Touching Opulence: Your Everyday Connections With the World’s Wealthiest

The secret to the success of the world’s most famous companies, such as Alphabet, Amazon, Bloomberg, Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH), and others, is that they provide unique, in-demand goods and services. Their competitive advantages, continual improvements, and wise management by the founders and CEOs have earned them the loyalty of millions worldwide. You may not have noticed your almost daily connections with some of the world's wealthiest people through their companies and other activities. Let’s dive deeper and see all the places where you connect.

1. Bernard Arnault and family (USD 211 billion)

Bernard Arnault had an ambitious idea to create a company that would become a world leader in the production and sale of luxury goods. In 1987, he began to make this a reality by investing USD 500 million in Moët Hennessy and Louis Vuitton, two iconic French companies that later merged into LVMH. As of today, LVMH is a family-run group of 75 distinguished brands of luxury goods.

Arnault manages the LVMH empire while each of his five children hold executive roles in its most famous brands, including Dior, Tiffany, TAG Heuer, Louis Vuitton, and Loro Piana. Four of Arnault's five children sit on the LVMH board, and the youngest one expects an appointment – grooming them all as possible successors in Arnault’s role as Chief Executive of LVMH.

If not every day, then regularly you could encounter LVMH products, available under such well-known fashion brands as Louis Vuitton, Sephora, Dior, Tiffany, Celine, and Stella McCartney, alongside Hennessy (cognac), Moët & Chandon (champagne), and other exclusive names.

Bernard Arnault and his family
Source: The Wall Street Journal

2. Elon Musk (USD 180 billion)

Elon Musk’s entrepreneurial spirit has enabled him to conquer ever-increasing heights by developing cutting-edge, world-changing technologies. You can follow news about SpaceX or Neuralink on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter that Musk bought in October 2022.

You can pay for goods or exchange money between accounts via PayPal, which was co-founded by Musk and other members of the so-called “PayPal Mafia.”

You can also drive a Tesla car, produced by the company led by Elon. Musk has repeatedly shown his commitment to Tesla, which has been called the crown jewel of Musk’s portfolio as he owns a 20.5% stake in the company.

Elon Musk and Tesla
Source: Ticker

3. Jeffrey Bezos (USD 114 billion)

Amazon, the e-commerce giant, boasts an astonishing 1.3 billion monthly visits as of April 2023, firmly cementing it as the preeminent online marketplace in Europe and much of the rest of the world. Through Amazon’s website and services, millions of individuals connect with Jeffrey Bezos, the company’s founder, executive chairman, and former CEO. Daily, his company delivers 20 million packages worldwide through the Delivery Service Partner (DSP) program, showcasing its logistical prowess.

Even if you’re not an active Amazon user, chances are you’ve encountered its influence. Whether receiving gifts purchased from its catalog or conducting transactions through Shopify’s integration with Amazon, the impact of this digital giant is undeniable.

You may also have found yourself enjoying books gifted or purchased from Amazon in hardcover or on a Kindle, one of the most popular e-reading devices, or perusing The Washington Post, owned by Bezos himself. Further, you may have enjoyed a movie on Amazon Prime Video and asked Alexa to adjust the sound on the Echo smart speaker. Bezos’ company owns all these products.

Lurking beneath the surface of these consumer-facing innovations lies Amazon Web Services (AWS). Whether used by individuals, corporations, or governmental entities, AWS serves as the backbone of the digital age, providing cloud-based solutions for data storage and management.

Jeffrey Bezos, former CEO of Amazon
Source: Isarta Infos

4. Larry Ellison (USD 107 billion)

Much like Amazon Web Services, Oracle Corporation, co-founded by Larry Ellison, is a leading provider of databases and software solutions that assist businesses in streamlining information management. Oracle’s services are used in both industry and government sectors, and include customer relationship management, financial administration, banking, healthcare, insurance, marketing, and virtually every commercial and administrative domain. This means you may unknowingly have daily connections to Ellison.

Beyond his executive roles, Larry Ellison is an ardent yachtsman and was the primary financial backer of Oracle Team USA when it won the America’s Cup in 2010 and successfully defended its title in 2013.

Additionally, Ellison is the proud owner of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and Masters tournament in California, having made a substantial investment of USD 100 million in the club. If you share a passion for active sports, you may find a kindred spirit in Larry Ellison.

Larry Ellison holds aloft the America’s Cup trophy after winning in 2013
Source: Business Insider

5. Warren Buffett (USD 106 billion)

Under the guidance of Warren Buffett, known as the Oracle of Omaha, Berkshire Hathaway’s interests primarily lie within the realms of materials production, construction, and insurance. Buffett is renowned for his investment acumen, so it should come as no surprise that many successful brands under Berkshire’s umbrella may already be part of your daily routine.

If you find yourself reaching for a flashlight or other portable device, chances are you’re relying on Duracell batteries. Likewise, Kraft Heinz ketchup might be your favorite condiment, while Fruit of the Loom could be behind some of your casual attire and sports equipment. All these companies are owned by Berkshire Hathaway.

Despite being a non-smoker and teetotaler, Warren Buffett is well known for his sharp mental acuity and unsophisticated tastes. His close friend Bill Gates once quipped that Buffett’s diet consists mainly of hamburgers, ice cream, and Coke.

Indeed, Buffett has admitted he drinks as many as five cans of Coca-Cola daily; a significant share of that company happens to be held by Berkshire Hathaway. Every time you enjoy an ice-cold Coca-Cola, you share this passion with Warren Buffett.

Warren Buffett and Bill Gates play bridge
Source: CNBC

6. Bill Gates (USD 104 billion)

Bill Gates’ businesses are ubiquitous, the most famous being the Microsoft company founded by Gates in 1975. Regardless of whether you're an iPhone user, it's highly probable that your computer operates on the Microsoft operating system (OS), which holds a dominating 68.15% share of the global operating system market for desktops, tablets, and consoles, as of February 2024.

Other popular Microsoft products that you also might use are the Office pack, which includes Word, Excel, Teams, Clipchamp, and Skype, the search engine Bing, the cloud storage service OneDrive, and the software development platform GitHub.

You likely have a profile page on LinkedIn, which is also owned by Microsoft, which you might access from a Surface laptop or even an Xbox gaming console, both of which are products of the company's innovative prowess.

Bill Gates near the office of Microsoft
Source: Benzinga

7. Michael Bloomberg (USD 94.5 billion)

In the realm of trading and financial management, interaction with Michael Bloomberg's information terminals is a daily occurrence. Since its inception in 1981, Bloomberg L.P., the company he co-founded, has transformed the landscape of information services.

Nowadays, Bloomberg L.P. provides a comprehensive suite of financial software and enterprise applications, including analytics, equity trading platforms, data services, and timely business and market news.

Beyond that, you can read Bloomberg Businessweek, a prominent economic magazine, and tune in to Bloomberg Television, two businesses that solidify the company's stature as one of the world's two leading providers of financial information to professionals in the market.

Having served as the mayor of New York City for three terms, Michael Bloomberg stands apart from the typical mold of entrepreneurs and wealthy individuals. Renowned for his philanthropy, Bloomberg finds enjoyment in pursuits such as piloting aircraft, golfing, and indulging in high-speed drives — activities that may resonate with you and those who share similar interests.

Michael Bloomberg in the company office
Source: Facebook

8. Françoise Bettencourt Meyers and family (USD 80.5 billion)

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, the world’s wealthiest woman, is the granddaughter of the founder of L’Oréal, the largest cosmetics company globally by market value. Following her mother’s death in 2017, Françoise assumed the role of Vice Chairwoman at the company as the Meyers family inherited a significant 33% stake in L'Oréal.

L'Oréal stands among the prominent European companies that have driven market records, known as ‘Granola’ issues. With ownership of 36 personal care brands, including Lancôme, Yves Saint Laurent, Prada, Maybelline New York, and Garnier, the company’s presence permeates daily life, ensuring regular connections with both her family and the company.

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, Vice Chairman of L’Oréal
Source: Business Insider

9. Larry Page (USD 79.2 billion)

Larry Page co-founded Google with his business partner Sergey Brin in 1998, later rebranding the company as Alphabet. While Page served as CEO until 2019, he maintains a pivotal role as a board member and retains significant control as a major shareholder.

Anyone who uses a computer or smartphone likely interacts with Larry Page and his company through the ubiquitous use of Google, the world’s leading internet search engine.

Much like L’Oréal's influence in Europe, Alphabet has emerged as one of the 'Magnificent Seven' mega-cap US companies that has helped drive stock indices prices for years. Beyond its renowned search engine, Alphabet’s success lies in its diverse portfolio, encompassing innovative products such as Google Nest for smart home automation, Fitbit smartwatches, and YouTube, the second most popular social network globally.

Larry Page, co-founder of Alphabet
Source: Medium

10. Amancio Ortega (USD 77.3 billion)

Amancio Ortega, with his ex-wife Rosalia, established Inditex, a leading force in the fast fashion industry, in 1985. The company reigns as the world's largest in this domain, holding renowned clothing retailers such as Zara, Massimo Dutti, Pull&Bear, Bershka, and Stradivarius.

Despite his status as a leader in the fast fashion industry, Amancio Ortega maintains a low profile, preferring a quiet and unassuming lifestyle. A generous philanthropist, he eschews private offices in favor of collaborative open-plan workspaces. In his leisure time, Ortega is known to enjoy horseback riding and raising chickens. If you share a passion for animal care, you may find a kindred spirit in Amancio Ortega.

Amancio Ortega, founder of Inditex
Source: AQA Capital

Final thoughts

The individuals ranked among the wealthiest in the world have attained their status through a relentless pursuit of innovation, fostering groundbreaking companies that advance technology and enhance people’s lives. This dedication has propelled their companies’ growth and enriched the lives of countless individuals worldwide who rely on their products daily — individuals like you who can benefit from these transformative innovations.

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