Mark Zuckerberg’s net worth has skyrocketed to $26.2 billion, surpassing Jeff Bezos and becoming the second richest person in the world. This surge is primarily due to the meteoric rise of Meta stock, which has shot up 23% since mid-2024. The key driver behind this surge is Meta’s strategic focus on artificial intelligence (AI), with Zuckerberg holding a significant 133% stake in the company.

Zuckerberg’s journey to the top has not been without its challenges. Just two years ago, his net worth plummeted to $37 billion, the lowest it had been since 2015. This dip was largely attributed to Meta’s failed pivot to the metaverse, which failed to resonate with investors. However, instead of doubling down on the metaverse, Zuckerberg made a strategic shift and invested heavily in AI. This decision has proven to be a game-changer, with Meta rolling out cutting-edge AI tools that have captured the attention of investors and sent the company’s stock soaring.

Meta’s AI focus has positioned it as a key player in the next wave of tech, reigniting investor excitement and driving the stock price up by 68% this year alone. As a result, Meta’s market cap has reached a staggering $15 trillion, making it one of the world’s biggest companies. This remarkable growth has not only propelled Zuckerberg to the second spot on the world’s richest list but has also narrowed the gap between him and Elon Musk, who currently sits at the top with a net worth of $263 billion.

If Meta’s market cap continues to grow and its stock price reaches $750 a share, Zuckerberg could potentially surpass Musk and claim the title of the world’s richest person. This is a remarkable turnaround for Zuckerberg, who just a few years ago was facing a significant financial setback. However, with Meta’s strong AI-driven future, it seems like his financial rocket is far from slowing down.