Elon Musk has maintained his position as the world’s wealthiest person, extending a dominant lead he has held since May 2024, according to Forbes’ “The Top 10 Richest People in the World” rankings as of May 2026.
Despite a monthly decline of $35 billion, Musk’s net worth stood at $782 billion as of May 1. This stability follows a massive surge earlier this year when Musk briefly became the first person to surpass the $800 billion mark. The jump was attributed to SpaceX’s acquisition of xAI, a deal that valued the combined aerospace and artificial intelligence entity at $1.25 trillion, with Musk owning an estimated 40% stake.
AN ALL-AMERICAN, ALL-MALE TOP 10
For the first time in over three years, the entire top 10 list is composed exclusively of Americans. Additionally, every individual in the top 10 is male, with the entry threshold for the elite group rising to $147 billion, up from $142 billion just one month prior.
NOTABLE SHIFTS AND DEALS
- Alphabet Surge: Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin saw the most dramatic gains this month, fueled by a 33% rally in Alphabet shares. Page is now only the third person in history (joining Musk and Larry Ellison) to surpass a $300 billion valuation.
- Ellison’s Media Play: Larry Ellison’s fortune remains anchored by Oracle, but his recent activity involves high-stakes media consolidation. Through Paramount Skydance, Ellison is involved in a finalized $111 billion agreement to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, a move that has reshaped the entertainment landscape.
- The Walmart Legacy: The Walton family continues to dominate the lower half of the top 10. While Rob and Jim Walton hold the 9th and 10th spots, Alice Walton remains the world’s richest woman, ranking 13th globally with an estimated $138 billion.
- Exits: Long-time mainstays Bill Gates and France’s Bernard Arnault—previously the only non-U.S. citizen in the top 10—have both slipped out of the rankings following portfolio contractions and updated financial disclosures.
As SpaceX prepares for a highly anticipated Initial Public Offering (IPO) later this year, analysts suggest Musk’s net worth could see further volatility or growth depending on the market’s valuation of his unified space and AI empire.