Another 200 people became billionaires in the past 12 months, bringing the planet's total to a record 1,426 billionaires, according to the latest tally by Forbes.
Forbes has been assembling its annual list of the world's wealthiest individuals since 1987; that year, the financial news magazine found 140 billionaires.
The men and women on the latest list had a net worth, on average, of $3.8 billion, an increase of $100 million from the previous year. All but 259 billionaires saw their net worth increase in the past year. Sixty people dropped off the list -- including Zynga (ZNGA) founder and CEO Mark Pincus and ex-Chesapeake Energy (CHK) chief Aubrey McClendon -- and another eight died during the year.
Collectively, the world's billionaires had a net worth of $5.4 trillion, a 17% increase from the previous year.
Carlos Slim Helú of Mexico tops the list for the fourth consecutive year. Slim is followed by Microsoft (MSFT) co-founder Bill Gates. (Microsoft publishes MSN Money.) Amancio Ortega, the man behind fashion chain Zara, is the world's third-wealthiest individual, with a net worth of $57 billion. That's $19.5 billion more than Ortega was worth in 2011, making the Spaniard the year's biggest gainer.
The fourth-wealthiest individual, legendary investor Warren Buffett slipped out of the top three for the first time since 2000.
L'Oreal (LRLCY) heiress Liliane Bettencourt moves back into the top 10 for the first time since 1999 and reclaims the title of world's richest woman.
Among the notable newcomers were founders of some of the world's hottest brands, including Dolce & Gabbana, Tory Burch and Chobani yogurt, as well as the first-ever billionaires from Angola, Guernsey, Nepal, Swaziland and Vietnam.
Forbes has been assembling its annual list of the world's wealthiest individuals since 1987; that year, the financial news magazine found 140 billionaires.
The men and women on the latest list had a net worth, on average, of $3.8 billion, an increase of $100 million from the previous year. All but 259 billionaires saw their net worth increase in the past year. Sixty people dropped off the list -- including Zynga (ZNGA) founder and CEO Mark Pincus and ex-Chesapeake Energy (CHK) chief Aubrey McClendon -- and another eight died during the year.
Collectively, the world's billionaires had a net worth of $5.4 trillion, a 17% increase from the previous year.
Carlos Slim Helú of Mexico tops the list for the fourth consecutive year. Slim is followed by Microsoft (MSFT) co-founder Bill Gates. (Microsoft publishes MSN Money.) Amancio Ortega, the man behind fashion chain Zara, is the world's third-wealthiest individual, with a net worth of $57 billion. That's $19.5 billion more than Ortega was worth in 2011, making the Spaniard the year's biggest gainer.
The fourth-wealthiest individual, legendary investor Warren Buffett slipped out of the top three for the first time since 2000.
L'Oreal (LRLCY) heiress Liliane Bettencourt moves back into the top 10 for the first time since 1999 and reclaims the title of world's richest woman.
Among the notable newcomers were founders of some of the world's hottest brands, including Dolce & Gabbana, Tory Burch and Chobani yogurt, as well as the first-ever billionaires from Angola, Guernsey, Nepal, Swaziland and Vietnam.
Rank: 1
Net worth: $73 billion
Source: telecommunications, real estate, mining, retail
Citizenship: Mexico
The world's richest man saw his net worth rise by $4 billion, largely due to surging stock prices at Grupo Carso, the industrial and retail giant he controls, and at Grupo Financiero Inbursa, his financial group.
America Movil (AMX), a provider of telecommunications services across Latin America, remains Slim's most valuable holding, worth $36.3 billion. The Mexico City company spread its wings to Europe in the past year, buying pieces of Dutch telecom company KPN and Telekom Austria.
Slim also bought a majority stake in struggling Spanish soccer team Real Oviedo in 2012.
As a philanthropist, Slim is Latin America's most generous person; his foundation pledged to translate into Spanish 1,000 videos from the Khan Academy education nonprofit website. Last year, he teamed with the world's second-richest man, Bill Gates, to fund research aimed at improving farmers' yields.
Net worth: $73 billion
Source: telecommunications, real estate, mining, retail
Citizenship: Mexico
The world's richest man saw his net worth rise by $4 billion, largely due to surging stock prices at Grupo Carso, the industrial and retail giant he controls, and at Grupo Financiero Inbursa, his financial group.
America Movil (AMX), a provider of telecommunications services across Latin America, remains Slim's most valuable holding, worth $36.3 billion. The Mexico City company spread its wings to Europe in the past year, buying pieces of Dutch telecom company KPN and Telekom Austria.
Slim also bought a majority stake in struggling Spanish soccer team Real Oviedo in 2012.
As a philanthropist, Slim is Latin America's most generous person; his foundation pledged to translate into Spanish 1,000 videos from the Khan Academy education nonprofit website. Last year, he teamed with the world's second-richest man, Bill Gates, to fund research aimed at improving farmers' yields.
Rank: 2
Net worth: $67 billion
Source: Microsoft
Citizenship: United States
The world's biggest philanthropist has given away $28 billion, the vast majority of it to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Gates' net worth increased by $6 billion in 2012 due to gains in his investment portfolio. Holdings include tech hygiene firm Ecolab (ECL) and Mexican bottler Coca-Cola Femsa (KOF), each up more than 20% in the past year. Microsoft stock -- Gates owns about 5% of the company -- accounts for 18% of his net worth.
Gates recently said the only thing left on his bucket list was, "Don't die."
Net worth: $67 billion
Source: Microsoft
Citizenship: United States
The world's biggest philanthropist has given away $28 billion, the vast majority of it to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Gates' net worth increased by $6 billion in 2012 due to gains in his investment portfolio. Holdings include tech hygiene firm Ecolab (ECL) and Mexican bottler Coca-Cola Femsa (KOF), each up more than 20% in the past year. Microsoft stock -- Gates owns about 5% of the company -- accounts for 18% of his net worth.
Gates recently said the only thing left on his bucket list was, "Don't die."
Rank: 3
Net worth: $57 billion
Source: Zara
Citizenship: Spain
Ortega's net worth shot up in 2012 on a gain of more than 50% in the value of his shares of Inditex (IDEXF), the world's largest fashion group. Ortega stepped down as the company's chairman in 2011 but still owns nearly 60% of the stock.
He also has a real estate portfolio, estimated to be worth more than $4 billion, that includes iconic Torre Picasso, a 43-story skyscraper in Madrid (Google is a tenant), plus properties in Madrid, London, Chicago, San Francisco and New York.
Net worth: $57 billion
Source: Zara
Citizenship: Spain
Ortega's net worth shot up in 2012 on a gain of more than 50% in the value of his shares of Inditex (IDEXF), the world's largest fashion group. Ortega stepped down as the company's chairman in 2011 but still owns nearly 60% of the stock.
He also has a real estate portfolio, estimated to be worth more than $4 billion, that includes iconic Torre Picasso, a 43-story skyscraper in Madrid (Google is a tenant), plus properties in Madrid, London, Chicago, San Francisco and New York.
Rank: 4
Net worth: $53.5 billion
Source: Berkshire Hathaway
Citizenship: United States
The Oracle of Omaha saw his personal fortune rise by $9.5 billion, more than anyone on this year's list except Ortega, who jumped ahead of Buffett in this year's ranking. Buffett benefitted from the 26% gain in the value of his shares in Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B), his investment vehicle.
Investors the world over admire Buffett for his deal-making savvy. Last month, Buffett announced a deal with Brazilian billionaire Jorge Paulo Lemann's 3G Capital to snap up iconic ketchup producer H.J. Heinz (HNZ) for $23.2 billion.
Buffett is also active in philanthropy, and he has devoted time in recent years to trying to persuade other billionaires to sign The Giving Pledge, a commitment to donate a majority of one's wealth to philanthropy.
Net worth: $53.5 billion
Source: Berkshire Hathaway
Citizenship: United States
The Oracle of Omaha saw his personal fortune rise by $9.5 billion, more than anyone on this year's list except Ortega, who jumped ahead of Buffett in this year's ranking. Buffett benefitted from the 26% gain in the value of his shares in Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B), his investment vehicle.
Investors the world over admire Buffett for his deal-making savvy. Last month, Buffett announced a deal with Brazilian billionaire Jorge Paulo Lemann's 3G Capital to snap up iconic ketchup producer H.J. Heinz (HNZ) for $23.2 billion.
Buffett is also active in philanthropy, and he has devoted time in recent years to trying to persuade other billionaires to sign The Giving Pledge, a commitment to donate a majority of one's wealth to philanthropy.
Rank: 5
Net worth: $43 billion
Source: Oracle
Citizenship: United States
The co-founder and chief executive of Oracle (ORCL) saw his net worth rise by $7 billion over the last year, largely on the strength of his Oracle shares.
Ellison put some of those gains to use in June, when he bought 98% of the Hawaiian island of Lanai from billionaire David Murdock of the Dole Food Group (DOLE), for a reported $500 million. More recently, Ellison purchased an airline -- Island Air -- to go with his island acquisition.
Elsewhere, Ellison continues to buy property in Malibu, Calif. He's also gearing up for America's Cup yacht races in San Francisco later this year.
Net worth: $43 billion
Source: Oracle
Citizenship: United States
The co-founder and chief executive of Oracle (ORCL) saw his net worth rise by $7 billion over the last year, largely on the strength of his Oracle shares.
Ellison put some of those gains to use in June, when he bought 98% of the Hawaiian island of Lanai from billionaire David Murdock of the Dole Food Group (DOLE), for a reported $500 million. More recently, Ellison purchased an airline -- Island Air -- to go with his island acquisition.
Elsewhere, Ellison continues to buy property in Malibu, Calif. He's also gearing up for America's Cup yacht races in San Francisco later this year.
Rank: 6 (tied)
Net worth: $34 billion
Source: diversified
Citizenship: United States
Charles Koch is tied for sixth with his younger brother, David. The Koch brothers built their fortune around crude-oil refining and chemicals, turning the privately held Koch Industries into a conglomerate with $115 billion in annual sales.
A die-hard libertarian, Charles Koch made significant investments in so-called super PACs organized to deny a second term to President Barack Obama.
In a December 2012 interview with Forbes, Koch said he sees plenty of growth opportunities for Koch Industries. The company will continue to reinvest 90% of dividends, he said, and management is scouting for billion-dollar acquisitions.
Net worth: $34 billion
Source: diversified
Citizenship: United States
Charles Koch is tied for sixth with his younger brother, David. The Koch brothers built their fortune around crude-oil refining and chemicals, turning the privately held Koch Industries into a conglomerate with $115 billion in annual sales.
A die-hard libertarian, Charles Koch made significant investments in so-called super PACs organized to deny a second term to President Barack Obama.
In a December 2012 interview with Forbes, Koch said he sees plenty of growth opportunities for Koch Industries. The company will continue to reinvest 90% of dividends, he said, and management is scouting for billion-dollar acquisitions.
Rank: 6 (tied)
Net worth: $34 billion
Source: diversified
Citizenship: United States
David Koch runs the chemical equipment side of Koch Industries from his home in New York. He's more active than Charles in politics, though he shared his brother's passion for making Obama a one-term president. The failure to do so was "bitterly disappointing," he told Forbes in an interview after the election. But he vowed to continue with his campaign to drive down government spending and taxes. "We're not going to roll over and play dead," he told Forbes.
Koch is one of America's leading philanthropists. He has given away more than $1 billion over his lifetime, including $395 million for medical research since 1998.
Net worth: $34 billion
Source: diversified
Citizenship: United States
David Koch runs the chemical equipment side of Koch Industries from his home in New York. He's more active than Charles in politics, though he shared his brother's passion for making Obama a one-term president. The failure to do so was "bitterly disappointing," he told Forbes in an interview after the election. But he vowed to continue with his campaign to drive down government spending and taxes. "We're not going to roll over and play dead," he told Forbes.
Koch is one of America's leading philanthropists. He has given away more than $1 billion over his lifetime, including $395 million for medical research since 1998.
Rank: 8
Net worth: $31 billion
Source: diversified
Citizenship: Hong Kong
Asia's richest individual is the only one from the continent among the world's top 20 billionaires.
Ka-shing's companies employ 260,000 people in 52 countries. His fortune jumped $5.5 billion to $31 billion over the past 12 months, as the value of shares of each of his three biggest holdings -- Cheung Kong, Hutchison Whampoa and Husky Energy -- rose by more than 10%. He received $860 million in dividend income from stock holdings in 2012.
Among his notable tech bets are investments he has made in Facebook (FB), commercial music streaming service Spotify and social TV platform Stevie.
Net worth: $31 billion
Source: diversified
Citizenship: Hong Kong
Asia's richest individual is the only one from the continent among the world's top 20 billionaires.
Ka-shing's companies employ 260,000 people in 52 countries. His fortune jumped $5.5 billion to $31 billion over the past 12 months, as the value of shares of each of his three biggest holdings -- Cheung Kong, Hutchison Whampoa and Husky Energy -- rose by more than 10%. He received $860 million in dividend income from stock holdings in 2012.
Among his notable tech bets are investments he has made in Facebook (FB), commercial music streaming service Spotify and social TV platform Stevie.
Rank: 9
Net worth: $30 billion
Source: L'Oreal
Citizenship: France
The world's richest woman and heiress to the L'Oreal cosmetics fortune moved up six places and into the top 10 this year, thanks to a more than 30% rise in the price of L'Oreal stock. Her net worth is $6 billion higher than a year ago. Bettencourt last cracked the top 10 in 1999.
Her father founded L'Oreal, and she and her family own more than 30% of the company.
Bettencourt's assets were placed under the guardianship of her daughter in 2011 after a three-year legal battle. Bettencourt, widowed and age 90, suffers from dementia. Her grandson, Jean-Victor Meyers, took her spot on the L'Oreal board in February 2012.
Net worth: $30 billion
Source: L'Oreal
Citizenship: France
The world's richest woman and heiress to the L'Oreal cosmetics fortune moved up six places and into the top 10 this year, thanks to a more than 30% rise in the price of L'Oreal stock. Her net worth is $6 billion higher than a year ago. Bettencourt last cracked the top 10 in 1999.
Her father founded L'Oreal, and she and her family own more than 30% of the company.
Bettencourt's assets were placed under the guardianship of her daughter in 2011 after a three-year legal battle. Bettencourt, widowed and age 90, suffers from dementia. Her grandson, Jean-Victor Meyers, took her spot on the L'Oreal board in February 2012.
Rank: 10
Net worth: $29 billion
Source: LVMH
Citizenship: France
Arnault relinquishes his status as Europe's richest person, a position he held in last year's Forbes survey, after the magazine downgraded its estimate of the value of his luxury-goods empire, LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMUY).
In addition, Forbes has made a downward adjustment to its estimated value of Arnault's stake in Christian Dior, which has a 41% interest in LVMH and trades at a near 20% discount to the underlying shares.
Arnault denied reports that his request for Belgian citizenship last year was related to France's tax policies.
It was announced in October that Arnault would be knighted for his services in the United Kingdom.
Net worth: $29 billion
Source: LVMH
Citizenship: France
Arnault relinquishes his status as Europe's richest person, a position he held in last year's Forbes survey, after the magazine downgraded its estimate of the value of his luxury-goods empire, LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMUY).
In addition, Forbes has made a downward adjustment to its estimated value of Arnault's stake in Christian Dior, which has a 41% interest in LVMH and trades at a near 20% discount to the underlying shares.
Arnault denied reports that his request for Belgian citizenship last year was related to France's tax policies.
It was announced in October that Arnault would be knighted for his services in the United Kingdom.
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