Real estate is not only the preferred asset class for the world's wealthiest individuals, but also the source of many fortunes created through property development, land purchases, or building acquisitions. This conclusion comes from an analysis of the world's richest individuals list prepared by Forbes. According to the ranking, real estate was the primary source of wealth for 157 out of 1,828 billionaires globally.

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Real estate ranked third

Who earned the most from investments

Data analyzed by Lion’s Bank shows that the broad category of investments generated the most fortunes. A total of 186 people owe their billionaire status to this sector. Consistently over the years, among those who built their fortunes through investments are well-known figures such as Warren Buffett, George Soros, and John Paulson. Many billionaires also accumulated wealth through retail and the fashion industry. Thanks to these, Amancio Ortega amassed 64.5 billion USD (EUR 17.1 million), while Christy and Jim Walton (heirs to the Walmart founder) each have over 40 billion USD (EUR 10.7 million). A similar fortune was built by Liliane Bettencourt and her family (L'Oréal), and Bernard Arnault and his family (LVMH, Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) hold over 30 billion USD (EUR 7.9 million).

Real estate outperforms energy and gambling

Ranking third in terms of the number of billionaires is the real estate sector. It built the wealth of 157 billionaires worldwide. This is over 11 times more than the number of billionaires built through the oil and gas industry — commonly associated with great wealth. Paradoxically, the fossil fuel industry created fortunes for only 14 global billionaires, according to Forbes data from 2015. Interestingly, this is a small number even compared to those connected with sports (20 billionaires) or gambling (24 billionaires).

Real estate ranked third

Data analyzed by Lion’s Bank shows that the broad category of investments generated the most fortunes. A total of 186 people owe their billionaire status to this sector. Consistently over the years, among those who built their fortunes through investments are well-known figures such as Warren Buffett, George Soros, and John Paulson. Many billionaires also accumulated wealth through retail and the fashion industry. Thanks to these, Amancio Ortega amassed 64.5 billion USD (EUR 17.1 million), while Christy and Jim Walton (heirs to the Walmart founder) each have over 40 billion USD (EUR 10.7 million). A similar fortune was built by Liliane Bettencourt and her family (L'Oréal), and Bernard Arnault and his family (LVMH, Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) hold over 30 billion USD (EUR 7.9 million).

Real estate as a source of billionaire wealth

Ranking third in terms of the number of billionaires is the real estate sector. It built the wealth of 157 billionaires worldwide. This is over 11 times more than the number of billionaires built through the oil and gas industry — commonly associated with great wealth. Paradoxically, the fossil fuel industry created fortunes for only 14 global billionaires, according to Forbes data from 2015. Interestingly, this is a small number even compared to those connected with sports (20 billionaires) or gambling (24 billionaires).

Conclusion

The Forbes list of 1,828 billionaires shows that real estate development, land, and building acquisitions are among the most effective paths to great wealth. The real estate sector built the wealth of 157 individuals — third in number, behind broad investments (186 people) and retail and fashion.

Data from Lion’s Bank challenges the stereotype of oil and gas as the primary source of wealth: oil and gas account for the fortunes of only 14 billionaires — over 11 times fewer than real estate. For comparison, sports produced 20 billionaires and gambling 24.