As unprecedented wealth creation meets the largest generational transfer in history, UBS reveals how today’s billionaire families are redefining success through experience, purpose and legacy.
Global billionaire wealth reached a record $15.8 trillion (around €13.3 trillion) in 2025, yet the defining story is no longer accumulation alone. The latest UBS Billionaire Ambitions Report points to a decisive generational shift that is reshaping how wealth is lived, invested and passed on.
Nearly 200 self-made billionaires added $386.5 billion to global wealth last year, driven by business innovation across technology, industrials and financial services. At the same time, inheritance is accelerating rapidly. In 2025, 91 heirs received a combined $297.8 billion, reinforcing the rise of multi-generational fortunes that now oversee $4.7 trillion globally.
“The rise of a new generation of wealth creators and inheritors is reshaping the global landscape,” UBS observes, with families increasingly focused on empowering heirs to succeed independently rather than simply preserving capital. More than eight in 10 billionaires with children say they want the next generation to build skills and purpose beyond inherited wealth, while over half hope their resources will be used to make a positive impact on the world.
Lifestyle choices reflect this change. UBS Global Chief Economist Paul Donovan describes a sustained shift away from goods-led consumption towards experiences. “What we’ve seen since the pandemic is this acceleration of spending on having fun,” he says. “Spending on goods hasn’t gone down, but the ratio of goods to fun is tilting very much in favour of fun.” Travel, dining and live entertainment now dominate discretionary spending, shaped by the growing visibility of experiences in a social media age.
Art occupies a distinctive position within this evolution. “Yes, there’s a physical object,” Donovan notes, “but it’s also talking with the artist, going to the galleries, the social events and the art fairs. It’s the sense of community that really matters.” That experiential dimension has underpinned resilience in art and certain collectibles, even as traditional luxury goods growth has moderated.
Women are also playing an increasingly influential role. Average female billionaire wealth rose by 8.4% in 2025, outpacing men for the fourth consecutive year. UBS research suggests women tend to take a longer-term, research-led approach to investing, with greater interest in sustainability, philanthropy and impact.
Mobility remains a defining theme. More than a third of billionaires have relocated at least once, driven by quality of life, geopolitical considerations and tax efficiency. As UBS notes, destinations that combine lifestyle appeal with international visibility continue to resonate.
With an estimated $6.9 trillion set to change hands globally by 2040, billionaire ambition is being redefined. Legacy, experience and responsibility now sit alongside financial performance as the true measures of success.
