9 Successful Investors Who Own Gold: Insights from Billionaires and Financial Titans

Gold has long been seen as a safe-haven investment, particularly during periods of economic uncertainty, inflation, or currency devaluation. It's no surprise that some of the world's most successful investors and billionaires have invested in gold to protect their wealth. In this post, we will take a closer look at well-known figures in finance who have put their money into gold, discuss their career successes, and explore why they see gold as a valuable asset.

1. Ray Dalio

• Net Worth: $16 billion
• Founder of Bridgewater Associates, one of the largest hedge funds globally, Dalio is a household name in finance. Known for his “All Weather” investment strategy, Dalio emphasizes diversification across assets, including gold, as a hedge against inflation and currency risk.
• Why Gold?: Dalio has frequently advocated for gold, especially as an asset to protect against inflationary pressures and monetary instability. He has said, “If you don't own gold, you know neither history nor economics.”

2. Stanley Druckenmiller

• Net Worth: $6.4 billion
• Druckenmiller, the legendary hedge fund manager who founded Duquesne Capital, has generated consistently high returns throughout his career. Famously, Druckenmiller worked alongside George Soros and is credited with helping “break the Bank of England” in 1992.
• Why Gold?: Druckenmiller has repeatedly spoken about his gold investments, citing concerns over central bank policies and potential inflation. He views gold as a hedge against irresponsible monetary policy.

3. John Paulson

• Net Worth: $3 billion
• Best known for his massive profits betting against the U.S. housing market during the 2008 financial crisis, Paulson is a hedge fund legend. He founded Paulson & Co. and became a gold bull in recent years, viewing it as a hedge against inflation and financial instability.
• Why Gold?: Paulson has been outspoken about his belief in gold, launching a gold-focused hedge fund. He holds a significant portion of his wealth in physical gold.

4. Jeffrey Gundlach

• Net Worth: $2 billion
• Nicknamed the “Bond King,” Gundlach is the CEO of DoubleLine Capital and one of the most respected fixed-income investors in the world. He has frequently advocated for holding gold as part of a diversified portfolio.
• Why Gold?: Gundlach believes that gold acts as an important hedge against the risks of fiat currency devaluation and rising inflation.

5. Sam Zell

• Net Worth: $5.5 billion
• A real estate mogul and founder of Equity Group Investments, Zell has long been known for his astute market timing and investments in distressed assets. In 2019, Zell revealed his first foray into gold.
• Why Gold?: Zell expressed concerns about global economic instability and the excessive printing of money, which pushed him to invest in gold for the first time in his long career.

6. Peter Thiel

• Net Worth: $8.2 billion
• Co-founder of PayPal and Palantir, and an early investor in Facebook, Thiel is one of the most successful venture capitalists in the tech world. Known for his contrarian views and libertarian ideals, Thiel has often advocated for hard assets like gold in times of economic uncertainty.
• Why Gold?: In 2021, it was revealed that Palantir, Thiel's data analytics company, purchased $50 million worth of physical gold bars. The company stated that this purchase was made as a hedge against future “black swan events” and financial instability, signaling Thiel’s belief in gold’s enduring value during uncertain times.

7. David Einhorn

• Net Worth: $1.2 billion
• Founder of Greenlight Capital, Einhorn has gained fame through his insightful short positions and bold market predictions. He's been vocal about the dangers of inflation and has held gold in his portfolio as a hedge.
• Why Gold?: Einhorn views gold as a safeguard against reckless monetary policies and weakening fiat currencies.

8. Jim Rogers

• Net Worth: $300 million
• A co-founder of the Quantum Fund with George Soros, Rogers has been a commodities and macroeconomic investor for decades. He's a long-time advocate for investing in hard assets, including gold.
• Why Gold?: Rogers has argued that gold serves as protection against long-term currency debasement and governmental financial mismanagement.

9. Mark Mobius

• Net Worth: $250 million
• A pioneer in emerging market investing, Mobius is the founder of Mobius Capital Partners and a highly respected voice in global investing. He's long advocated for holding gold, particularly as a hedge in uncertain markets.
• Why Gold?: Mobius advises investors to keep at least 10% of their portfolios in gold to safeguard against currency devaluation and geopolitical risks.

Why Do Billionaires Invest in Gold?

In summary, these billionaires and legendary investors see gold as an essential part of their portfolios for several key reasons:

• Hedge Against Inflation: As central banks print more money and inflationary pressures rise, gold historically has retained or even increased in value.
• Currency Depreciation: Gold is often viewed as a counterweight to the weakening of fiat currencies, particularly the U.S. dollar.
• Economic Uncertainty: During times of geopolitical instability, recessions, or market volatility, gold is widely regarded as a safe-haven asset that can protect wealth.

Gold plays an important role in wealth preservation in the portfolios of the ultra-wealthy. 

If you're worried about what's ahead, call Lear Capital at 1-800-576-9355 and get the facts about owning gold.