Taylor Swift and 264 Others Join Forbes’ Billionaires List
Forbes’ list of billionaires reached a record 2,781 in 2024, including new entrants such as Taylor Swift and Earvin “Magic” Johnson.


Forbes has released its 2024 list of billionaires and the list has grown to a record 2,781, with fresh faces including musician Taylor Swift, NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson and fashion designer Christian Louboutin.
The 2024 list includes 265 new billionaires — 141 more than were added in 2023 and 26 more than the previous record set in 2021. And, while the list grew overall, 189 people fell off the list due to death, bankruptcy, scandal and stock crashes, Forbes said.
Overall, 66% of the billionaires list are self-made, meaning they built their fortunes on their own, rather than inheriting it, which is down from 69% last year, Forbes said. One of the reasons for this decline is the start of “the great wealth transfer,” such as former billionaire Silvio Berlusconi dying last year and his five children taking his place on the list, it added.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Three of the most famous names joining the list are Taylor Swift, Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Christian Louboutin.
Swift, who has had an economic impact this year, became the first musician to join the list based solely on songwriting and performing. That's thanks to the record-breaking first leg of her Eras Tour, which helped her wealth soar to $1.1 billion, according to Forbes. Her fortune is also tied to her real estate portfolio, which is estimated to be worth $125 million, it added.
Johnson, who rose to stardom playing for the Los Angeles Lakers for 13 years, amassed his $1.2 billion fortune through joint ventures and partnerships, including movie theaters, franchises, real estate and healthcare, as well as ownership stakes in professional sports teams, including the NFL’s Washington Commanders and the MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers, according to Forbes.
Louboutin, the fashion designer behind the iconic red-soled high heels, saw his wealth swell to $1.2 billion, according to Forbes. His designs are featured in his more than 160 boutiques across 32 countries and were worn by the aforementioned Swift during her record-breaking Eras Tour, it added.
Forbes' top 10 billionaires
Here are the current top 10 billionaires, according to Forbes:
- Bernard Arnault and family: $233 billion
- Elon Musk: $195 billion
- Jeff Bezos: $194 billion
- Mark Zuckerberg: $177 billion
- Larry Ellison: $141 billion
- Warren Buffett: $133 billion
- Bill Gates: $128 billion
- Steve Ballmer: $121 billion
- Mukesh Ambani: $116 billion
- Larry Page: $114 billion
Forbes also features a real-time billionaires tracker, which shows the daily changes in the wealth of the world’s richest people.
Related Content
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

Joey Solitro is a freelance financial journalist at Kiplinger with more than a decade of experience. A longtime equity analyst, Joey has covered a range of industries for media outlets including The Motley Fool, Seeking Alpha, Market Realist, and TipRanks. Joey holds a bachelor's degree in business administration.
-
The Shutdown Standoff Is Heading for Its Next Big Test
A key mid-October deadline could intensify the shutdown fight in Washington, and the fallout could soon hit workers and your wallet.
-
Should You Buy Gold as It Tops $4,000? Here's What the Experts Say
Rate cuts, a weak dollar and macro uncertainty have helped create a "perfect storm" for gold this year. Should investors add exposure or is it too late to buy?
-
The Shutdown Standoff Is Heading for Its Next Big Test
A key mid-October deadline could intensify the shutdown fight in Washington, and the fallout could soon hit workers and your wallet.
-
Should You Buy Gold as It Tops $4,000? Here's What the Experts Say
Rate cuts, a weak dollar and macro uncertainty have helped create a "perfect storm" for gold this year. Should investors add exposure or is it too late to buy?
-
I Want to Retire, but I Have to Keep Working so My Adult Kids Have Insurance
It's a tricky period when your adult child is under 26 but needs health insurance. We ask financial experts for advice.
-
Preferred Bank Stocks: The Investment Retirees (and Others) May Be Missing Out On
Most large banks issue preferred stocks that pay out fixed dividends, often with higher yields than bonds. Should you make room for them in your portfolio?
-
Don't Let Your Equity Compensation Trip You Up: A Financial Expert's Guide
Stock options, RSUs and other executive perks can come with some serious strings attached. To avoid a nasty tax surprise, you need a plan.
-
Rally Fades on Mixed AI Revolution News: Stock Market Today
All three main U.S. equity indexes opened higher but closed lower as a seven-session winning streak for the S&P 500 came to an end.
-
I Work From Home, and These Are the Best Home Office Upgrades From October Prime Day and Anti-Prime Day Sales
Spruce up your office for less with these sales. You could also qualify for tax credits with some upgrades.
-
Should You Replace Your Financial Adviser with AI?
Financial Help Many people already ask AI for financial advice. But is it good enough to replace a human financial adviser?