Top 10 Youngest Billionaires in the World
- Sanjana Singhania
- Aug 26
- 5 min read
Becoming a billionaire at a young age is an extraordinary achievement. While many young billionaires have inherited wealth from successful family businesses, a growing number of entrepreneurs are building billion-dollar fortunes through technology, artificial intelligence, software and innovative startups.
According to Forbes' 2026 World's Billionaires list, there are a record 35 billionaires under the age of 30. The youngest billionaire is just 20 years old, while several 22-year-old entrepreneurs have already built fortunes through the fast-growing AI industry.
In this article, we explore the Top 10 Youngest Billionaires in the World in 2026, their age, estimated net worth and primary source of wealth.
Top 10 Youngest Billionaires in the World 2026
The following list is based on Forbes' 2026 World's Billionaires data. Net worth estimates are based on Forbes' calculations as of March 1, 2026, and may change over time due to market movements and changes in company valuations.
1. Amelie Voigt Trejes
Age: 20Country: BrazilEstimated Net Worth: $1.1 BillionSource of Wealth: Industrial Machinery
Amelie Voigt Trejes is the youngest billionaire in the world in 2026. Her wealth comes from her ownership stake in WEG, a Brazilian industrial machinery company co-founded by her late grandfather. At just 20 years old, she became the youngest person on Forbes' billionaire ranking.
2. Johannes von Baumbach
Age: 20Country: GermanyEstimated Net Worth: $6.6 BillionSource of Wealth: Pharmaceuticals
Johannes von Baumbach is one of the heirs to the Boehringer Ingelheim pharmaceutical fortune. His family has long been associated with the German drugmaker, making him one of the wealthiest young billionaires in the world.
3. Clemente Del Vecchio
Age: 21Country: ItalyEstimated Net Worth: $6.8 BillionSource of Wealth: Eyeglasses
Clemente Del Vecchio inherited a major stake in the family holding company Delfin, which has investments connected to eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica. He is among the richest billionaires under the age of 30.
4. Lívia Voigt de Assis
Age: 21Country: BrazilEstimated Net Worth: $1.4 BillionSource of Wealth: Industrial Machinery
Lívia Voigt de Assis is another young billionaire connected to the WEG family fortune. She owns a stake in the Brazilian industrial company and is one of several members of her family to appear among the world's youngest billionaires.
5. Kim Jung-youn
Age: 22Country: South KoreaEstimated Net Worth: $1.7 BillionSource of Wealth: Online Gaming
Kim Jung-youn inherited her fortune through a stake in Nexon, a major online gaming company. Nexon is known globally for popular games and helped establish the free-to-play gaming model.
6. Surya Midha
Age: 22Country: United StatesEstimated Net Worth: $2.2 BillionSource of Wealth: AI Software
Surya Midha is the world's youngest self-made billionaire in 2026. He co-founded Mercor, an AI-focused recruiting startup, with Brendan Foody and Adarsh Hiremath. The success and high valuation of Mercor helped all three founders reach billionaire status at the age of 22.
7. Brendan Foody
Age: 22Country: United StatesEstimated Net Worth: $2.2 BillionSource of Wealth: AI Software
Brendan Foody is the co-founder and CEO of Mercor. He built his fortune through the company's rapid growth in the AI industry. His success highlights how artificial intelligence is creating new opportunities for young entrepreneurs to build high-value businesses.
8. Adarsh Hiremath
Age: 22Country: United StatesEstimated Net Worth: $2.2 BillionSource of Wealth: AI Software
Adarsh Hiremath is the third 22-year-old co-founder of Mercor to appear on the list. Together with Surya Midha and Brendan Foody, he helped create one of the youngest groups of self-made billionaires ever featured on Forbes' World's Billionaires list.
9. Kevin David Lehmann
Age: 23Country: GermanyEstimated Net Worth: $4.9 BillionSource of Wealth: Drugstores
Kevin David Lehmann inherited a 50% stake in dm-drogerie markt, one of Germany's leading drugstore chains. His ownership in the highly successful retail business has made him one of the wealthiest young billionaires in the world.
10. Pedro Voigt Trejes
Age: 23Country: BrazilEstimated Net Worth: $1.1 BillionSource of Wealth: Industrial Machinery
Pedro Voigt Trejes is a major shareholder in WEG, one of Latin America's leading manufacturers of electrical motors and industrial equipment. His family connection to the business has placed him among the world's youngest billionaires.
Youngest Billionaires at a Glance
Rank | Name | Age | Country | Estimated Net Worth | Source of Wealth |
1 | Amelie Voigt Trejes | 20 | Brazil | $1.1 Billion | Industrial Machinery |
2 | Johannes von Baumbach | 20 | Germany | $6.6 Billion | Pharmaceuticals |
3 | Clemente Del Vecchio | 21 | Italy | $6.8 Billion | Eyeglasses |
4 | Lívia Voigt de Assis | 21 | Brazil | $1.4 Billion | Industrial Machinery |
5 | Kim Jung-youn | 22 | South Korea | $1.7 Billion | Online Gaming |
6 | Surya Midha | 22 | United States | $2.2 Billion | AI Software |
7 | Brendan Foody | 22 | United States | $2.2 Billion | AI Software |
8 | Adarsh Hiremath | 22 | United States | $2.2 Billion | AI Software |
9 | Kevin David Lehmann | 23 | Germany | $4.9 Billion | Drugstores |
10 | Pedro Voigt Trejes | 23 | Brazil | $1.1 Billion | Industrial Machinery |
Figures are based on Forbes' 2026 list and represent estimates as of March 1, 2026.
What Can We Learn From These Young Billionaires?
The list of the world's youngest billionaires shows that there is no single path to extraordinary wealth. Some inherited stakes in large and successful family businesses, while others built innovative companies from scratch.
Technology Is Creating New Billionaires
Artificial intelligence and software are becoming major wealth creators. Surya Midha, Brendan Foody and Adarsh Hiremath are excellent examples of young entrepreneurs who built billion-dollar fortunes through an AI-focused startup. Forbes reported that 12 of the 35 billionaires under 30 in 2026 were self-made.
Family Businesses Continue to Create Generational Wealth
Many names on the list inherited ownership in established companies operating in pharmaceuticals, industrial machinery, eyewear, retail and gaming. These businesses have created significant wealth across multiple generations.
Innovation and Ownership Matter
Whether wealth is inherited or self-made, ownership is a common factor among billionaires. Building or holding a significant stake in a successful and scalable business can create enormous long-term wealth.
How Does This List Compare With the Top 10 Richest Persons in the World?
The Top 10 Richest Persons in the World are generally much older and have significantly larger fortunes because they have spent decades building, expanding and investing in global businesses.
However, the youngest billionaires represent the next generation of global wealth. While some inherited their fortunes, young self-made billionaires in AI, technology and software demonstrate how rapidly new industries can create massive business value.
Conclusion
The Top 10 Youngest Billionaires in the World in 2026 represent a fascinating mix of inherited wealth and entrepreneurial success. Amelie Voigt Trejes, at age 20, is currently the youngest billionaire, while Surya Midha is the youngest self-made billionaire.
The rise of AI and technology is also changing the billionaire landscape. As innovative startups continue to grow, more young entrepreneurs may join the global billionaire club in the coming years. At the same time, established family businesses continue to create and preserve wealth across generations.
These young billionaires show that global wealth can come from very different industries, including technology, pharmaceuticals, gaming, industrial manufacturing, retail and eyewear.
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