Female Billionaire Overtakes Elon Musk as World’s Richest, Dangote Loses Ground
The global billionaire rankings have taken a dramatic turn as Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken, the largest shareholder in beer giant Heineken N.V., has surged past Elon Musk and other tech moguls to become the world’s richest person.
According to Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires Index, Charlene’s net worth skyrocketed to an unprecedented $11.04 trillion, making her the first female billionaire in history to top the world’s wealth rankings.
Who is Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken?
Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken, 70, controls nearly 24% of Heineken N.V., the world’s second-largest brewer, which her late father Freddy Heineken once led.
She inherited her fortune in 2002 and, together with her husband Michel de Carvalho and their children Charles, Alexander, and Louisa Brassey, sits on Heineken’s board.
In July 2024, her wealth was estimated at $14.1 billion. Less than a year later, her net worth has ballooned into the trillions—propelled by Heineken’s global dominance, particularly in Africa, the U.S., and Europe.
Dirk Rossmann Becomes 2nd Richest
Following Charlene is Dirk Rossmann, founder of the German drugstore chain Rossmann. His family’s net worth now stands at $670.2 billion.
Rossmann, who began his business at age 25, has expanded into private equity investments and even owns a stake in Bundesliga club Hannover 96.
Elon Musk Falls to Third
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, once the world’s richest, has slipped to third place despite a net worth of $349.8 billion.
Musk’s wealth dropped by over $100 billion since December 2024, largely due to a slump in Tesla stock—exacerbated by concerns over his political activities.
Still, Musk gained $2.2 billion in just 24 hours, but it wasn’t enough to reclaim the top spot.
Current Top Billionaires (March 5, 2025)
- Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken – $11.04 trillion
- Dirk Rossmann & Family – $670.2 billion
- Elon Musk – $349.8 billion
- Mark Zuckerberg – $223.8 billion
- Jeff Bezos – $221.1 billion
- Larry Ellison – $196.6 billion
- Bernard Arnault & Family – $181.8 billion
- Warren Buffett – $154.9 billion
- Larry Page – $142.1 billion
- Sergey Brin – $135.9 billion
Nigerian Billionaires Hold Their Ground
Despite recent losses, Aliko Dangote remains Africa’s richest man and the only African in the world’s top 100.
- Aliko Dangote – $23.9 billion (Rank 87, despite losing $9 million)
- Mike Adenuga – $6.8 billion
- Abdulsamad Rabiu – $5.2 billion
- Femi Otedola – $1.5 billion
Dangote’s fortune is tied to his 92.3% stake in Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals. His $23 billion refinery, launched in 2024, disrupted Nigeria’s oil sector and has reshaped Africa’s energy market.
“Not Always About Innovation” – Analyst
Speaking on the shifting billionaire dynamics, financial analyst Ishaya Ibrahim noted that the world’s richest list isn’t only about innovation.
“Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and even Dangote built their fortunes through industry and innovation. Charlene, however, rose by inheriting a powerful family legacy. Holding a stake in Heineken, a globally dominant brand, naturally pulled her into unimaginable wealth,” Ibrahim explained.
Nigerian-American Adebayo Ogunlesi Sees Wealth Rise
Nigerian-born investor Adebayo Ogunlesi, now a board member of OpenAI, also saw his wealth grow to $2.3 billion, up from $1.7 billion earlier this year.
His portfolio, valued at $1.8 billion, has benefited greatly from his new influence in AI and global tech.
Conclusion
The world’s richest list has entered uncharted territory with Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken’s $11 trillion fortune rewriting history.
Her rise underscores how family inheritance can outpace even the most innovative entrepreneurs, while African billionaires like Dangote continue to battle global market shifts to hold their ground.
