The 2026 Forbes 400 list features ten billionaires under the age of 40, with their fortunes ranging from $5.8 billion to $44.4 billion. Nine of them have built their wealth themselves, while one inherited his wealth. The list includes founders and executives linked to prominent AI companies such as Anthropic, OpenAI, Cognition, and Surge AI. These individuals' financial gains reflect the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence in the United States.
The youngest member of the Forbes 400 is Steven Hao, 30, who co-founded Cognition, an AI company focused on AI coding. His estimated net worth is $5.8 billion. Palmer Luckey, 33, is another young billionaire who founded Anduril, a technology company that develops defense systems, with an estimated fortune of $5.9 billion. These young billionaires are part of a new generation of technology billionaires whose fortunes have been built around AI.
Anthropic accounts for four members of the group, with an estimated combined fortune of $62 billion. Sam McCandlish, 36, and Jack Clark, 37, are two of the Anthropic co-founders on the list, each with an estimated net worth of $15.5 billion. Daniela Amodei, 39, and Tom Brown, 39, are the other two Anthropic billionaires, also with an estimated net worth of $15.5 billion each.
OpenAI and Surge AI are also represented on the list. Greg Brockman, 38, is the youngest OpenAI billionaire, with an estimated fortune of $25.5 billion. Edwin Chen, 38, founded Surge AI and has an estimated net worth of $18 billion. These young billionaires' wealth highlights how quickly ownership in AI companies can translate into personal wealth.
The list also features Vlad Tenev, 39, co-founder of Robinhood, with an estimated net worth of $7.1 billion. He is one of the youngest billionaires in the technology and financial services sector. Lukas Walton, 39, is the richest person among the 10 youngest members of the Forbes 400, with an estimated net worth of $44.4 billion, inherited through the Walmart family fortune.
Forbes' figures are based on net worth estimates as of September 4, 2026. A fortune of at least $4.4 billion was required to make the Forbes 400 this year. The list showcases the growing wealth generated by the AI sector in the United States. The youngest billionaires' ages range from 30 to 39, demonstrating that building significant wealth in a short period is possible in the tech industry.
The emergence of AI as a major wealth creator is a notable trend in the 2026 Forbes 400 list. Seven of the 10 youngest members made their fortunes from AI companies, reflecting the sector's rapid growth and financial impact. As AI continues to expand, it is likely to create even more billionaires in the coming years.
Key points
- The 10 youngest members of the Forbes 400 have a combined estimated fortune of over $200 billion.
- Seven of the 10 youngest billionaires made their fortunes from AI companies.
- Anthropic accounts for four members of the group, with a combined estimated fortune of $62 billion.
