Five People Under 30 Who Joined the Billionaire Club—Through Inheritance and Innovation

When does someone become a billionaire? For most, it’s a decades-long journey. Yet five remarkable individuals have achieved this milestone before turning 30—some through family legacies and others through disruptive business ventures. According to recent wealth rankings, these young billionaires span industries from pharmaceuticals to artificial intelligence, offering a fascinating glimpse into modern wealth creation.

The Inherited Path: Three Family Heirs

The first route to the billionaire club often runs through family offices and corporate dynasties. Three of the world’s youngest billionaires exemplify this path.

Clemente Del Vecchio, now 20, inherited his fortune following his father Leonardo Del Vecchio’s passing in 2022. The Italian businessman controls a 12.5% stake in Delfin, the family holding company that commands major positions in EssilorLuxottica—the eyewear conglomerate behind iconic brands Ray-Ban and Oakley. His current net worth stands at $6.6 billion, making him among the wealthiest of his generation despite having no active operational role. His half-brothers Luca and Leonardo Maria also crossed into billionaire status through the same inheritance structure.

In Brazil, Lívia Voigt de Assis secured her billionaire status at just 20 years old through a 3.1% ownership stake in WEG Industries. Co-founded by her grandfather Werner Ricardo Voigt, this multinational powerhouse manufactures electric motors, automation systems and energy solutions. With a net worth of $1.2 billion, she and her sister (who holds an identical stake) represent the next generation of Brazil’s most prominent industrial family. Her wealth is anchored through family trusts and direct stock holdings, though she maintains no day-to-day involvement in operations.

Johannes von Baumbach, at 19, is the youngest heir to Germany’s Boehringer Ingelheim pharmaceutical dynasty. The family-controlled enterprise ranks among Europe’s largest drug manufacturers, with expertise spanning human and veterinary medicine. Von Baumbach’s estimated $5.4 billion net worth reflects his inherited stake in this century-old pharmaceutical legacy. His uncle Hubertus von Baumbach continues to lead the company, while Johannes pursues competitive skiing in Austria.

The Self-Made Route: Innovation and Timing

Two younger billionaires built their fortunes from scratch, without family capital as a foundation.

Alexandr Wang stands as the world’s youngest self-made billionaire at 28. As co-founder of Scale AI, Wang dropped out of MIT as a freshman to launch the company in 2016 alongside Lucy Guo. Scale AI specializes in data labeling infrastructure that powers artificial intelligence model training and autonomous vehicle development. The company has attracted major clients including Meta, Microsoft and General Motors. Following a recent $1 billion funding round that valued Scale at $13.8 billion, Wang’s 14% stake translates to a $2 billion personal net worth—a remarkable achievement in the competitive AI sector.

Ed Craven, age 29, co-founded Stake.com, an Australian-based online casino platform specializing in cryptocurrency gambling. Working alongside partner Bijan Tehrani, Craven built the platform into a global revenue generator, pulling in $4.7 billion in annual revenue. Despite facing regulatory obstacles in markets like the US and UK, Stake.com expanded through strategic partnerships with livestreamers and digital influencers. The platform now processes approximately 4% of global Bitcoin transactions, underscoring its massive scale in the crypto ecosystem. Craven’s $2.8 billion fortune demonstrates both entrepreneurial vision and well-timed market entry.

Key Takeaway: Two Paths to Young Wealth

These five youngest billionaires reveal a stark contrast: three acquired their wealth through family succession and equity inheritance, while two constructed nine-figure fortunes through innovation and business execution. Whether inheriting established industrial, pharmaceutical or fashion empires or building AI and fintech ventures, all five have secured their places among the world’s youngest billionaires before most peers reach senior management positions.