It’s the start of another year and 2026 is already looking like being 12 months of turmoil and uncertainly.
Around the world cost of living crises are continuing to bite, with many experiencing a declining quality of life.
But for the super-rich it seems like a time of plenty, with many of the wealthiest continuing to grow their fortunes unaffected (or boosted) by world events.
Last year’s second inauguration of President Donald Trump was a blunt reminder - if needed - of the way money and power are closely entwined.
Elon Musk may have been the highest profile billionaire to offer Trump his support (before their spectacular falling out), but sitting next to him at the ceremony were tech tycoons Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos.
They all feature prominently in this list of the 14 richest people in the world at the start of 2026 according to the experts at Forbes.
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1. Elon Musk - $717.9 billion
The world's richest man - by quite some distance - is still Tesla, SpaceX and X owner Elon Musk. In November 2021 he became the first person ever to be worth $300 billion and he's now more than doubled his fortune to a huge $717.9 billion. His involvement in politics helped Donald Trump become the American President for the second time but the two men later had a spectacular falling out, while his involvement with the White House was divisive to say the least - hitting the value of Tesla stock in particular. His overall riches, however, continue to grow unabated. | AFP via Getty Images
2. Larry Page - $258.3 billion
Larry Page has had a good last 12 months, climbing from seventh to second in the rich list with wealth totalling $258.3 billion - that's up from $133.1 billion in January 2025. He co-founded Google in 1998 and has watched the money roll in ever since. | Getty Images
3. Larry Ellison - $245.3 billion
Oracle founder Larry Ellison, who owns 98 per cent of Lānaʻi, the sixth-largest island in Hawaii, has risen a place up to third spot in the billionaires rich list with a fortune estimated at $245.3 billion. That's up from $199.5 billion at the start of last year. The software guru has been advising President Trump on matters relating to Artificial Intelligence. | Getty Images
4. Jeff Bezos - $238.6 billion
Amazon founder and executive chairman has dropped from second to fourth place in the last 12 months, with a fortune of around $238.6. That's down from the $248.1 billion he was worth this time last year. | Getty Images for America Busines