Microsoft founder Bill Gates has regained the top spot as the
world’s
world’s
richest person, according to Forbes magazine’s annual ranking of
global billionaires.
Mr
Gates’ total net worth was estimated at $76bn (£45.5bn) this year, up from
Gates’ total net worth was estimated at $76bn (£45.5bn) this year, up from
$67bn
in 2013.
in 2013.
His
rise in wealth knocked Mexican telecoms tycoon Carlos Slim off the top spot
rise in wealth knocked Mexican telecoms tycoon Carlos Slim off the top spot
into
second place.
second place.
In
total, there were a record 1,645 billionaires, according to Forbes.
total, there were a record 1,645 billionaires, according to Forbes.
The
funds needed to make it into the top 20 ranking are now $31bn, up from
funds needed to make it into the top 20 ranking are now $31bn, up from
$23bn
last year, Forbes said.
last year, Forbes said.
Mr
Gates has been top of the list for 15 of the last 20 years, according to
Gates has been top of the list for 15 of the last 20 years, according to
Forbes.
Email
Technology
firms featured heavily in the list,
firms featured heavily in the list,
with
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg
becoming
the biggest gainer in net worth.
the biggest gainer in net worth.
His
fortune more than doubled to $28.5bn,
fortune more than doubled to $28.5bn,
boosted
by a sharp rise in the price of the
by a sharp rise in the price of the
social
network’s shares.
network’s shares.
The
social network’s chief operating officer,
social network’s chief operating officer,
Sheryl
Sandberg, also made the list for the
Sandberg, also made the list for the
first
time.
time.
WhatsApp
founders Jan Koum and Brian
founders Jan Koum and Brian
Acton
entered the list at number 202 and
entered the list at number 202 and
551
respectively, thanks to Facebook’s
respectively, thanks to Facebook’s
$19bn
purchase of the messaging app.
purchase of the messaging app.
US continues to dominate
The world’s
largest economy, the US, continues to have the most billionaires,
largest economy, the US, continues to have the most billionaires,
with
492.
492.
By
region, Europe boasted the most billionaires outside the US, with 468 in
region, Europe boasted the most billionaires outside the US, with 468 in
total,
closely followed by Asia, which had 444 billionaires.
closely followed by Asia, which had 444 billionaires.
The
list suggested that wealth was spreading, with four new countries featuring
list suggested that wealth was spreading, with four new countries featuring
for
the first time – Algeria, Lithuania, Tanzania and Uganda.
the first time – Algeria, Lithuania, Tanzania and Uganda.
Nigeria’s
Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, became the first African to be
Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, became the first African to be
listed
in the top 25, with a net worth of $25bn.
in the top 25, with a net worth of $25bn.
Landlord
Gerald Grosvenor and family were the richest British family to make
Gerald Grosvenor and family were the richest British family to make
the
list, with a net worth estimated at $13bn.
list, with a net worth estimated at $13bn.
Known
formally as the 6th Duke of Westminster, he owns 190 acres in Belgravia,
formally as the 6th Duke of Westminster, he owns 190 acres in Belgravia,
an
area adjacent to Buckingham Palace and one of London’s most expensive
area adjacent to Buckingham Palace and one of London’s most expensive
neighbourhoods.
source: http://www.bbc.com/news/business-26420414
![[Latest]Elon Musk Net Worth 2024: Salary, Net Worth in Rupees (INR), Income](https://www.vebiza.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/main-qimg-bd76cc302658d4d8e02d97bc0efe7867-lq-350x250.jpeg)
