What is happiness? Everyone has their own answer to this question. Some say that happiness is when all your loved ones are alive and healthy. Some say that it is when you do not regret lost opportunities because you took advantage of them. And what about money? You can often hear that happiness is not in money. Be that as it may, it is impossible to exist without them in our time. One famous American actor said a rather interesting phrase about this, which is now often quoted: “Money cannot buy happiness. But you can buy a yacht that will take you to it.” No matter what anyone says, there is indeed a grain of truth in this.
Each of us is interested in following the lives of successful people. We want to learn their biographies to understand how they managed to reach such heights. We wonder what kind of fortune they have and who is richer. Most likely, you have heard about Forbes rating. It is compiled by a well-known American business magazine Forbes. Hence the name – Forbes list.
This is not something that has appeared recently. Its history began in the middle of the twentieth century, when it began to be compiled on a regular basis. What can you say about this? People have always been interested in the success of others. Some with envy, and some with admiration. Today it has become a symbol of success, financial stability and significance in the global economy. Many dream of getting there. At the same time, there are those who would not want it at all. We suggest talking about this in more detail.
What is the Forbes list?
It has already been said above about it in a general sense. Let's understand, What is the essence of the Forbes list?. It is worth starting with the fact that such selections are made in many countries or even locally in cities. Each country has its own rich people. This also applies to individual settlements. At the same time, Forbes includes the richest people in the world, because it is the largest and not limited geographically. It publishes data on the rich, influential businessmen, innovators, etc. As a rule, everyone is most interested in getting acquainted with the list of billionaires in the world. At the same time, other ratings are also published there, for example, the most influential people, the richest women, successful young entrepreneurs, etc.

And what's the point of that, you ask? That's a good question. The thing is that there you can find not only information about these people, because that would be too boring. They also write about how they earned it, what ideas they support and how they influence society, and that's interesting to many.
How to get on the Forbes list?
Many people dream of this, but not all wealthy people manage to do it. Why is it honorable? First, this magazine has a serious authority. Forbes has a long history and a reputation in the financial world. Their research is based on detailed data analysis, which makes the catalog accurate and objective. If you get there, then everyone will talk about it. Some will say that it is vanity. Maybe so, but what is the point of being one of the richest people in the world and no one will even know your name?! Secondly, it is influence. Getting there is not only a recognition of wealth, but also confirmation of significant influence in the economy or society. It means that you should be respected not only for your wealth, but also for other qualities. Your opinion is really worth something. You should be listened to.

Getting into this catalog is not only a complex process, but also very dependent on many factors. As mentioned above, it is not just about having a large fortune. You have to meet certain criteria.
- Financial wealth. For billionaires, the value of assets is assessed: real estate, stocks, businesses, investments. A person's net worth must exceed a certain threshold, usually calculated in billions of dollars.
- InnovationRankings like “30 Under 30” feature people who create something new: startups, technologies, innovative services or products.
- Social impactForbes takes into account how a candidate's activities impact society: whether they change an industry, support charitable projects, or promote important values.
Please note that the magazine conducts its own analysis, and candidates do not submit their "applications". Do you want to get there? Then it is important to earn a huge capital or attract attention to yourself with some other things. It will also be useful to openly declare your wealth and successes, which will help to find all the necessary information about you and eventually include you in one or another list.
And why do some people, on the contrary, not want this? Everything is quite obvious here - not everyone has earned their capital honestly and legally. Of course, such people do not want their name to be mentioned anywhere again, because this may attract the attention of law enforcement officers.
Who makes the Forbes list?
It all depends on what kind of selection it is.

- Billionaires of the world. This is where the wealth of the richest people is assessed. The leaders of this rating are the founders of technology companies (Elon Musk, Steve Ballmer), investors (Warren Buffett), real estate or industrial tycoons.
- Women in businessForbes pays special attention to women who have achieved success in business, politics, or charity.
- Young innovatorsFor example, the already mentioned “30 Under 30” rating shows young entrepreneurs who have managed to establish themselves on a global level by the age of thirty.
- InfluencersFor example, the ranking of the "100 most influential women in the world" highlights achievements in politics, culture, or other areas.
- Artists and athletesMovie, music, or sports stars who successfully monetize their popularity could also make the list.
- Investors and financiersTheir wealth is based on assets, stock exchanges, and financial transactions.
How does Forbes estimate wealth?
They conduct extensive research that includes:
- Open source analysis (stock market data, real estate or company valuations).
- Interviews with experts and businessmen themselves.
- Verification of documents, public reports and financial statements.
Let's summarize
The Forbes ranking is not just about counting wealth, but also about showcasing the achievements, innovations and global impact of its participants. The list is not just about money - it is about the stories of people who are changing the world by achieving impressive results.