Five Young Billionaires on the Global Stage: Self-Made vs. Legacy Paths to Extraordinary Wealth

The world’s youngest billionaire cohort presents a fascinating study in contrasts. While some among the youngest billionaire in the world inherited sprawling empires, others are engineering billion-dollar valuations through innovation and entrepreneurship. According to Forbes Middle East’s latest rankings, today’s youngest billionaires span gaming, manufacturing, AI, and pharmaceuticals — with drastically different origin stories.

The Inheritance Track: Born Into Industrial Dynasties

Lívia Voigt de Assis - Controlling a Brazilian Industrial Powerhouse

At just 20 years old, this Brazilian represents one of the youngest billionaire in the world through industrial heritage. Her family connection to WEG Industries — a multinational manufacturing juggernaut specializing in electric motors and automation systems — secures her $1.2 billion net worth. Co-founded by her grandfather Werner Ricardo Voigt and publicly traded on Brazil’s stock exchange, the company remains one of the nation’s most valuable industrial assets. Though Voigt de Assis maintains no operational involvement, her 3.1% stake alongside her sister ensures substantial passive wealth accumulation through family trust structures.

Clemente Del Vecchio - Eyewear Dynasty at Age 20

Another member of the youngest billionaire in the world club, the Italian heir acquired his $6.6 billion fortune following his father’s 2022 passing. Leonardo Del Vecchio’s Luxottica empire — the lens behind Ray-Ban, Oakley and other iconic brands — transferred control through Delfin, the family holding company managing stakes in EssilorLuxottica alongside insurance and banking investments. Del Vecchio holds no management responsibilities, benefiting instead from meticulously structured family wealth mechanisms.

Johannes von Baumbach - Pharmaceutical Legacy at 19

Germany’s youngest billionaire in the world inherits a $5.4 billion position within Boehringer Ingelheim, a family-controlled pharmaceutical giant. The company’s reputation in human and veterinary medicine spans generations, though von Baumbach maintains minimal public visibility. His uncle Hubertus continues steering operations while the 19-year-old pursues competitive skiing in Austria — a luxury afforded by generational wealth accumulation.

The Self-Made Ascent: Building Empires From Scratch

Alexandr Wang - AI Innovation at 28

Proving that the youngest billionaire in the world doesn’t require inheritance, Alexandr Wang co-founded Scale AI after dropping out of MIT. The 2016 startup specializes in data annotation infrastructure for artificial intelligence model training and autonomous vehicle development. With marquee clients including Meta, Microsoft, and General Motors, Scale recently commanded a $13.8 billion valuation after raising $1 billion. Wang’s 14% ownership stake translates to a $2 billion personal fortune — making him the planet’s youngest self-created billionaire.

Ed Craven - Crypto Casino Revolution at 29

Australia’s Ed Craven represents another youngest billionaire in the world success story through Stake.com, the crypto-gambling platform he co-developed with Bijan Tehrani. The operation processed $4.7 billion in revenue last year despite regulatory headwinds across major markets. Through influencer partnerships and livestreaming strategies, Stake.com captures approximately 4% of global Bitcoin transaction volume. Craven’s $2.8 billion net worth exemplifies how digital market timing and unconventional thinking can rival traditional wealth accumulation.

Key Takeaways: Two Divergent Paths to Billionaire Status

The youngest billionaire in the world examples reveal a striking reality: generational wealth and entrepreneurial ambition both create nine-figure fortunes, though via entirely different mechanisms. Three heirs benefited from industrial, eyewear, and pharmaceutical dynasties; two self-starters leveraged artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency markets. Neither pathway proves superior — both demonstrate that youth is no barrier to joining the billionaire ranks in 2025.