Who Are the Youngest
Billionaires in the World in 2026?
What does it take to become a billionaire before turning 25? For some,
the answer is building a revolutionary technology company. For others, it means
inheriting a stake in a global business that took generations to establish.
The youngest billionaires in the world in 2026 represent both
sides of this story. While artificial intelligence is creating extraordinary
opportunities for young entrepreneurs, established family businesses continue
to generate enormous fortunes for the next generation.
According to Forbes' 2026 World’s Billionaires coverage, Brazilian
heiress Amelie Voigt Trejes is the world's youngest billionaire, while American
entrepreneurs Surya Midha, Brendan Foody, and Adarsh Hiremath have become
billionaires through their AI startup, Mercor.
In this article, we'll explore the five youngest male billionaires and
the five youngest female billionaires, examining their estimated fortunes,
business backgrounds, and the stories behind their wealth.
All net worth figures are estimates in US dollars and can change with market prices and company valuations. The rankings below are organized by age, not net worth.
Top 5 Youngest Male Billionaires in 2026
1. Johannes von Baumbach —
Germany 
Johannes von Baumbach
Age: 20 | Estimated
net worth: $6.6 billion | Source of wealth: Pharmaceuticals | Wealth
origin: Inheritance
Johannes von Baumbach belongs to the family behind Boehringer Ingelheim,
one of Germany's most prominent pharmaceutical companies.
Founded in 1885, Boehringer Ingelheim is a privately owned
pharmaceutical business with a global presence in human and animal health.
Unlike many major pharmaceutical companies, it is not publicly traded, and
ownership remains within the founding family.
Johannes inherited his fortune through this family connection. His
wealth reflects the long-term value of a business built over more than a
century rather than a company he personally founded.
Despite his extraordinary financial position at such a young age,
Johannes has largely remained outside the public spotlight. He has also been
reported to compete in alpine skiing in Austria.
His story demonstrates how family ownership can preserve substantial
wealth across generations.
2. Clemente Del Vecchio —
Italy 
Clemente Del Vecchio
Age: 21 | Estimated
net worth: $6.8 billion | Source of wealth: Eyewear | Wealth
origin: Inheritance
Clemente Del Vecchio is an heir to one of the world's most influential
eyewear businesses.
His late father, Leonardo Del Vecchio, founded Luxottica and built it
into a global eyewear powerhouse. The company later became part of
EssilorLuxottica, the multinational group associated with brands such as
Ray-Ban and Persol.
Following his father's death in 2022, Clemente inherited a substantial
economic interest in the family holding company, Delfin, which owns stakes in
EssilorLuxottica and other businesses.
The eyewear industry combines manufacturing, fashion, intellectual
property, and global distribution. Successful brands can retain commercial
value for decades, helping established companies build considerable wealth.
Clemente's billionaire status is therefore rooted in a family business
with an international footprint. His fortune illustrates how a globally
recognized brand can generate wealth that extends beyond its founder's
lifetime.
3. Surya Midha — United
States 
Surya Midha
Age: 22 | Estimated
net worth: $2.2 billion | Source of wealth: Artificial intelligence
| Wealth origin: Self-made
Surya Midha represents a new generation of entrepreneurs building
fortunes through artificial intelligence.
In 2023, he co-founded Mercor with Brendan Foody and Adarsh Hiremath.
The company operates in AI-related recruitment and talent services, helping
businesses connect with professionals and specialized expertise.
Midha and his co-founders identified an opportunity in a rapidly
expanding market: as AI companies develop increasingly sophisticated systems,
they need qualified people to evaluate, train, and improve those systems.
Mercor attracted major investor interest, and its valuation helped
propel the founders into billionaire territory.
Unlike inherited wealth, Midha's fortune is primarily linked to the
estimated value of his ownership stake in a private company. This means his net
worth can fluctuate substantially as investor expectations and business performance
change.
His story highlights the opportunities available to young founders who
identify a genuine need in a rapidly growing industry.
4. Brendan Foody — United
States 
Brendan Foody
Age: 22 | Estimated
net worth: $2.2 billion | Source of wealth: Artificial intelligence
| Wealth origin: Self-made
Brendan Foody is the co-founder and CEO of Mercor, the AI startup that
helped make him one of the youngest self-made billionaires in the world.
Foody and his co-founders developed their business around the growing
demand for specialized talent and AI-related services. Their platform helps
organizations find and assess professionals, addressing a challenge faced by
companies working with advanced AI systems.
Before focusing on Mercor, Foody had already explored entrepreneurship.
He later left Georgetown University to concentrate on building the company and
participated in the Thiel Fellowship program, which supports young
entrepreneurs pursuing ambitious projects.
Mercor's rapid growth reflects the broader expansion of the AI economy
and the willingness of investors to fund companies with the potential to
transform established industries.
Foody's estimated fortune largely represents the value of his equity in
Mercor rather than cash available for immediate spending.
His experience demonstrates how identifying an emerging market and
executing a business idea can create substantial wealth at an unusually young
age.
5. Adarsh Hiremath — United
States 
Adarsh Hiremath
Age: 22 | Estimated
net worth: $2.2 billion | Source of wealth: Artificial intelligence
| Wealth origin: Self-made
Adarsh Hiremath completes the group of three Mercor co-founders featured
among the youngest billionaires of 2026.
Hiremath helped establish the company alongside Foody and Midha in 2023.
The founders recognized that recruitment and talent assessment could benefit
from technology designed to make these processes more efficient.
As the AI industry expanded, Mercor positioned itself to serve
businesses seeking specialized contributors and expertise for AI development.
The company's growth demonstrates how startups can gain value quickly
when they address a problem in a rapidly expanding market. However,
private-company valuations are not guaranteed, and a founder's estimated net
worth may rise or fall with future investment rounds and business results.
Hiremath's story is a reminder that entrepreneurial success does not
always require decades of experience. In fast-moving industries, a strong idea,
a capable team, and effective execution can sometimes produce extraordinary
results within a few years.
Top 5 Youngest Female
Billionaires in 2026
1. Amelie Voigt Trejes —
Brazil 
Amelie Voigt Trejes
Age: 20 | Estimated
net worth: $1.1 billion | Source of wealth: Industrial machinery | Wealth
origin: Inheritance
Amelie Voigt Trejes is recognized by Forbes as the youngest billionaire
in the world in 2026.
Her fortune comes from WEG, the Brazilian multinational specializing in
electric motors, industrial automation, and energy-related technologies. The
company was founded in 1961 by Werner Ricardo Voigt, Eggon João da Silva, and
Geraldo Werninghaus.
Amelie is a granddaughter of co-founder Werner Ricardo Voigt and owns an
estimated 2% stake in WEG.
The company has expanded far beyond its Brazilian roots, supplying
industrial equipment and technology to international markets. Its products
serve sectors that depend on electrification, energy efficiency, and
automation.
Amelie's fortune is inherited rather than the result of a company she
founded. Nevertheless, her story illustrates how a business established decades
ago can create substantial wealth for younger generations.
Her place at the top of the youngest-billionaire rankings also
highlights the international reach of Brazil's industrial sector.
2. Lívia Voigt de Assis —
Brazil 
Lívia Voigt de Assis
Age: 21 | Estimated
net worth: $1.4 billion | Source of wealth: Industrial machinery | Wealth
origin: Inheritance
Lívia Voigt de Assis is another young Brazilian billionaire connected to
WEG.
A granddaughter of co-founder Werner Ricardo Voigt, Lívia owns an
estimated 3.1% stake in the company. Her wealth is tied to the value of this
ownership interest.
WEG's success demonstrates that industrial businesses can create
enormous fortunes even when they operate outside the consumer-facing technology
sector.
Its electric motors, automation systems, and energy-related products
serve customers in numerous countries. This international presence has helped
establish WEG as one of Brazil's best-known industrial multinationals.
Lívia has been reported to be pursuing university studies rather than
holding an executive position at the company.
Her story reflects the difference between owning a successful business
and managing its daily operations. An inherited stake in a valuable company can
provide substantial wealth even without a public leadership role.
3. Kim Jung-youn — South
Korea 
Kim Jung-youn
Age: 22 | Estimated
net worth: $1.7 billion | Source of wealth: Online gaming | Wealth
origin: Inheritance
Kim Jung-youn inherited a substantial fortune connected to Nexon, a
major company in the global video game industry.
Her father, Kim Jung-ju, founded Nexon and helped establish it as a
pioneer of online gaming. The company is known for franchises including MapleStory
and Dungeon & Fighter.
Following her father's death in 2022, Kim Jung-youn and her older sister
inherited interests associated with the family's ownership of the business.
Nexon's success reflects the transformation of gaming into a major
global entertainment industry. Online games can generate recurring revenue
through in-game purchases and other digital transactions, while successful
franchises may remain popular for many years.
Kim Jung-youn's fortune is linked to this established business rather
than to a company she founded herself.
Her inclusion in the rankings highlights the growing economic importance
of digital entertainment and Asian gaming companies.
4. Kim Jung-min — South
Korea
Age: 24 | Estimated
net worth: $1.7 billion | Source of wealth: Online gaming | Wealth
origin: Inheritance
Kim Jung-min is the older sister of Kim Jung-youn and another heir to
the fortune associated with Nexon.
The sisters inherited substantial interests following the death of their
father, Kim Jung-ju, whose company became an influential name in online gaming.
Nexon's business model helped popularize free-to-play games, which allow
players to access a game without an initial purchase while generating revenue
through optional digital content and in-game transactions.
This model has helped major gaming franchises reach large international
audiences and maintain long-lasting communities of players.
Kim Jung-min's wealth reflects the value of her family's ownership
interest in the business. Her story illustrates how digital entertainment
companies can create multigenerational fortunes, much like established
manufacturers and pharmaceutical businesses.
5. Dora Voigt de Assis —
Brazil 
Dora Voigt de Assis
Age: 28 | Estimated
net worth: $1.4 billion | Source of wealth: Industrial machinery | Wealth
origin: Inheritance
Dora Voigt de Assis is another member of the Brazilian family associated
with WEG.
She and her sister Lívia own an estimated 3.1% stake in the company,
which was co-founded by their late grandfather Werner Ricardo Voigt.
WEG has become a major international manufacturer of electric motors and
industrial equipment, with products serving customers in markets around the
world.
The company's business spans industrial automation, energy generation,
and technologies supporting electrification. Its long-term development
illustrates how engineering expertise and international expansion can build significant
corporate value.
Dora's billionaire status is tied to her ownership stake rather than to
a company she personally founded.
Her inclusion among the youngest female billionaires reinforces the role
of established Brazilian industrial businesses in creating wealth that can be
passed from one generation to the next.
Youngest Billionaires in
2026: A Quick Comparison
|
Name |
Age |
Estimated
net worth |
Main
source of wealth |
|
Johannes von Baumbach |
20 |
$6.6
billion |
Pharmaceuticals |
|
Clemente Del Vecchio |
21 |
$6.8
billion |
Eyewear |
|
Surya Midha |
22 |
$2.2
billion |
AI |
|
Brendan Foody |
22 |
$2.2
billion |
AI |
|
Adarsh Hiremath |
22 |
$2.2
billion |
AI |
|
Amelie Voigt Trejes |
20 |
$1.1
billion |
Industrial machinery |
|
Lívia Voigt de Assis |
21 |
$1.4
billion |
Industrial machinery |
|
Kim Jung-youn |
22 |
$1.7
billion |
Online gaming |
|
Kim Jung-min |
24 |
$1.7
billion |
Online gaming |
|
Dora Voigt de Assis |
28 |
$1.4
billion |
Industrial machinery |
s
are approximate estimates drawn from Forbes' iduals age and company valuations fluctuate.
Inheritance vs. Self-Made
Wealth: Two Paths to Billionaire Status
The youngest billionaires reveal two very different ways of accumulating
extraordinary wealth.
The power of family
businesses
Most of the people featured in this article inherited their fortunes
through ownership stakes in established companies.
WEG, Boehringer Ingelheim, EssilorLuxottica, and Nexon all have
substantial operating histories and international business operations. Their
value reflects years of investment, product development, brand building, and
market expansion.
Inheritance can transfer this accumulated value to the next generation,
allowing heirs to become billionaires at an age when most people are only
beginning their careers.
The rise of young
technology entrepreneurs
The three Mercor founders followed a different path.
They established a business addressing demand for AI-related talent and
services, then benefited from investor interest in the company's growth
prospects.
This approach can create wealth quickly, but it carries risks.
Private-company valuations can change substantially, and founders may face
competition, dilution of their ownership, or changes in market conditions.
The comparison shows that inherited wealth and entrepreneurial wealth
are not interchangeable. One generally reflects an existing ownership stake
passed down through a family, while the other depends on building a business
and increasing the value of its equity.
Why Are So Many Young
Billionaires Connected to Technology and Industry?
Three major trends help explain the fortunes of the youngest
billionaires in 2026.
1. Artificial intelligence is creating new
opportunities.
AI is attracting investment across software, recruitment, automation,
and other industries. Young founders who build valuable businesses in these
markets can see their ownership stakes increase rapidly in value.
2. Industrial companies remain powerful
wealth creators.
WEG demonstrates that manufacturing and engineering can create enormous
fortunes. Businesses supplying essential equipment to industries around the
world can benefit from long-term demand and international expansion.
3. Family ownership can preserve wealth
across generations.
Private and family-controlled businesses can transfer ownership to
heirs, allowing the financial value created by previous generations to remain
within the family.
Together, these trends show that there is no single formula for becoming
a billionaire. Wealth can emerge from entrepreneurship, industrial expertise,
global brands, and inherited ownership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the youngest
billionaire in the world in 2026?
According to Forbes' 2026 reporting, Amelie Voigt Trejes of Brazil is
the world's youngest billionaire. At 20, her estimated $1.1 billion fortune is
connected to her ownership stake in WEG.
Who is the youngest male
billionaire in 2026?
Johannes von Baumbach, aged 20, is among the youngest male billionaires
in the 2026 rankings. His fortune is linked to his family's ownership of German
pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim.
Who has the highest net
worth among the ten billionaires featured here?
Clemente Del Vecchio has the highest estimated net worth among the ten
individuals featured, at approximately $6.8 billion. His fortune is connected
to the family's ownership of EssilorLuxottica through the holding company
Delfin.
Are all young billionaires
heirs?
No. Surya Midha, Brendan Foody, and Adarsh Hiremath built their fortunes
through Mercor, the AI-related startup they co-founded. Their wealth is linked
to the company's estimated valuation and their ownership stakes.
How do young billionaires
make their money?
Their wealth generally comes from ownership in companies. This can
include inherited shares in established businesses or equity in companies they
founded. A billionaire's estimated net worth is not necessarily the amount of
cash they have available.
Can billionaire rankings
change?
Yes. Public stock prices fluctuate, private businesses are revalued, and
ownership stakes may change. Age-based rankings also change as individuals
celebrate birthdays and new billionaires emerge.
Final Thoughts: The Next
Generation of Global Wealth
The youngest billionaires in the world in 2026 offer a glimpse into how
wealth is created and transferred in a changing global economy.
From Brazil's WEG family to Germany's pharmaceutical heirs and South
Korea's gaming fortunes, inherited ownership remains a powerful force. At the
same time, the success of Mercor's founders shows how AI and entrepreneurship
can create new fortunes in a relatively short period.
These stories highlight an important distinction: becoming wealthy
through inheritance and building wealth through entrepreneurship are different
paths, each shaped by business ownership and economic opportunity.
As artificial intelligence, industrial automation, and digital
entertainment continue to evolve, the next generation of billionaires may
emerge from industries that are only beginning to take shape today.
The real story is not just how young these
billionaires are, but how the businesses behind their fortunes were built—and
how their value may evolve in the years ahead.
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