NBA legend Magic Johnson, star Taylor Swift among newest billionaires on Forbes' list

There are more billionaires now than ever before, with 265 people including some of your favorite celebrities and athletes, joining the exclusive club this year alone, according to Forbes. 

Forbes, a publication focused on “the world of entrepreneurial capitalism” reported Tuesday that reporters found “2,781 people around the globe” — a record number of billionaires in 2024. 

Their wealth, when combined together adds up to $14.2 trillion. 

“They collectively command $510 billion in wealth, or $1.9 billion on average, and hail from 32 countries ... With many markets up, the surge in wealth has made 265 people billionaires over the past year, up from 150 newcomers in 2023, according to Forbes.

And yes, Taylor Swift is on the list. 

Forbes ‘new billionaires’ list has a couple familiar faces, Taylor Swift and NBA legend Magic Johnson among them

While Taylor Swift and Earvin “Magic” Johnson may be the most recognizable names on this list, they are certainly not the wealthiest. 

But they are among the newest, according to Forbes. 

Johnson, who is a newcomer this year was able to join the club thanks to “investments in professional sports teams, movie theaters, Starbucks franchises, real estate and healthcare,” according to Forbes. Johnson has an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion. 

Swift’s “Eras Tour” has surpassed $1 billion in revenue, making it the first “blockbuster tour” to do so. She has been able to amass great wealth from “tour earnings, music catalog value and real estate portfolio.” 

Swift, whose estimated net worth is $1.1 billion, is the “first musician to hit ten-figure status solely based on her songs and performances,” Forbes reported.

A name that might be a little less familiar to some, except for the fashionistas in the house, French designer Christian Louboutin joins the billionaires club with an “estimated $1.2 billion fortune.”

United States has the most billionaires, China follows closely behind 

Todd Graves, who is the founder of fast-food chain restaurant Raising Cane’s is one of 67 Americans who made list of billionaires this year, with Graves as a new addition. Graves’ net worth stands at an estimated $9.1 billion, Forbes reported. 

The United States is followed behind by China, which has “nearly doubled its  number of new billionaires from last year, to 31, despite troubles in the Asian nation.” 

The richest among China’s list are Maggie Gu, Molly Miao and Ren Xiaoqing, who together built Shein, a fast fashion brand. They are each worth an estimated $4.2 billion.

Renuka Jagtiani, the chief executive of e-commerce conglomerate Landmark Group joins India’s list of 25 new billionaires. The Landmark Group was created by her late husband Micky Jagtiani, who died in May 2023, according to Forbes. 

Livia Voigt, who is the world’s youngest billionaire “inherited a $1.1 billion fortune based on their stakes in Brazilian turbine manufacturer WEG, which was cofounded by their grandfather, the late Werner Ricardo Voigt,” according to Forbes. 

She is one of a handful of women on the 2024 Forbes list that have inherited their fortune through family connections. 

Newest billionaires, listed by estimated net worth in 2024

Andrea Pignataro

• Estimated net worth: $27.5 billion
• Industry: Financial software firm owner

Maggie Gu, Molly Miao and Ren Xiaoqing

• Estimated net worth: $12.6 billion
• Industry: Fast fashion brand co-founders

 Seth Boro, Scott Crabill and Holden Spaht,

• Estimated net worth: $9.9 billion
• Industry: Managing partners of a private equity

Giancarlo Devasini 

• Estimated net worth: $9.2 billion
• Industry: Tech

Todd Graves

• Estimated net worth: $9.1 billion
• Industry: Fast food chain founder

Charles Liang

• Estimated net worth: $6.1 billion
• Industry: Tech

Sofia Högberg Schörling and Märta Schörling Andreen

• Estimated net worth: $5.6 billion
• Industry: Daughters of Swedish investing tycoon

Renuka Jagtiani 

• Estimated net worth: $4.8 billion
• Industry: Chief executive of e-commerce firm

 Jean-Louis van der Velde 

• Estimated net worth: $3.9 billion
• Industry: Former CEO of crypto firm

Paolo Ardoino

• Estimated net worth: $3.9 billion
• Industry: Current CEO of crypto firm