UK rich list 2025 shows sharp drop in billionaires

UK rich list 2025 shows sharp drop in billionaires
Reuters

The number of billionaires in the UK has dropped for the second year in a row, hitting the lowest level in over a decade, according to The Sunday Times Rich List 2025.

The Sunday Times reported on Friday that the UK now has 156 billionaires, down from 165 in 2024 - marking the steepest decline since the Rich List began in 1989.

The top spot was once again claimed by businessman Gopi Hinduja and family, whose wealth stands at £35 billion. They were followed by the Reuben brothers with £26.87 billion, and Leonard Blavatnik at £25.73 billion.

The paper attributes the decline to volatile stock markets and new tax policies introduced by the Labour government, including the scrapping of the "non-dom" tax exemption for wealthy foreigners. This may have influenced several high-profile billionaires to exit the UK.

Notable absentees from the 2025 list include French luxury tycoon François-Henri Pinault and his wife Salma Hayek, the Fayed family, and South African diamond magnate Nicky Oppenheimer.

Meanwhile, King Charles' fortune rose by £30 million to £640 million, placing him at 258th. Former prime minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty ranked 238th. U.S. TV host Ellen DeGeneres entered the list at 363rd place with a £363 million fortune, following her relocation to the scenic Cotswolds.

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