Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg has become the fifth richest person globally, riding the waves of a remarkable surge in Meta’s share price. In the year 2024 alone, Zuckerberg has witnessed an astonishing increase of $14.3 billion in his net worth, propelling him to the fifth spot on Bloomberg’s Billionaire Index.
Currently, Zuckerberg owns a 13% stake in Meta, the social media giant he founded in 2004 during his time at Harvard University. As the shares of Meta experienced a 15% surge in post-market trading on Thursday, Zuckerberg’s net worth is poised for further expansion in the coming days. This surge elevated Meta’s market capitalization by over $140 billion, reaching an impressive $1.17 trillion.
The success story of Meta continues, with its shares boasting a 14% increase in 2024 and an outstanding 109% surge over the past 12 months. Since its initial public offering in 2012, Meta’s stock has skyrocketed by an astonishing 933%. The company’s growth is reflected not only in its financial success but also in its decision to declare its first-ever dividend, contributing to the ongoing rise in shareholder value.
Mark Zuckerberg, the world’s youngest self-made billionaire at the age of 23 in 2007, is set to receive an annual dividend of $700 million from Meta, further solidifying his financial standing. With a net worth of $142 billion, he now stands proudly as the fifth richest person globally, following tech titans such as Elon Musk, Bernard Arnault, Jeff Bezos, and Bill Gates.
As Zuckerberg climbs the ranks of the Bloomberg Billionaire Index, it is noteworthy that the list is increasingly dominated by U.S. tech billionaires. The top 10 billionaires predominantly hail from the tech industry, with only luxury goods tycoon Bernard Arnault and Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett representing diverse sectors.
Zuckerberg’s rapid rise in net worth places him at the forefront of the list of individuals who have experienced the most significant wealth increases in 2024, surpassing notable figures like Indian steel magnate Gautam Adani and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.
In a world where fortunes fluctuate, it’s interesting to observe the dynamic nature of wealth. While Zuckerberg’s net worth soars, the current richest person, Elon Musk, has faced a dip in his fortunes, with a $23.6 billion decrease in net worth in 2024 due to a sharp drop in Tesla’s share price.
Mark Zuckerberg, alongside philanthropic-minded billionaires Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, has pledged to give away 99% of his wealth. This commitment reflects a growing trend among the world’s wealthiest individuals to contribute significantly to social causes and make a positive impact beyond financial success.
