Let’s bust a myth right here, okay? Jewish people aren’t “born” with a money gene. Culture and history play the lead roles. For centuries, Jews in Europe were often barred from owning land or joining guilds. So what did they do? They turned to trades that didn’t need real estate—money lending, commerce, and, later, professions like law and medicine. That forced specialization created a legacy of education-first families. When you’re forced to be portable, you invest in what fits in your head.
Then came the 20th century. The Holocaust wiped out a third of the world’s Jewish population. Survivors who rebuilt often did so with fierce determination, and many headed to the U.S., where education and entrepreneurship were golden tickets. That drive shows up in the Forbes list today. Names like Bernard Arnault (okay, he’s not Jewish—but LVMH’s history has Jewish roots in its founding families), Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Ellison (raised Jewish), and Michael Bloomberg are just the tip of the iceberg.
The Israel factor
You might wonder: “But what about Israeli billionaires?” Surprisingly, most Jewish billionaires are American or European. Israel itself has around 30 to 40 billionaires—impressive for a country of 9 million, but the majority are in tech and real estate. Think Eyal Ofer (shipping) or Mariam Nuselbeh (real estate). But here’s the ironic twist: many of these tycoons live in London or New York. Tax reasons, darling. Israel’s high cost of living and bureaucracy makes it tough to park your billions there full-time.
The Wealth Nation: Record 52 Israelis on Forbes' Global Billionaires
