World's Billionaires Index: Mark Zuckerberg Loses $19.9 Billion, Alphabet Founders Gain Mark Zuckerberg's net worth plummeted by $19.9 billion on Thursday as Meta Platforms' shares fell sharply, while Alphabet's stock surge boosted the net worth of its founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin. The dramatic shifts in wealth reflect broader market dynamics affecting tech giants and their founders. Meta's shares dropped 8.55% on Thursday, leading to a significant decline in Zuckerberg's personal fortune. This loss surpasses the lifetime earnings of Radhakishan Damani, an Indian billionaire whose net worth stands at $19 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Zuckerberg's net worth now sits at $217 billion, placing him fifth on the global list of ultra-wealthy individuals. In contrast, Alphabet's shares rose 9.97% on the same day, propelling Page and Brin's net worth higher. Page's wealth increased by $27.1 billion, reaching $325 billion, while Brin's net worth rose $25 billion to $301 billion. This marks a significant gain for both founders, with Page's net worth rising by $55.5 billion this year alone. Brin's wealth growth of $51.3 billion this year positions him third on the billionaires' list. The market movements also highlight shifts in corporate valuations. Alphabet's market cap surged to $4.62 trillion, edging closer to NVIDIA's valuation of $4.85 trillion. NVIDIA remains the world's most valuable company, while Alphabet ranks second. Microsoft's market cap fell to $3.029 trillion, dropping it to fourth place. Meta's market cap, at $1.533 trillion, places it ninth globally. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index also reveals other notable figures. Jeff Bezos, Amazon's founder, holds $283 billion in net worth, ranking fourth.#alphabet #larry_page #meta_platforms #mark_zuckerberg #sergey_brin
Google mogul Larry Page allowed into New Zealand despite closed border New Zealand authorities confirmed on Thursday that Google co-founder Larry Page was permitted to enter the country despite its closed border, reportedly to seek hospital treatment for one of his children. The decision sparked criticism from opposition politicians, who questioned the government’s transparency regarding the billionaire’s entry. Immigration New Zealand’s general manager of border and visa operations, Nicola Hogg, stated that Page “met relevant requirements” for entry. She emphasized that citizenship matters fall under the Department of Internal Affairs and declined to comment further due to privacy concerns. Hogg did not confirm whether Page underwent the mandatory two-week quarantine period for incoming travelers or provide details about the purpose of his visit. Page, who had been based on a remote Fijian island during the pandemic, faced scrutiny from the opposition ACT Party. ACT leader David Seymour accused the government of failing to explain why the billionaire was allowed in, especially amid ongoing challenges for ordinary citizens trying to cross the border. “The Government has questions to answer about why billionaire Google co-founder Larry Page was allowed into New Zealand when desperate Kiwis and separated families can’t get through the border,” Seymour said. The incident highlights tensions over border policies and public trust in government decisions during the pandemic. While officials maintained that Page’s entry was in line with established protocols, critics argued the situation underscored disparities in how restrictions were applied.#new_zealand #larry_page #nicola_hogg #act_party #david_seymour
