An old song by Arik Einstein, one of Israel's most beloved musicians, asks "What do you do when you wake up in the morning?" While his song playfully suggests doing the same things but slowly, there's undeniable intrigue in exploring the morning habits of the ultra-wealthy to discover if their breakfast choices or morning rituals hold the secret to their financial success – and whether we might benefit from adopting some of their practices.
Jeff Bezos: $237.9 billion
The 60-year-old Amazon founder embraces tranquility in his morning routine, eschewing alarm clocks and phones in favor of natural awakening, newspaper reading, and coffee time with his partner Lauren Sanchez. His breakfast choices raise eyebrows, particularly his signature "breakfast octopus" – a dish featuring cooked, seared, or fried octopus accompanied by poached eggs or various sauces like green garlic yogurt. Sundays see him embracing tradition with homemade pancakes. Post-breakfast, his routine includes a balanced workout: 30 minutes of cardio followed by 45 minutes of weight training. Recognizing his peak mental acuity at 10 AM, Bezos strategically schedules his most crucial meetings during this time.
Sam Altman: $1.1 billion
The 39-year-old OpenAI CEO champions minimalism in his morning routine, starting with a robust shot of espresso and bypassing breakfast entirely. An early riser by nature, Altman incorporates innovative wellness practices, including 15 minutes of full LED light exposure while processing emails to enhance alertness. He maintains productivity through strategic breaks and task switching when focus wanes, reserving mornings for deep work and afternoons for meetings.
Evan Spiegel: $3.2 billion
The 34-year-old Snapchat founder and CEO epitomizes early-bird efficiency, rising at 5 AM for his personal "Evan time" – a period dedicated to solitude, email management, and a double espresso shot. His morning continues with a holistic wellness routine: 45 minutes of meditation, followed by stretching and cardio exercises.
By 6:15 AM, his self-care routine includes a shower and an invigorating turmeric and mint face mask. He combines productivity with family time, reading the Wall Street Journal and Financial Times while sharing breakfast – typically oatmeal, scrambled eggs, and another espresso – with his family before officially starting his workday at 7 AM.
Elon Musk: $424.9 billion
The 53-year-old Tesla and SpaceX founder maintains a relatively conventional wake-up time of 7 AM, following what he terms a "sufficient night's sleep." His morning begins with a quick business update via phone, and while breakfast isn't a priority – often skipped entirely – when he does indulge, it's with a simple donut. Musk emphasizes the psychological importance of his morning shower, crediting it as a crucial element in preparing for daily challenges.
Mark Zuckerberg: $209 billion
The 40-year-old Meta founder adheres to a precise schedule, beginning at 8 AM with a candid acknowledgment of his less-than-ideal habit of immediately checking Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp. His fitness routine has evolved, transitioning from morning runs to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts training. Post-workout and shower, his approach to breakfast is refreshingly unpretentious – simply consuming whatever is readily available in his refrigerator.
