Jeff Bezos could be the world’s first trillionaire by 2042
Jeff Bezos may be US$910.7 billion away from becoming the world’s first trillionaire, but research suggests he’s closer than some might think
A recent Oxfam report on wealth and inequality, entitled “An economy for the 99 per cent,” found super-rich people like Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, and Warren Buffett have seen their wealth collectively grow by huge margins over the last decade. Within the next 25 years, Bezos’ wealth could jump like never seen before.
According to Oxfam’s report, there were 793 billionaires worldwide in 2009. Added up, their net worths totaled US$2.4 trillion. By 2016, the richest 793 people maintained net worths of US$5 trillion — an annual growth of 11 per cent.
“If these returns continue, it is quite possible that we could see the world’s first trillionaire within 25 years,” the report stated.
In other words, Oxfam estimates that if trends hold, Bezos — whose momentary net worth of US$92.3 billion briefly led the pack on Bloomberg’s Billionaire Index on Thursday, before Gates reclaimed the top spot — could stand alone on future lists of “The World’s Trillionaires.”
The question that remains is whether either of the two men will try to keep increasing their wealth or put a chunk of it toward philanthropic efforts. Gates, at least, doesn’t seem to want the “world’s first trillionaire” distinction. Since leaving Microsoft in 2006, he has devoted his time and resources to eradicating infectious disease and improving education worldwide through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
In partnership with Warren Buffett, Gates and his wife have created the Giving Pledge for other billionaires who want to help public causes by giving away part or most of their fortunes.
