Forbes recently released its annual ranking of the world’s wealthiest individuals, with some notable names either soaring to new heights or falling off the list altogether. The 2025 Forbes Billionaire List saw 107 individuals lose their billionaire status, slipping below the threshold required to remain on the prestigious list.
One high-profile individual who failed to make the cut this year is Lisa Su. As the CEO of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Su led a remarkable turnaround in the tech world. Since taking charge in 2014, AMD’s stock soared nearly 40-fold by early 2024. Born in Tainan, Taiwan, in 1969, Su immigrated to New York City at a young age. With a background in mathematics and engineering, she graduated from MIT before joining AMD in 2012. Two years later, she became CEO and was among just 26 self-made women in the US to build a billion-dollar fortune by 2024.
Another notable absence from the list is Sara Liu, who co-founded Super Micro Computer Inc. with her husband Charles Liang in 1993. Despite Supermicro’s growth and partnership with Nvidia, Liu dropped off Forbes’ 2025 billionaire list. Nicolas Puech, a descendant of the Hermes family, also saw his fortune vanish, causing his exit from the list despite his deep ties to the iconic Parisian luxury brand.
Despite these exits, the billionaire population hit a record 3,028 individuals in 2025, surpassing the 3,000 mark for the first time. Their combined wealth surged to $16.1 trillion, up $2 trillion from the previous year. While some billionaires lost their spots, 288 new individuals joined the ranks in 2025, including notable figures like Bruce Springsteen, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Jerry Seinfeld.
Elon Musk was among the biggest winners, with his net worth soaring by 75%, reaching an unprecedented $342 billion. This milestone made him the first person in history to surpass $300 billion, solidifying his position as one of the wealthiest individuals in the world.
The 2025 Forbes Billionaire List showcases the ever-changing landscape of wealth accumulation, with some individuals rising to new heights while others face challenges that lead to their exclusion from the prestigious list.
