The global billionaire population rose 8.2% to a record 3,795 people in 2025, while collective wealth increased 12.8% to $15.1 trillion, nearly a quarter of the S&P 500’s total market capitalization, according to Altrata’s Billionaire Census 2026. Among 150 listed companies contributing most to billionaire wealth, those making meaningful AI investments achieved 23% faster market-capitalization growth than peers over 2024-25. The report also found that 29 superbillionaires, each worth more than $50 billion, controlled 27.2% of all billionaire wealth, up from 7.2% in 2017. More than 200 billionaires hold direct stakes in sports teams or franchises, while $6.6 trillion in billionaire wealth is expected to pass to almost 5,000 direct heirs over the next decade. Women are expected to account for 90% of spousal heirs, potentially influencing private wealth management, luxury spending and philanthropy.