The Most Successful Investors in the World

Warren Buffett Rings Opening Bell At New York Stock Exchange

For all you who dream about becoming an entrepreneur, one of the best things to look forward to is taking the money earned from a number of different businesses and investing it into other hopeful business owners. And while it involves a lot of risk—especially when considering these people are using real, cold-hard cash—there are a few who just happen to be really good at it. These are just some of them, as they’re the most successful investors in the world.

5. Mikhail Prokhorov – $10.9 billion

One of the younger billionaire investors on this list at age 48, the Russian Prokhorov is best known for his purchase of the then New Jersey Nets and then spearheading the team’s move to Brooklyn a few seasons ago. As chairman of Russia’s top producers in nickel, palladium and gold, Mikhail has continued to invest his fortune in other parts of the industry as well.

4. Ronald Perelman – $14 billion

Though successful, if there’s one thing that Ronald Perelman would probably admit about his fortune, it’s that its cost him a personal life—as he’s been married five times. Still, Perelman has proven to be savvy in the business world, investing in things like Panavision and Revlon cosmetics, leading him to a net worth of $14 billion.

3. Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud – $20.2 million

Often hailed as the most influential Arab in the world, Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud has made his fortune mainly from real estate in hotels, but also boasts an impressive portfolio of other industries like banking, media and various entertainment projects. As owner of Kingdom Holding Company, he has hired a number of other leaders to maintain his wealth.

2. Carl Icahn – $24.5 billion

A well-known and respected American investor, Icahn is the owner of a company bearing his name, as well as having hands in a number of different industries on the stock market. From the gaming industry to food packaging and real estate, this guy has seemingly done it all to help add value to both himself and his company.

1. Warren Buffett – $58.5 billion

Arguably the world’s greatest investor for a few decades now, Warren Buffett is associated with both family values and hitting home runs on his incredible stock investments. With the respect he has on people around the globe, it’s no wonder Time Magazine named Buffett its most influential person on the planet a few years ago.

Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images

Written by Nick Dimengo

Graduate of the University of Kentucky. Cleveland sports fan. Frustrated respecter of LeBron James. Influencer of bad ideas. In addition to Worthly/Housely, I'm a regular contributor to Bleacher Report, Scout, Esquire and Maxim, and run or bike way too much for my own good when not writing. The day a Cleveland sports team wins a title is the day I can officially say my life is complete.