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These are the 8 mega-billionaires who have gotten the biggest boost to their net worth this year as the world has grappled with coronavirus

The coronavirus pandemic has roiled global markets, which have whiplashed over the last two months.

Jeff Bezos
  • While the Nasdaq has recovered from the March market meltdown, the S&P 500 and Dow Jones industrial average are still in negative territory year to date.
  • Still, these eight mega-billionaires have seen their net worth increase amid the market mayhem.
  • Read more on Business Insider.

The coronavirus pandemic has whiplashed global markets this year, sending stocks on a rollercoaster ride as the world rushed to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The market meltdown that bottomed on March 23 erased trillions from US stocks, swiftly ending the longest-ever bull market and dashing nearly all gains made since President Trump took office. In addition to the market rout, extreme volatility whipped through indexes in March, setting off a number of circuit breakers sometimes more than once a day.

Since the recent lows, however, US stocks have rebounded, even amid devastating economic data showing the fallout from coronavirus-induced lockdowns.

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The S&P 500 has gained roughly 36% from March 23 through Wednesday's close, and is now only about 12% from its all-time high hit on February 19. The Dow Jones industrial average is up more than 37% from its March low, and is 15% below its February high.

The rebound rally has been led by technology stocks, which many investors see as poised to outperform both amid the pandemic and through a recession. The tech-heavy Nasdaq in early May erased all year-to-date losses as strong tech earnings and investor confidence fueled a rally. In addition, much of the indexes' gains are tied to Facebook , Apple , Amazon , Microsoft , and Alphabet, which make up 38% of the composite.

That's translated into billion-dollar gains for wealthy investors with sizeable amounts of money in the market. While the net worth of many billionaires has surged, it's important to note that accessing the money in the market would mean selling the stocks held.

Here are eight mega-billionaires that've seen their net worth increase so far this year, in order of lowest gain to highest.

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Carlo Allegri/AP

Known for: CEO and founder of Zoom video communications

Net worth gain year to date: +$5 billion

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Total net worth: $8.5 billion

Rank on Bloomberg's Billionaires Index: 188

Source: Bloomberg

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REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Known for: Paint. Goh founded Wuthelam Holdings, a paint and coatings maker. He also holds a large stake in Japan's Nippon Paint Holdings.

Net worth gain year to date: +$5.3 billion

Total net worth: $16.4 billion

Rank on Bloomberg's Billionaires Index: 68

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Source: Bloomberg

Mike Segar/Reuters

Known for: Former CEO of Microsoft, current owner of the Los Angeles Clippers

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Net worth gain year to date : +$7.7 billion

Total net worth : $65.9 billion

Rank on Bloomberg's Billionaires Index : 7

Source: Bloomberg

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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Known for: Facebook

Net worth gain year to date: + $9.7 billion

Total net worth: $88.1 billion

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Rank on Bloomberg's Billionaires Index: 3

Source: Bloomberg

Dia Dipasupil / Staff

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Known for: Amazon, ex-wife of Jeff Bezos

Net worth gain year to date: + $10.9 billion

Total net worth: $48.0 billion

Rank on Bloomberg's Billionaires Index: 18

Source: Bloomberg

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Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images

Known for: Tesla, SpaceX

Net worth gain year to date: +$12.8 billion

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Total net worth: $40.4 billion

Rank on Bloomberg's Billionaires Index: 22

Source: Bloomberg

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YouTube/Bloomberg

Known for: Founder and CEO of Pinduoduo, a Chinese e-commerce company

Net worth gain year to date: +$14 billion

Total net worth: $33.7 billion

Rank on Bloomberg's Billionaires Index: 26

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Source: Bloomberg

Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters

Known for: Amazon

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Net worth gain year to date: +$31.3 billion

Total net worth: $146.2 billion

Rank on Bloomberg's Billionaires Index: 1

Source: Bloomberg

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