Mark Zuckerberg has achieved the distinction of being the youngest individual in modern history to reach a wealth valuation exceeding $211 billion, positioning him as the second richest person globally.

According to Bloomberg’s billionaire index, Zuckerberg's net worth stands at $206 billion. The 40-year-old American entrepreneur has seen his wealth surpass the $200 billion mark for the first time this month, driven by strong demand for Meta's stock.

He now outpaces French billionaire Bernard Arnault, who has a net worth of $193 billion, and Jeff Bezos, whose wealth is estimated at $209 billion. The only individual with a greater fortune is Elon Musk, valued at $263 billion.

The majority of Zuckerberg's wealth is tied to his holdings in Meta Platforms. In 2024, Meta's stock has surged by over 72%. On Friday, it rose by 2.26%, closing at an all-time high of $595.94.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and the popular messaging service WhatsApp, has seen its stock increase by more than 68% since January, nearing the $600 mark. Market dynamics indicate a renewed confidence in the company and its prospects in artificial intelligence, leading to a market valuation of $1.5 trillion.

Meta has consistently reported quarterly profits, having tripled its earnings in 2023, surpassing analysts' expectations. Over the past year, the stock market has been more captivated by revenue growth than by profitability levels. In July, Meta reported a 22% increase in quarterly revenue, totaling $39 billion, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of over 20% sales growth—an exceptional feat for a mature company.

Generative AI is significantly boosting Meta's revenue and enriching its CEO, yet the company is increasingly dependent on two major advertisers, Temu and Shein. JMP Securities reports that these Chinese retailers, competing for market share in Western nations—especially the United States—are investing $800 million each quarter in advertisements on Facebook and Instagram. Currently, advertisers from China contribute to 10% of Meta's annual revenue.

However, many analysts believe that this level of advertising expenditure may not be sustainable in the long run. Despite Meta and Zuckerberg's resurgence, challenges remain on the horizon.

During the Meta Connect 2024 event on September 25, Zuckerberg announced that Meta AI is projected to become the most widely used assistant globally.

While discussing the European Union, he noted, “We’re nearing 500 million monthly active users, and we haven’t even launched in some of the larger countries yet.”

Zuckerberg is not alone in experiencing a significant increase in wealth this year. In 2024, the net worths of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang surged by $55.9 billion and $63.5 billion, respectively.