Photos: How Many Billionaires Have Lost Wealth and Who Are the 10 Successful Billionaires According to Forbes

Nearly half of the billionaires have lost wealth in the past year. However, there are exceptions: some billionaires have not only preserved their fortunes but have also increased them.

This year has been a tough one for many billionaires, with their numbers declining. Forbes has counted 2,640 ten-digit owners in the ranking of the world's richest people, down from 2,668 in 2022.

Moreover, they have become poorer, with their total wealth amounting to $12.2 trillion, which is $500 billion less than the previous year. However, not all of the world’s wealthiest have lost money. Despite a poor year for markets, rising inflation, and a tense geopolitical situation in Eastern Europe, more than 1,000 billionaires have increased their wealth, some by tens of billions of dollars.

Among the top performers is luxury goods magnate Bernard Arnault, who has seen record growth of $53 billion in his fortune since last year, the most of anyone in the world. His LVMH shares, which own brands such as Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, and Tiffany & Co., have increased by 18% due to high demand. Arnault's wealth now stands at $211 billion, allowing him to take the top spot in the ranking of the world's richest people. This is the first time he has topped the list, and it is also the first instance of a French citizen leading it.

Singapore's coal king, Low Tuck Kwong, is $21.8 billion richer, with an estimated wealth of $25.5 billion. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has disrupted energy markets globally and raised coal prices. His fortune has increased by nearly 600%, the highest percentile increase among those in the ranking.

Other successful billionaires include Amancio Ortega, founder of Inditex, Swiss shipping magnate Gianluigi Aponte, and former New York City mayor and Bloomberg LP co-founder Michael Bloomberg.

The wealth of the world's richest billionaires has been captured in a photo series by Forbes. The measure of wealth was calculated as of March 10, 2023.