The Forbes 400 list of America’s wealthiest people typically includes individuals who are older, with an average age of 70. However, there are a lucky few who have managed to amass significant wealth at a young age. This year, there are 26 billionaires on the list who are under 50, with the 10 youngest all aged 42 or under. Together, these young moguls have a combined net worth of $273 billion, with Mark Zuckerberg leading the pack with an estimated worth of $181 billion.
The youngest members of The Forbes 400 list include individuals who have inherited their wealth, such as Lukas Walton, the grandson of Walmart’s Sam Walton, who is worth an estimated $33.9 billion. Others, like Ernest Garcia III, the founder of Carvana, and Lynsi Snyder, the owner of In-N-Out Burger, have built their own fortunes through successful business ventures. Additionally, entrepreneurs like Nathan Blecharczyk of Airbnb and Brian Armstrong of Coinbase have made their mark in industries like hospitality and cryptocurrency.
The number of under-40 members on The Forbes 400 list has been declining, with only two remaining this year. Some young billionaires, like Zuckerberg and his Facebook cofounder Dustin Moskovitz, have aged out of the under-40 category. Others, like Snap cofounders Evan Spiegel and Bobby Murphy, have dropped off the list as their companies faced challenges. Unfortunately, there have been some instances of young entrepreneurs experiencing setbacks, such as FTX’s Sam Bankman-Fried, who is now serving a prison sentence for fraud.
Despite the challenges of maintaining a spot on The Forbes 400 list, the young billionaires featured in this year’s list have achieved remarkable success. From creating innovative companies in industries like used cars, fast food, social media, and cryptocurrency, these individuals have shown that age is no barrier to amassing significant wealth. As they continue to build their empires and navigate the ever-changing landscape of business, the future looks bright for these young moguls who have a whole lot of money—and plenty of time to spend it.
