The number of billionaires worldwide reached a record 3,795 individuals in 2025, with their combined wealth rising 12.8% to $15.1 trillion, according to data from wealth-intelligence firm Altrata reported by fortune.com. This collective fortune now represents nearly a quarter of the S&P 500’s market capitalization. Among them are 29 "superbillionaires" each holding fortunes exceeding $50 billion.
The surge in billionaire wealth is largely attributed to investments in artificial intelligence, which has been the primary driver of wealth generation for many, including Google co-founder Larry Page, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Bezos, who ranks as the third richest person with $282 billion, recently acquired nearly 40% of Premier League club Liverpool FC through a consortium, exemplifying billionaires’ growing interest in sports ownership and philanthropy.
The report highlights that sports have become the most popular investment and passion among the global billionaire class, valued not only for leisure and competition but also for social prestige and financial returns. Alongside sports, philanthropy remains a favored avenue for deploying wealth, reflecting billionaires’ efforts to build influence and legacy beyond their business ventures.
Bezos’s recent acquisition of a significant stake in Liverpool FC underscores the trend of billionaires channeling their wealth into sports franchises. The collective billionaire fortune of $15.1 trillion in 2025 marks a new peak, as documented by Altrata and reported by fortune.com.