Warren Buffett defies market trend! World’s 6th richest person gains $12.7 billion in net worth even as other billionaires lose money in crash

Amidst the ongoing global market turmoil in 2025, one billionaire who stands out in the top 15 richest persons in the world is Warren Buffett. At a time when investors around the world are reeling from the stock market crash, one billionaire whose net worth has actually grown is Buffett.
According to the latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index data, of the top 15 richest people in the world, Warren Buffet is the only one to have seen an increase in his net worth. At number six on the list of world’s top 10 richest persons by Bloomberg, Buffett stands tall with a current net worth of $155 billion. His net worth has increased $12.7 billion year to date.
The return of Donald Trump to the US presidential office has resulted in Wall Street losing approximately $8 trillion in market value. The implementation of the century's largest tariff increase by Trump led to nearly $6 trillion being lost in merely two trading sessions.
The markets experienced a substantial decline of $329 billion on Friday, marking the most significant single-day reduction since the Covid-19 crisis. Last Thursday witnessed the world's 500 wealthiest individuals collectively losing $208 billion, registering as the fourth-most severe daily decline in the Bloomberg Billionaires Index's 13-year span, and the most substantial since the 2020 Covid downturn.
Also Read | Is the world staring at a recession? ‘There will be blood’, warn experts on Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs impact
Elon Musk's net worth decreased by $130 billion to $302 billion in the year-to-date period, whilst Jeff Bezos experienced a $45.2 billion reduction, leaving him with $193 billion. Meta's Mark Zuckerberg saw his wealth diminish by $28.1 billion to $179 billion, and LVMH chairman Bernard Arnault's fortune reduced by $18.6 billion to $158 billion.
Bill Gates also experienced a reduction in wealth, with a $3.38 billion decrease bringing his net worth to $155 billion, matching Buffett's position.
While many investors face uncertainty, Berkshire Hathaway, under Buffett's leadership, maintains a strategic long-term approach. The company has strategically reduced positions in American technology stocks, including Apple and Bank of America, whilst increasing investments in Japanese trading companies, according to an ET report.
Buffett strengthened Berkshire's position in Japan's primary trading houses earlier this year. These investments target Mitsui, Mitsubishi, Sumitomo, Itochu, and Marubeni, which are fundamental to Japan's industrial and commercial sectors.
Also Read | Donald Trump administration revises reciprocal tariffs for 14 countries including India - check full list
According to official documents, Berkshire's holdings stand at: Mitsui & Co. (9.82%), Mitsubishi Corp. (9.67%), Sumitomo Corp. (9.29%), Itochu Corp. (8.53%), and Marubeni Corp. (9.30%).
This strategic investment has contributed to Berkshire Hathaway's market capitalisation exceeding $1.14 trillion, surpassing Tesla and substantially increasing Buffett's personal wealth.
The implementation of Trump's strict tariff policies has disrupted international supply chains and dampened investor confidence.
JP Morgan, the global brokerage firm, has revised its U.S. GDP growth forecast for 2025 downward to -0.3% from the previous 1.3%. Michael Feroli, the firm's chief U.S. economist, anticipates a two-quarter recession starting in Q3, projecting a 1% decline in Q3 followed by a 0.5% reduction in Q4.