American economist Paul Samuelson once likened investing to “watching paint dry, or grass grow.” It’s a test of patience, where investors must stay disciplined amidst the allure of quick gains and financial hurdles.

A select few who’ve weathered this pressure to profitability now hold the title of the world’s wealthiest investors.

Let’s take a look at the top ten richest investors globally.

10. Ray Dalio

Net Worth: Estimated USD 15.4 billion

Ray Dalio, an American investor and hedge fund manager, primarily amassed his wealth through Bridgewater Associates. Established in 1975, Bridgewater, of which Dalio is the co-chief investment officer, serves prominent clients including foreign governments, central banks, and pension funds. With assets under management totaling USD 125 billion, Bridgewater ranks among the largest and best-performing hedge funds globally.

9. Michael Platt

Net Worth: Estimated USD 18 billion

Michael Platt, a hedge fund manager, co-founded BlueCrest Capital Management in 2000, one of Europe’s largest hedge funds. His investing journey began with stocks after graduating from the London School of Economics in 1991 and subsequently joining JP Morgan.

8. Steve Cohen

Net Worth: Estimated USD 19.8 billion

Steve Cohen founded SAC Capital Advisors in 1992, a group of hedge funds, after starting as a junior trader in 1978. Despite SAC Capital Advisors’ closure in 2013 following insider trading charges, Cohen went on to establish Point72 Asset Management.

7. David Tepper

Net Worth: Estimated USD 20.6 billion

David Tepper’s hedge fund, Appaloosa Management, founded in 1993, specializes in distressed debt, a riskier market with substantial returns. His investing expertise extends to fixed-income and public equity.

6. Jeff Yass

Net Worth: Estimated USD 20.6 billion

Jeff Yass co-founded Susquehanna International Group in 1987, where he invested across various markets including options, stocks, forex trading, and commodities. Notably, Yass invested in ByteDance in 2012, the parent company of TikTok.

5. Masayoshi Son

Net Worth: Estimated USD 31.2 billion

Masayoshi Son, founder of SoftBank, made a strategic investment of USD 20 million in Alibaba in 2000, yielding substantial returns when Alibaba went public in 2014. SoftBank invests across a wide spectrum of industries including software, robotics, and e-commerce.

4. Jim Simmons

Net Worth: Estimated USD 31.4 billion

Jim Simmons, a mathematician with a doctorate, co-developed Renaissance Technologies in 1978, a quantitative hedge fund renowned for its mathematical and statistical investment methods.

3. Ken Griffin

Net Worth: Estimated USD 36.4 billion

Ken Griffin, founder of Citadel LLC, established his trading career in 1987 before founding Citadel in 1990. Citadel is one of the largest market makers in the US.

2. Stephen Schwarzman

Net Worth: Estimated USD 38.2 billion

Stephen Schwarzman’s success stems from private equity ventures with Blackstone Inc., a company active in various industries including hedge funds and real estate.

1. Warren Buffett

Net Worth: Estimated USD 38.2 billion

Warren Buffett, known as the ‘Oracle of Omaha,’ founded Berkshire Hathaway in the early 1960s. Renowned for his value investing principles, Buffett has gained holdings in numerous blue-chip corporations.

In conclusion, investing is a long-term endeavor requiring patience and strategic planning. Many of the world’s wealthiest investors have achieved success through hedge funds, emphasizing the importance of sustainable investment strategies.