Photo Credit PhilipRomanoPhoto
Michael Bloomberg is another one of those rare people who belong on a ‘most influential’ list every year. He doesn’t just sit at the intersection of global finance, data, and philanthropy, he’s often directing the traffic there. As founder of the hugely powerful Bloomberg L.P., he still influences the information infrastructure that powers markets worldwide. That gave him unheard of authority a while back, but these days his power is more defined by the scale and precision of his philanthropy.
Bloomberg was the most generous donor in America in 2024 (take that MacKenzie), giving $3.7 billion to causes ranging from public health to education and climate action. His giving isn’t scattershot—he uses data to target problems and measure progress.
For example, Bloomberg Philanthropies has used data to pinpoint underfunded or overlooked public-health issues, such as tobacco use, road safety, and polio eradication. Bloomberg chose them because global health data showed they cause massive preventable harm. The foundation then tracked outcomes (like reduced smoking rates or fewer traffic deaths) to evaluate whether its interventions were working.
He’s also a major diplomatic and policy player. At the 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum, his words convened leaders from 63 countries to tackle issues like energy security, public health, and global cooperation. Put simply: Bloomberg is the billionaire other billionaires want to be like.
