Very few number of people have excelled to become the richest media moguls in the world in today’s dynamic media scene, accumulating astounding fortunes via their endeavors. These business people, who range from telecom moguls to online retail behemoths, they have transformed entire sectors of the economy and influenced how we access information and entertainment. However, we’ll reveal the top 10 media moguls in the world with the most wealth. From Jack Ma, who has a net worth of $24.8 billion, to Michael Bloomberg, who has a net worth of $96.3 billion, each of these people has amassed enormous riches and made their impact on the world’s media landscape.
Top 10 Richest Media Moguls In The World
10. Blair Parry-Okeden
- Net Worth: $9.2 Billion
- Date of Birth: 1952
- Age: 71 (as of 2023)
- Source of Wealth: Cox Enterprises, Inheritance
- Residence: New South Wales, Australia
- Citizenship: United States and Australia
- Marital Status: Divorced
- Education: Diploma, High School; Bachelor of Arts/Science, University of Denver
Blair Parry-Okeden is an Australian-American heiress and billionaire who inherited a 25% stake in Cox Enterprises from her mother, Barbara Cox Anthony. Cox Enterprises is a major communications, automotive, and media company based in Atlanta. The company owns Cox Communications, a leading cable TV and internet service provider. Blair’s brother, Jim Kennedy, is the chairman emeritus of Cox Enterprises, and together, they have continued the family’s legacy in the media industry. While Blair maintains a low-profile lifestyle, she has been involved in philanthropic efforts, supporting causes such as education and healthcare.
9. Jim Kennedy
- Net Worth: $9.2 Billion
- Date of Birth: 1948
- Age: 73
- Source of Wealth: Cox Enterprises, Inheritance
- Residence: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Citizenship: United States
- Marital Status: Married
- Education: Bachelor of Arts, University of Denver
Jim Kennedy is an American businessman and the chairman emeritus of Cox Enterprises, a privately-held communications, automotive, and media company. He served as Cox’s CEO from 1988 to 2008, overseeing substantial revenue growth. Cox Enterprises was founded by Jim’s grandfather, James M. Cox, in 1898. The company has diverse holdings, including Cox Communications, a major cable TV and internet service provider. Under Jim’s leadership, Cox Communications expanded its operations and became one of the largest cable providers in the United States. Jim Kennedy has played an instrumental role in the growth and success of Cox Enterprises, contributing to the family’s wealth and influence in the media industry.
8. John Malone
- Net Worth: $9.2 Billion
- Date of Birth: March 7, 1941
- Age: 81
- Source of Wealth: Liberty Media, Self Made
- Residence: Elizabeth, Colorado, United States
- Citizenship: United States
- Marital Status: Married
- Education: Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, Yale University; Master of Science, Industrial Management, Johns Hopkins University; Ph.D. in Operations Research, Johns Hopkins University
John Malone, often referred to as the “Cable Cowboy,” is an American businessman and investor known for his expertise in media deals and complex corporate structures. He played a crucial role in building up cable TV firm TCI (Tele-Communications Inc.) and eventually sold it to AT&T for over $50 billion. Malone’s company, Liberty Media, owns various assets in the media and entertainment industry, including the Atlanta Braves baseball team and Formula 1. He has been involved in numerous high-profile deals and has a reputation for his strategic approach to media investments. Malone retired from the boards of Charter Communications and Lions Gate in 2018 but continues to be an influential figure in the media sector.
7. Donald Newhouse
- Net Worth: $11.7 Billion
- Date of Birth: 1929
- Age: 92
- Source of Wealth: Advance Publications, Inheritance
- Residence: New York, New York
- Citizenship: United States
- Marital Status: Married
- Education: Syracuse University
Donald Newhouse is an American media executive and billionaire who, along with his late brother Samuel “Si” Newhouse, inherited the publishing and broadcasting empire, Advance Publications. Donald oversaw the newspaper business, including the Staten Island Advance, while Si ran magazine publisher Conde Nast. Advance Publications also has stakes in Discovery Communications and Reddit. Over the years, Conde Nast, under Si’s leadership, has published several influential magazines, including Vogue, The New Yorker, and Vanity Fair. In recent years, Conde Nast has undergone changes, including selling some publications and implementing layoffs. The Newhouse family has played a significant role in the media industry, with their wealth stemming from their long-standing ownership of various media properties.
6. Rupert Murdoch
- Net Worth: $17.5 Billion
- Date of Birth: March 11, 1931
- Age: 91
- Source of Wealth: News Corp, Inheritance and Self Made
- Residence: New York, New York
- Citizenship: United States and Australia
- Marital Status: Married
- Education: Worcester College, University of Oxford
Rupert Murdoch is an Australian-born media mogul who has had a significant impact on the global media landscape. He is the founder and executive chairman of News Corp, a multinational media conglomerate. News Corp owns a wide range of media assets, including cable channel Fox News, The Times of London, The Wall Street Journal, and HarperCollins Publishers. Murdoch’s media empire has expanded over the years through strategic acquisitions and partnerships. In 2019, he sold several assets, including Fox’s movie studio and stake in Star India, to Disney for $71.3 billion. Murdoch is known for his conservative-leaning media outlets and has often been at the center of controversies related to media ownership and influence.
5. Jack Ma
- Net Worth: $24.8 Billion
- Date of Birth: September 10, 1964
- Age: 57
- Source of Wealth: Alibaba Group, Self Made
- Residence: Hangzhou, China
- Citizenship: China
- Marital Status: Married
- Education: Bachelor of Arts/Science, Hangzhou Normal University
Jack Ma is a Chinese entrepreneur and philanthropist, best known as the co-founder of Alibaba Group. Before starting Alibaba, Ma worked as an English teacher and later ventured into the e-commerce industry. Under his leadership, Alibaba grew rapidly, becoming one of the world’s largest e-commerce companies. Ma’s charismatic personality and entrepreneurial spirit played a crucial role in the company’s success. He stepped down as Alibaba’s executive chairman in 2019 but remains an influential figure in the business world. In addition to his business ventures, Ma is actively involved in philanthropy, focusing on education, environmental conservation, and rural development.
4. Ma Huateng
- Net Worth: $35.7 Billion
- Date of Birth: October 29, 1971
- Age: 50
- Source of Wealth: Tencent Holdings, Self Made
- Residence: Shenzhen, China
- Citizenship: China
- Marital Status: Married
- Education: Bachelor of Science, Computer Science, Shenzhen University
Ma Huateng, also known as Pony Ma, is a Chinese entrepreneur and the co-founder of Tencent Holdings, a multinational conglomerate. Tencent is one of the largest technology companies in the world, offering a wide range of services, including social media, online gaming, e-commerce, and digital payments. Ma Huateng played a pivotal role in the development of Tencent’s flagship products, such as WeChat, a popular messaging app with over a billion users. Under his leadership, Tencent has expanded its presence globally and has become one of the most valuable companies in the world. Ma Huateng is known for his low-key lifestyle and has made significant philanthropic contributions to education and environmental causes.
3. David Thomson & family
- Net Worth: $56.9 Billion
- Date of Birth: June 12, 1957
- Age: 66
- Source of Wealth: Thomson Reuters, Inheritance
- Residence: Toronto, Canada
- Citizenship: Canada
- Marital Status: Married
- Education: Bachelor of Arts, Cambridge University
David Thomson and his family are prominent Canadian media owners and investors. They control Thomson Reuters, a multinational media and information firm. David serves as the chairman of Thomson Reuters, which provides professional services, data, and analytics to various industries, including finance, law, and media. In 2018, Thomson Reuters announced the sale of a controlling stake in Refinitiv, a financial data provider, to Blackstone for $17 billion. Apart from Thomson Reuters, the family also holds a stake in Bell Canada, a leading telecommunications company in Canada. Additionally, they own the Toronto-based newspaper, the Globe and Mail. The Thomson family has a long-standing legacy in the media industry, with their wealth originating from the newspaper business founded by David’s grandfather, Roy Thomson.
2. Carlos Slim Helu
- Net Worth: $96 Billion
- Date of Birth: January 28, 1940
- Age: 83 (2023)
- Source of Wealth: América Móvil, Self Made
- Residence: Mexico City, Mexico
- Citizenship: Mexico
- Marital Status: Widowed
- Education: Bachelor of Arts/Science, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico
Carlos Slim Helu is a Mexican business magnate and philanthropist. He is the chairman and largest shareholder of América Móvil, the largest mobile telecommunications company in Latin America. Slim acquired a stake in Telmex, Mexico’s only phone company, in 1990, which later became part of América Móvil. Through strategic investments, he expanded his business empire to include holdings in various sectors, such as construction, consumer goods, mining, and real estate. Slim is also known for his extensive art collection, which is showcased in the Soumaya Museum in Mexico City. As a philanthropist, he has established several foundations and initiatives aimed at improving education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship in Mexico and other parts of the world.
1. Michael Bloomberg
- Net Worth: $96.3 billion
- Date of Birth: February 14, 1942
- Age 81
- Source of Wealth: Bloomberg LP, Self Made
- Residence: New York, New York
- Citizenship United States
- Marital Status: In a relationship
- Education: Master of Business Administration, Harvard Business School; Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
Michael Bloomberg is an American businessman, politician, and philanthropist. He co-founded Bloomberg LP, a global financial information and media company, in 1981. Bloomberg initially provided the seed funding for the company, which has since become a leading provider of financial data, news, and analytics. With estimated revenues exceeding $12 billion, Bloomberg LP offers a wide range of products and services, including the Bloomberg Terminal, a computer software system widely used by financial professionals. Apart from his business ventures, Bloomberg served as the mayor of New York City for three terms, from 2002 to 2013. He is known for his philanthropy, having donated over $12.7 billion to various causes, including gun control, climate change, and public health initiatives.
