Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg Surges to Fourth Richest Globally Following Company’s Financial Triumph

NEW YORK – Mark Zuckerberg, the driving force behind Meta Platforms, the conglomerate that owns Facebook, ascended to the fourth position on the global billionaires’ roster this Friday. This shift in ranking followed a significant surge in the company’s stock value, propelled by its robust financial performance.

According to Philippines News Agency, Zuckerberg’s fortune swelled by USD27.9 billion, a 19.88 percent increase, bringing his total net worth to USD167 billion. This financial leapfrog positioned Zuckerberg, aged 39, ahead of renowned billionaires such as Microsoft’s co-founder Bill Gates, investment magnate Warren Buffett, and Oracle’s co-founder Larry Ellison. Above Zuckerberg, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos holds the third spot with a net worth nearing USD194 billion, while SpaceX, Tesla, and X’s CEO Elon Musk is ranked second at USD198 billion. Leading the pack is Bernard Arnault, the 74-year-old chairman and CEO of the luxury titan LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, with a wealth of USD212 billion.

Zuckerberg’s dramatic rise on the billionaires list was triggered by Meta’s announcement that its income for the fourth quarter had more than tripled to USD14 billion. Additionally, the company reported a 25 percent increase in revenue year over year, reaching USD40.11 billion, alongside a successful 8 percent reduction in costs and expenses.

Following these strong financial outcomes, Meta Platforms’ stock price experienced a 20.3 percent jump, closing the week at USD474.99. Zuckerberg, holding a 13 percent stake in Meta, saw his financial status soar, underscoring the tech mogul’s influential presence in the digital and financial worlds.