The World’s Black billionaires in 2025
With a combined fortune exceeding $90 billion, Black billionaires are shaping industries from energy and tech to media and infrastructure.
Black Billionaires
OpenAI raises $40 billion, two months after Ogunlesi joins board
The funding is part of OpenAI’s broader push toward artificial general intelligence (AGI).
Palantir CEO Alex Karp gains $1.5 billion in two weeks as net worth rises
Palantir’s stock rebound boosts Alex Karp’s fortune to $9.2 billion, reinforcing his position as the third-richest Black person in the U.S.
BlackRock stock slide wipes $100 million off Adebayo Ogunlesi’s net worth
Adebayo Ogunlesi's fortune fell to $2.2 billion as BlackRock shares declined from $1,075 to $951.73 since Jan. 31.
Vista, led by Black billionaire Robert F. Smith, explores $4 billion Granicus sale
While discussions are still in the early stages, Vista Equity Partners and Harvest Partners are aiming for a valuation of more than 20 times Granicus’ $175 million in EBITDA.
Karp’s fortune falls to $7.7 billion a month after joining Black billionaires worth over $10 billion
The decline is tied to the performance of his 2.63-percent stake in Palantir.
Adidas sells off Kanye West’s Yeezy stockpile, bringing in $1.52 billion in two years
Adidas partnered with Kanye West in 2015 to launch Yeezy, boosting his net worth to $2 billion in 2022.
Africa’s first Black billionaire Patrice Motsepe loses $100 million as ARM struggles
The decline follows a steep 16 percent drop in ARM’s share price over the past five days, with the stock sliding from R162 ($8.8) to R135 ($7.33).
25 companies behind Jay-Z’s $2.5 billion fortune
Beyond music and liquor, Jay-Z has built a strong portfolio in venture capital and private equity.
World’s first Black billionaire Robert L. Johnson’s REIT hits $1.3 billion in revenue
RLJ Lodging Trust’s revenue hit $1.37 billion in 2024, but net income dropped 11.2% due to rising costs, despite strategic acquisitions and capital allocation.
Tech billionaire Alex Karp loses $1.8 billion, still U.S. third-richest Black person
This is tied to a slide in the market value of his 2.63 percent stake in Palantir, which has fallen from $7 billion to $5.3 billion.
America’s first Black female billionaire offloads luxury property for $2.23 million
This sale marks a shift in her hospitality portfolio as she moves on from the property after two decades.
Billionaire golfer Tiger Woods defies Puma’s lawsuit, pushes forward with clothing brand
Tiger Woods takes major step to establish Sun Day Red despite ongoing legal pressure from the sportswear giant.
Jay-Z keeps $2.5 billion wealth after dismissed assault case but loses $20 million in income
Despite retaining his $2.5 billion fortune, the rapper and businessman said the lawsuit caused significant financial damage to his entertainment company, Roc Nation.
Magic Johnson’s fortune soars: Net worth jumps $200 million to hit $1.6 billion
This marks a staggering $400 million increase over the past year, driven by a diverse investment portfolio spanning sports, insurance, and consumer-facing businesses.
Junior Bridgeman joins the ranks of U.S. Black billionaires with $1.4 billion fortune
He stands alongside Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and LeBron James as one of the few NBA players to amass a billion-dollar fortune.
