Bezos bumps Musk from top of richest people list

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has bumped tech billionaire Elon Musk from the top of the richest people in the world, according to Bloomberg’s data.

The Bloomberg Billionaire Index listed Bezos as the richest person in the world with a total net worth of about $200 billion, overtaking Musk, whose net worth is about $198 billion. The outlet reported this is the first time in nine months that Musk has not been at the top of the list, which came as Tesla’s stock dropped by about 7.2 percent Monday.

Bloomberg also noted this is the first time Bezos has topped the list since 2021.

The billionaire stepped down as Amazon’s CEO in 2021 to focus on other pursuits, including his rocket company, Blue Origin, and philanthropy efforts. The Associated Press reported last month that Bezos sold nearly 12 million shares of Amazon stock worth more than $2 billion.

Bloomberg also reported the gap between Bezos’s and Musk’s wealth has been shrinking in recent years. Amazon shares have more than doubled since the end of 2022 and are now approaching its record highs, according to the outlet.

Meanwhile, they noted Tesla shares are down about 50 percent since its peak in 2021. According to the index, Bezos’s net worth has increased by about $23.4 billion so far this year, while Musk’s has dropped $31.3 billion.

Bernard Arnault, the chair of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, was listed as the third richest person with a net worth of about $197 billion.

The Hill has reached out to Tesla and Amazon for comment.

The Associated Press contributed.