20 Youngest Self-Made Billionaires of the 21st Century

Who are the youngest billionaires in history, and how did they reach such epic wealth so early in life? During the 21st century, social media influencers, tech prodigies, crypto visionaries, and e-commerce disruptors have all set new records for early success billionaires. It’s fascinating to see which industries have produced the youngest self-made billionaires and why they managed to earn a ten-digit net worth while still in their 20s—sometimes even younger. Many of these individuals spotted market gaps, built strong personal brands, and used funding from venture capitalists to skyrocket their ideas into multi-billion-dollar enterprises.

Below is a list of young billionaires in history who secured their fortunes in a flash. We’ll look at when they first crossed the billion-dollar milestone, discuss what propelled them to riches, and examine the lessons we can learn from their stories. Whether it’s Mark Zuckerberg connecting billions of people or Kylie Jenner leveraging social media to launch a cosmetics empire, each founder found a unique path. And while some fortunes continued climbing, others dropped drastically due to business setbacks. Let’s explore the 20 youngest billionaires by age in modern times.

The List of Young Billionaires Under 30 (and a Few Slightly Over)

1. Kylie Jenner (Became a Billionaire at 21)

Kylie Jenner leveraged her family’s reality TV fame and a massive social media following to launch Kylie Cosmetics in 2015. By 2019, her lip kits and beauty products propelled her to a Forbes-declared billionaire title. She even sold a majority stake to Coty Inc. and had a valuation of around $1.2 billion, briefly making her the youngest self-made billionaire under 30. Kylie’s net worth peaked near $1 billion, though later recalculations placed it closer to $600–$700 million. She’s still extremely wealthy for her age, and she continues to expand her product lines and online presence.

• Huge social media influence (over 100 million Instagram followers)
• Direct-to-consumer approach targeting a young, trend-focused audience
• Strategic partial exit through a major corporate partnership (Coty)

2. Mark Zuckerberg (Became a Billionaire at 23)

Zuckerberg co-founded Facebook (now Meta) from a Harvard dorm in 2004. Its rapid growth secured major funding rounds and, by 2008, Facebook’s valuation skyrocketed, making him a billionaire at just 23. At one point, he held the title of youngest self-made billionaire in history.His wealth currently hovers around $100 billion, placing him among the most successful young billionaires of all time. Facebook’s expansion into Instagram, WhatsApp, and the “metaverse” has multiplied his fortune over the years.

• Revolutionary vision for social networking
• Aggressive acquisitions (Instagram, WhatsApp) to sustain dominance
• Willingness to pivot technology and business strategy over time

3. Dustin Moskovitz (Became a Billionaire at 23)

A co-founder of Facebook and just eight days younger than Zuckerberg, Moskovitz claimed the “youngest self-made billionaire” crown by a mere margin of birthdays. He later co-founded Asana, a software platform for workplace collaboration.With stakes in Facebook and Asana, Moskovitz now holds an estimated net worth surpassing $12 billion. Facebook’s 2012 IPO was a huge wealth trigger, and Asana’s 2020 public listing added another layer of success.

• Early involvement in Facebook’s technical foundation
• Strategic exit from Facebook to start a new venture (Asana)
• Focus on practical enterprise software that appeals to global businesses

4. Evan Spiegel (Became a Billionaire at 25)

Spiegel co-founded Snap Inc. while at Stanford. Snapchat’s ephemeral messages and youthful appeal drove a multibillion-dollar valuation. He declined a $3 billion buyout from Facebook, which proved wise when Snap’s valuation soared.Currently around $3.1 billion. Although Snap’s share price has fluctuated, it remains a major player in social media, fueled by hundreds of millions of daily users.

• Pioneering short-lived content and fun features (filters, AR lenses)
• Strict adherence to a distinct product vision
• Strategic focus on a younger demographic

5. Bobby Murphy (Became a Billionaire at 26)

As Snap’s co-founder and CTO, Murphy developed much of Snapchat’s core functionality. Just five years after graduating, he joined the ranks of billionaires who became rich young, alongside Spiegel.Roughly $2.3 billion. He owned a similar stake in Snap to Spiegel at the time of IPO, and invests part of his wealth in real estate.

• Technical expertise in building Snapchat’s product
• Leveraging college networks (Stanford) for co-founders and early feedback
• Rapid user adoption by focusing on privacy features appealing to teens

6. John Collison (Became a Billionaire at 26)

An Irish entrepreneur, John Collison co-founded Stripe in 2010 with his brother Patrick. Stripe’s developer-friendly online payment solution exploded in popularity, and by 2016 John’s stake made him the world’s youngest self-made billionaire at that time. He’s currently worth around $5–$6 billion. Stripe’s valuation shot up to $95 billion at one point, though recent market adjustments place it closer to $50 billion. Even so, John’s fortune remains comfortably in the multibillion range.

• Identified a critical gap in online payment infrastructure
• Prioritized developer experience and trust in financial transactions
• Strategic, global expansion with supportive investors

7. Patrick Collison (Became a Billionaire at 28)

Patrick Collison, older brother of John, also co-founded Stripe. A MIT dropout, he guides Stripe’s high-level strategy, having secured early backing from PayPal veterans and other high-profile tech investors.Today, Patrick’s net worth sits around $7 billion. He was instrumental in Stripe’s climb into one of the highest-valued fintech startups, keeping the Collisons among the most successful young billionaires in history.

• Long-term perspective on simplifying online payments
• Strong leadership, forging partnerships with top names in tech finance
• Building a resilient company culture anchored in solving tough regulatory and technical challenges

8. Ritesh Agarwal (Became a Billionaire at 24)

Agarwal founded OYO Rooms in India at age 19, aggregating budget hotels under a unified brand. With backing from SoftBank, OYO’s valuation surged, briefly making Agarwal a billionaire by 24.At OYO’s peak, Agarwal’s net worth neared $1 billion, though the pandemic pummeled the hospitality sector. His wealth is reportedly around $225 million now, yet OYO still aims for an IPO down the road.

• Tapping into a massive unorganized hotel segment in India
• Rapid expansion fueled by heavyweight investors
• Resilience in pivoting business strategies amid market downturns

9. Austin Russell (Became a Billionaire at 25)

A self-taught optics whiz, Russell founded Luminar to develop lidar sensors for self-driving cars. When Luminar went public via SPAC in late 2020, his stake made him a billionaire at 25. Currently around $1.6 billion. Luminar’s technology is used by major automakers exploring autonomous vehicles, and Russell owns roughly a third of the company.

• Innovative lidar tech addressing a crucial need in the self-driving sector
• Early intellectual property developed in his teens
• Strong investor backing and deals with global car manufacturers

10. Alexandr Wang (Became a Billionaire at 25)

Wang dropped out of MIT to start Scale AI, a data labeling platform vital for machine learning. In 2021, a funding round lifted Scale’s valuation above $7 billion, making Wang the youngest billionaire in his mid-20s. Estimated around $2 billion as of 2025, tied to Scale AI’s stake. Demand for structured AI data continues to surge, supporting Wang’s climb.

• Recognizing data labeling as a critical AI bottleneck
• Securing high-profile customers like OpenAI and the U.S. military
• Leveraging Y Combinator networks and strong technical chops

11. Pedro Franceschi (Became a Billionaire at 25)

A Brazilian wunderkind, Franceschi co-founded Brex in 2017 to offer corporate credit cards tailored to startups. By 2022, Brex’s valuation hit $12.3 billion, catapulting Pedro to billionaire status. Around $1.5 billion. While the fintech sector can be volatile, Brex’s consistent growth in serving tech companies and pivoting to bigger clients has kept Franceschi’s fortune intact.

• Early entrepreneurial experience in payments
• Identified underserved startup financial needs
• Strong partnership with co-founder Henrique Dubugras and top-tier VC backing

12. Henrique Dubugras (Became a Billionaire at 26)

Dubugras teamed up with Franceschi to launch Brex, turning a frustration with outdated banking into a fast-scaling fintech. He left Stanford to build the company in Silicon Valley, raising huge capital in just a few years.Also around $1.5 billion. Brex’s revenues soared past $300 million by 2022, and the pair’s stakes confirmed them as billionaires who became rich young.

• Determination to disrupt a rigid sector (corporate cards and expense management)
• Rapid fundraising and acceptance into Y Combinator, which connected them to top investors
• Flexible approach in adjusting products for broader markets

13. Vitalik Buterin (Became a Billionaire at 27)

Buterin created Ethereum at 19, expanding blockchain technology beyond Bitcoin’s limits. In 2021, Ether’s price surge made him the youngest crypto billionaire at 27, with a publicly known wallet holding hundreds of thousands of ETH.At Ether’s peak, Buterin briefly held over $1 billion in crypto. Volatile markets and large donations have since lowered his wealth to an estimated $500–$600 million, but if Ethereum’s price rises again, he may easily rejoin the billionaire ranks.

• Vision for a programmable blockchain platform (smart contracts)
• Engaged open-source community, fueling DeFi and NFT ecosystems
• Constant technical upgrades (e.g., shift to Proof-of-Stake) to sustain relevance

14. Ryan Breslow (Became a Billionaire at 27)

Breslow co-founded Bolt to tackle the problem of complex online checkouts. With a big funding round in early 2022, Bolt’s valuation soared to $11 billion, briefly giving Breslow a net worth near $2 billion. Following controversies and slower growth, Bolt’s value receded. Breslow’s fortune is now estimated closer to $1 billion. He also founded a crypto platform (Eco) and invests in healthcare ventures.

• Addressing friction in e-commerce (cart abandonment)
• Aggressive fundraising during a boom in fintech valuations
• Bold marketing and leadership, although he faced backlash for outspoken public comments

15. Sam Bankman-Fried (Became a Billionaire at 29)

Known as SBF, he launched FTX in 2019, a crypto exchange that soared to a $32 billion valuation in under three years. By 2021, at 29, he was worth over $26 billion, making him one of the most successful young billionaires—temporarily. After FTX’s catastrophic collapse amid fraud allegations in late 2022, SBF’s wealth evaporated to $0. This dramatic downfall shows how fortunes in crypto can change overnight.

• Expert crypto trading strategy and effective marketing fueled initial rise
• High risk-taking and poor oversight led to a swift, total collapse
• Highlights the danger of rapid growth in an under-regulated industry

16. Gary Wang (Became a Billionaire at 28)

As FTX’s co-founder and former CTO, Gary Wang quietly owned ~16% of FTX. He built the platform’s technology, driving its quick rise in global crypto trading volume.Wang’s net worth peaked at $5.9 billion in 2022, vanishing completely when FTX imploded. He’s now cooperating with authorities, after pleading guilty to fraud charges.

• Skilled engineering powering a high-volume exchange
• Extreme speed of growth without proper internal controls
• Shows how a lack of robust governance can undo even the strongest technical foundations

17. Ben Francis (Became a Billionaire at 28)

A British entrepreneur, Francis founded the fitness apparel brand Gymshark at 19. He used social media marketing to forge a loyal community, eventually selling a 21% stake in 2020 at a $1.3 billion valuation, making him one of the youngest billionaires in UK history. His net worth stands around $1.2–$1.3 billion. Gymshark’s continued expansion into the U.S. market and brand partnerships keeps his valuation strong.

• Savvy influencer marketing targeting fitness enthusiasts
• Direct-to-consumer e-commerce strategy with community-building at its core
• Willingness to accept outside investment while maintaining majority control

18. Andy Fang (Became a Billionaire at 28)

Fang co-founded DoorDash at Stanford, focusing on suburban markets that other food delivery apps largely ignored. DoorDash’s December 2020 IPO sent its stock soaring, turning Fang into a billionaire in his late 20s. Estimated near $1.1–$1.2 billion. DoorDash continues to lead U.S. food delivery with around 60% market share, keeping Fang’s wealth solid even amid market shifts.

• Targeting a major pain point: convenient meal delivery in underserved areas
• Operational excellence in logistics and strong engineering
• Relentless expansion beyond restaurants into groceries and retail

19. Stanley Tang (Became a Billionaire at 28)

Another DoorDash co-founder, Tang oversaw product development and user experience. Like Fang, he was about 28 when the IPO turned his stake into a ten-digit fortune. Hovering around $1.2 billion. DoorDash’s revenue surpasses $6 billion annually, and Tang invests in future-oriented features like robotics and automated deliveries.

• Building user-friendly apps for both merchants and customers
• Hustle in early days (personally signing up restaurants)
• Ongoing innovation in expanding delivery services beyond prepared meals

20. Whitney Wolfe Herd (Became a Billionaire at 31)

Wolfe Herd created Bumble in 2014 after parting ways with Tinder, introducing a women-focused dating app that lets women make the first move. The 2021 IPO, when Wolfe Herd was 31, was a milestone—she became the youngest female founder to take a U.S. company public and briefly held a billionaire valuation. Her net worth reached $1.3 billion post-IPO, though Bumble’s stock declines placed her at around $500 million more recently. She’s still recognized among the most influential young female entrepreneurs, with Bumble branching into friendships and networking.

• Differentiating in a crowded dating market by empowering women
• Strategic marketing that appealed to a modern audience
• Backing from established players (Badoo) and a strong brand identity

How Did the Youngest Billionaires Achieve Their Wealth?

A few patterns emerge when comparing these top young billionaires of all time:

• Tech Dominance: Many come from software, social media, AI, or fintech. Their ideas solved widespread problems—from online payments to ephemeral messaging—at scale.
• Social Media & Branding: Kylie Jenner and Ben Francis became billionaires who leveraged influencer marketing, showing that building a community or personal brand is just as powerful as writing brilliant code.
• Global Reach: Stripe, Facebook, and DoorDash all expanded internationally, tapping new markets and fueling major growth.
• Strong Backing & Timing: Venture capital, angel investors, and incubators like Y Combinator played a big role in launching many of these companies to billion-dollar valuations quickly. Timing also mattered—a raging bull market in tech or crypto can boost a founder to billionaire status faster than anyone might expect.
• Possible Pitfalls: The cautionary tales of Sam Bankman-Fried and Gary Wang show how fortunes can vanish if ethical lapses or poor management overshadow initial success.

Why Are Some Young Entrepreneurs Able to Become Billionaires So Quickly?

It often comes down to creating something that meets a massive, emerging demand—whether that’s frictionless online payments, novel social platforms, or next-generation blockchain applications. Backing from major funds, plus the speed of modern tech adoption, can multiply valuations in a fraction of the time it took past generations. Meanwhile, personal branding on platforms like Instagram has paved the way for direct-to-consumer empires. Still, as we’ve seen with OYO and FTX, high valuations aren’t always stable if market realities shift or internal governance fails.

Wrapping It All Together

These 20 young billionaire success stories highlight how quickly fortunes can be made—and in some cases, lost—during the 21st century. Whether they capitalized on social media, harnessed AI data labeling, or built the next big fintech, each founder combined a clear vision with bold action. A handful remain among the most successful young billionaires ever, while others slipped below that benchmark due to market corrections or corporate turmoil.

From a practical standpoint, these record-breaking young billionaires remind us that timing, technical breakthroughs, and a strong network can make an incredible difference. While not everyone can replicate Mark Zuckerberg’s path or Vitalik Buterin’s crypto revolution, their journeys underscore the importance of spotting trends early, scaling fast, and maintaining authenticity in brand-building. And for those aiming to achieve big things at a young age, the stories of Kylie Jenner, the Collison brothers, and the DoorDash team might be extra inspiration—showing that dedication, a well-chosen niche, and sometimes a bit of luck can open the door to remarkable opportunities.

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