disciplined investing. Bloomberg has pledged to give away most of his wealth through his philanthropic foundation, which focuses on climate change, public health, and education.

Key Takeaways

1. Technology Is the Golden Goose

Most of these billionaires made their fortunes in tech. Whether it's software (Ellison, Gates), internet platforms (Zuckerberg, Page, Brin), or futuristic ventures (Musk, Bezos), technology is the new oil.

2. Diversification Is Power

Very few of them rely on a single business. From Bezos’ space ambitions to Gates’ real estate and healthcare investments, these men have spread their bets across various sectors.

3. Philanthropy and Influence

While they’re rich, many of them are also influential in shaping public policy, global health, and environmental sustainability.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it—the crème de la crème of North American wealth, as ranked by Forbes in 2025. These men aren’t just rich; they’re economic ecosystems in themselves. They influence industries, shape economies, and in many ways, define the future of innovation.

As a Nigerian entrepreneur, economist, or even a curious reader, understanding their business models and investment strategies offers more than entertainment—it offers insight. These stories aren’t just about money. They’re about innovation, risk, timing, and vision.

And who knows? With the right idea, the right timing, and a bit of that Nigerian hustle spirit, the next billionaire on Forbes might just be reading this.

Till next time, keep learning, keep hustling.