As Coronavirus Fears Derail Market Comeback, 10 Billionaires, Including Bezos And China’s New Richest Person, Gained $23 Billion In One Week

As Coronavirus Fears Derail Market Comeback, 10 Billionaires, Including Bezos And China’s New Richest Person, Gained $23 Billion In One Week

THE CHANGING FORTUNES OF THE WORLD'S RICHEST

Though mounting coronavirus fears halted the rallying stock market this week, some of the world's wealthiest people still got much richer. In the week spanning Thursday, June 18 through Thursday, June 25“”as the S&P 500 remained virtually flat“”the fortunes of 10 billionaires soared by $23 billion, as some stocks continue to surge despite widespread economic uncertainty. 

The biggest gainer over the past week is no stranger to the title. The world's richest man, Jeff Bezos, is more than $50 billion richer than he was in February“”before coronavirus-fueled uncertainty tanked stocks globally. This week alone, Bezos' net worth is up $5.6 billion, ending Thursday at $164.5 billion. Shares of Amazon continued their months-long tear this week, rising by 4% and hitting another all-time high on Tuesday, after the firm announced a $2 billion venture capital fund, dubbed the Climate Pledge Fund, to invest in companies that are helping to reduce carbon emissions. Bezos' ex-wife MacKenzie has also been among the biggest gainers throughout the pandemic, thanks to her roughly 4% stake in Amazon. Her fortune, now $53.9 billion, jumped by $2 billion this week, making her the world's second-richest woman“”surpassing Alice Walton, the daughter of