These 7 billionaires’ net worth is up more than 50% since start of the Covid-19 pandemic
As the coronavirus pandemic took hold in across the country and the world, millions of Americans’ lives were disrupted as they faced illness, unemployment levels not seen the Great Depression and whiplash-inducing market volatility.
But some billionaires who saw their fortunes dive as the market tanked in March have recovered and even surpassed their previous levels of wealth. Using Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaire List, GoBankingRates.com found that seven of the world’s 50 richest people increased their net worth by more than 50% between March 18 (a week after Covid-19 was declared a pandemic and two days after the Dow recorded one its worst one-day point drop in history) and June 4 (when a majority of states had begun to reopen).
Elon Musk, CEO of Telsa/SpaceX/The Boring Company
Beginning net worth on March 18: $24.6 billion
Ending net worth on June 4: $38.2 billion
Amount gained: $13.6 billion
Percentage change: Up 55%
Total cash donations towards Covid-19: No information available
Current net worth as of June 16: $42 billion
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook
Beginning net worth on March 18: $54.7 billion
Ending net worth on June 4: $83.4 billion
Amount gained: $28.7 billion
Percentage change: Up 52.47%
Total cash donations towards Covid-19: more than $150 million
Current net worth as of June 16: $87.4 billion
Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Indian energy company Reliance Industries
Beginning net worth on March 18: $36.8 billion
Ending net worth on June 4: $58 billion
Amount gained: $21.2 billion
Percentage change: Up 57.6%
Total cash donations towards Covid-19: $68.3 million
Current net worth as of June 16: $59.4 billion
Dieter Schwarz, owner of German retail group Schwarz Group
Beginning net worth on March 18: $19.8 billion
Ending net worth on June 4: $33.1 billion
Amount gained: $13.3 billion
Percentage change: Up 67%
Total cash donations towards Covid-19: No information available
Current net worth as of June 16: $30.8 billion
Tadashi Yanai and family, founder and president of Japanese fashion company Fast Retailing
Beginning net worth on March 18: $19.7 billion
Ending net worth on June 4: $29.6 billion
Amount gained: $9.9 billion
Percentage change: Up 50.2%
Total cash donations towards Covid-19: No information available
Current net worth as of June 16: $29.7 billion
Alain Wertheimer, co-owner of Chanel
Beginning net worth on March 18: $17.1 billion
(Wertheimer’s net worth is separate from his brother, Gerard, who is co-owns the company with.)
Ending net worth on June 4: $26.3 billion
Amount gained: $9.2 billion
Percentage change: Up 53.8 percent
Total cash donations towards Covid-19: No information available
Current net worth as of June 16: $24.7 billion
Gerard Wertheimer, co-owner of Chanel
Beginning net worth on March 18: $17.1 billion
Ending net worth on June 4: $26.3 billion
Amount gained: $9.2 billion
Percentage change: Up 53.8%
Total cash donations towards Covid-19: No information available
Current net worth as of June 16: $24.7 billion
