Those Zany Billionaires

Billionaires are getting younger. And weirder.

TikTok famous founders. Gamers. NFT kings. Sneaker people. Data. A gym shark. The 2025 list has 247 new billionaires, and a surprising number of them didn't start with a fancy degree or a trust fund.

What does that mean for you?

The ladder isn't gone—it's just been flipped sideways. You don't have to wait 30 years to get rich. But you do have to take a risk.

"Forbes has been scanning the globe for billionaires since 1987. We found 140 of them that first year. It took decades for their numbers to swell beyond 1,000. Then there were 2,000 in 2017. Now, eight years later, another milestone: 3,028 entrepreneurs, investors and heirs make up this year's ranking, 247 more than a year ago. Not only are there more of them, but they're richer than ever, worth $16.1 trillion in total—up nearly $2 trillion over 2024. The U.S. has a record 902 billionaires, followed by China (516, including Hong Kong) and India (205)."

While still deeply respecting the OGs (Buffett, 94, didn't get rich fast, he got rich forever), Elon back up at #1 with $342bn, Zuckerberg, Bezos, Larry Ellison... they're all still there, but it feels, more than ever before, like young people are flipping the script.

If you think you're too young or too broke to invest or build something of value, consider this:

You're not too young. You're early.

You're not broke. You're unleveraged.

Your 20s are your launchpad.

Learn how money works.

Build a digital skill.

Start something weird on the side.

Join a startup and ask for equity.

Invest $5 a week and increase it when you can.

The results just might surprise you.