Five of the Youngest Billionaires: How They Reached Elite Status Through Inheritance and Innovation

The billionaires’ club has always been considered the preserve of seasoned entrepreneurs with decades of business experience. Yet a growing number of remarkably young individuals have already claimed their place among the world’s wealthiest people. According to recent wealth rankings, today’s youngest billionaire success stories span multiple industries—from pharmaceuticals and industrial manufacturing to cutting-edge artificial intelligence and digital entertainment—revealing that the path to extreme wealth takes many forms.

The Inherited Fortune Route: Three Young Heirs Reshaping Family Legacies

Lívia Voigt de Assis (Age 20) — Industrial Sector

Brazilian entrepreneur Lívia Voigt de Assis stepped into billionaire status through her significant shareholding in WEG Industries, a powerhouse in electric motors and automation technology. Her 3.1% stake in the multinational corporation—co-established by her grandfather Werner Ricardo Voigt—translates to a net worth of $1.2 billion. Though she remains inactive in day-to-day operations, her wealth is anchored through family trust arrangements and stock holdings. Alongside her sister, who holds an identical stake, Voigt de Assis represents the emerging generation of Brazil’s most prominent industrial families.

Clemente Del Vecchio (Age 20) — Luxury Eyewear

The eyewear industry produced another remarkably young billionaire when Clemente Del Vecchio inherited his family’s vast holdings following his father Leonardo Del Vecchio’s passing in 2022. The Italian heir received a 12.5% stake in Delfin, the family’s investment vehicle controlling significant portions of EssilorLuxottica—the conglomerate behind iconic brands Ray-Ban and Oakley. Del Vecchio’s $6.6 billion fortune is managed through institutional trust structures, positioning him as one of the wealthiest young individuals globally. His half-brothers Luca and Leonardo Maria similarly entered billionaire ranks through comparable family wealth transfers.

Johannes von Baumbach (Age 19) — Pharmaceutical Innovation

At just 19 years old, German heir Johannes von Baumbach holds claim to being the world’s youngest known billionaire, with an estimated net worth of $5.4 billion stemming from his stake in Boehringer Ingelheim. The family-controlled pharmaceutical enterprise ranks among Europe’s most significant producers of human and veterinary medicines. Von Baumbach maintains minimal visibility in corporate affairs, with his uncle Hubertus von Baumbach steering the company’s strategic direction. Outside his business inheritance, the young heir pursues competitive skiing in Austria.

The Self-Made Path: Two Visionary Founders Under 30

Alexandr Wang (Age 28) — Artificial Intelligence Pioneer

Proving that the youngest billionaire can also be self-made, Alexandr Wang co-founded Scale AI—a company revolutionizing AI training through advanced data labeling solutions. After departing MIT during his freshman year, Wang established the venture in 2016 alongside Lucy Guo. The platform now serves tech giants including Meta, Microsoft, and General Motors, recently raising investment at a $13.8 billion valuation. Wang’s 14% ownership stake amounts to $2 billion, establishing him as the globe’s youngest self-made billionaire and a driving force in artificial intelligence development.

Ed Craven (Age 29) — Digital Entertainment Disruption

Australian entrepreneur Ed Craven rounds out this group of exceptionally young billionaires as co-founder of Stake.com, a cryptocurrency-integrated online gaming platform. Partnering with Bijan Tehrani, Craven cultivated the platform into a worldwide phenomenon generating $4.7 billion in annual revenue. Despite facing regulatory headwinds in certain jurisdictions, the gaming platform achieved mainstream recognition through influencer partnerships and content creators. Its market presence extends to approximately 4% of global Bitcoin transaction volume—a testament to its influence in the digital economy. Craven’s $2.8 billion net worth reflects both entrepreneurial foresight and strategic positioning within emerging digital markets.

The Diversified Wealth Landscape

These five individuals—representing the youngest billionaire cohort globally—illuminate several critical patterns. Three accumulated their fortunes through inherited family enterprises spanning manufacturing, fashion, and pharmaceuticals. Two built their wealth from inception, leveraging technological advancement in artificial intelligence and digital commerce. Collectively, they demonstrate that extraordinary wealth accumulation among the youngest generation flows through both traditional family-based enterprises and innovative digital-first ventures. Whether inheriting legacy corporations or constructing new business models, these billionaires exemplify how the youngest billionaire achievers are reshaping global wealth distribution across generational and sectoral lines.