When it comes to wealth, the richest real estate investors in the world are those from Asia-Pacific. These individuals are making a lot of money investing in commercial and residential properties. While Asia-Pacific is home to many of the top investors in real estate, there are also Westerners who have built empires in the region. While selling residential properties is an easy career path, breaking into commercial real estate requires specialized training and education. Many of the world's wealthiest real estate investors and developers have earned master's degrees or other advanced degrees in the field. These degrees can help you achieve real-world success faster and earn a lot more money. Another investor who is worth millions of dollars is Sam Zell. He has a company that deals in industrial properties. He took over the company that his father started in the 1940s, and is now based in Los Angeles. His business is considered the ancestor of the modern real estate investment trust. In addition, he has an impressive number of properties that are used for industrial purposes.