When do you think the first trillonaires will begin to emerge (and what business will they be involved in)?

Answer 1

Trillonaires are exist all ready long time. We just don't know about them. For example, Rotshald's family. They are owners more then have all properties in Europe and in US. Castles, houses, factories and mills, banks and railroads....
Like I say, more then have properties of modern western society belongs to them. They don't use any more Rotschald's trade mark, use different trade marks but own a lot.

Answer 2

Currently Gates is worth about 50Billion, and that is only 1/20th the way to 1 trillion.

If the wealth of the richest person in the world increases on average by 5% per year we are talking 60-65 years from now. At 10% per year it is 30 years from now.

I suspect the richest person will get wealthier slightly faster than inflation so I am betting on the 5% growth rate and 65 years.

However if there is hyper inflation of 100% per year or so, the wealth of the top person will grow by about that much per year. If we slip into hyper inflation a trillionare could be a decade away, but I doubt that much inflation is likely.

As for the most profitable business of 65 years into the future it is hard to speculate. The most safe bet will always be finance, some of the richest people have always been in that field. Electronics/software may still be important, but oportunities certainly would exist for property investors and retail leaders.

If I was going to bet on a new field that could take off and win one or more people immense wealth in the next 50-60 years I might bet on energy, as the curent fossil fuel based system will be replaced and whoever does the best job of it will get very rich.

Public attitude changes and much higher top tax rates could postpone the date of trillionares considerably especially a wealth tax. I dont think that such a major change in tax laws is likely.