It was the kind of financial bloodbath Wall Street won’t forget anytime soon.
Even the world’s biggest names — Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg — weren’t safe when the US market went into a downward spiral. Tech stocks crumbled. Fortunes evaporated overnight. Investors across the globe watched in disbelief.
Yet, in the heart of this storm, one man didn’t just survive… he thrived.
While others counted their losses, this legendary investor quietly added billions to his wealth — proving once again why he’s in a league of his own.
But before we reveal his name, let’s take a look at the billionaires who weren’t so lucky.
And by the way, if you’re wondering how retail investors can avoid the big sharks and start their investment journey smartly, there’s never been a better time to explore a zero brokerage trading app. Why pay heavy fees when the market is already tough enough?
The Billionaire Bloodbath: Who Lost How Much?
Elon Musk: $130 Billion Vanished
The world’s richest man was hit the hardest. Tesla’s troubles in the electric vehicle space combined with market fear shaved off a jaw-dropping $130 billion from Musk’s fortune. Yet, he still sits on top with $302 billion — for now.
Jeff Bezos: Down $45.2 Billion
Amazon’s slowdown and a cautious consumer market dragged Bezos down to $193 billion. With e-commerce competition heating up, Bezos faced one of his toughest years yet.
Larry Ellison: $42.1 Billion Lost
The Oracle co-founder wasn’t spared either. Tech stocks stumbled, doubts around AI hurt sentiment, and Ellison’s net worth dropped to $150 billion.
Google’s Founders Felt the Heat Too
Both Sergey Brin (down $32.3 billion) and Larry Page (down $34.6 billion) saw their fortunes dented thanks to Alphabet’s regulatory battles and slowing ad revenues.
Mark Zuckerberg: $28.1 Billion Gone in a Flash
Meta’s big metaverse gamble and stock volatility saw Zuckerberg’s wealth dip to $179 billion.
Others Who Faced the Music
- Steve Ballmer (former Microsoft CEO): Lost $19.5 billion
- Bernard Arnault (LVMH Head): Down $18.6 billion
- Bill Gates: A relatively small loss of $3.38 billion
But One Man Beat Them All…
Amid this chaos — one name emerged as the ultimate winner.
While Silicon Valley titans watched their net worths shrink, Warren Buffett — the Oracle of Omaha — quietly added a staggering $12.7 billion to his fortune.
Yes, you read that right.
Buffett didn’t rely on flashy tech bets or experimental ventures. His good old-fashioned value investing strategy paid off — once again.
As the stock market punished risk-takers, Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway portfolio stood rock-solid. Defensive stocks, smart acquisitions, and decades of patience allowed him to walk away richer — proving why he remains an icon for investors around the world.
What Can We Learn From This?
The 2025 market shake-up was a brutal reminder that not even billionaires are safe when the tide turns. But it also showed us something else — good investing isn’t always about chasing trends or betting big on technology.
It’s about discipline. Patience. And knowing when to play safe.
For retail investors today, with the rise of innovative tools like a zero brokerage trading platform, the barriers to smart investing are lower than ever. The market may be wild, but with the right tools and mindset, you don’t need billions to win.
Just a little Buffett-like wisdom might do.