Carlos Slim Helu takes No. 1 spot on Forbes World's Billionaires list as a record 164 10-figure titans return to the ranking amid the global economic recovery.
Slim's fortune has swelled to an estimated $53.5 billion, up $18.5 billion in 12 months. Shares of America Movil, of which Slim owns a $23 billion stake, were up 35% in a year.
That massive hoard of scratch puts him ahead of Microsoft (MSFT) cofounder Bill Gates, who had held the title of world's richest 14 of the past 15 years.
Gates, now worth $53 billion, is ranked second in the world. He is up $13 billion from a year ago as shares of Microsoft rose 50% in 12 months. Gates' holdings in his personal investment vehicle Cascade (CAE) also soared with the rest of the markets.
The Top 20 Billionaires in the World[according to Forbes]
AP Photo
1) Carlos Slim Helu
Net Worth: $53.5 billion
Source: Telecom
Residence: Mexico
• Telecom tycoon who pounced on privatization of Mexico's national telephone company in the 1990s becomes world's richest person for first time after coming in third place last year. Net worth up $18.5 billion in a year.
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2) Bill Gates
Net Worth: $53 billion
Source: Microsoft
Residence: U.S.
• Software visionary is now the world's second-richest man. Net worth still up $13 billion in a year as Microsoft shares rose 50% in 12 months, value of investment vehicle Cascade swelled.
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3) Warren Buffett
Net Worth: $47 billion
Source: Investments
Residence: U.S.
• America's favorite investor up $10 billion in past 12 months on surging Berkshire Hathaway shares; says U.S. has survived economic "Pearl Harbor," but warns recovery will be slow
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4) Mukesh Ambani
Net Worth: $29 billion
Source: Petrochemicals, oil and gas
Residence: India
• Global ambitions: His Reliance Industries, already India's most valuable company, recently bid $2 billion for 65% stake in troubled Canadian oil sands outfit Value Creations.
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5) Lakshmi Mittal
Net Worth: $28.7 billion
Source: Steel
Residence: India
• London's richest resident oversees ArcelorMittal, world's largest steel maker. Net profits fell 75% in 2009.
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6) Lawrence Ellison
Net Worth: $28 billion
Source: Oracle
Residence: U.S.
• Oracle founder's fortune continues to soar; shares up 70% in past 12 months.Database giant has bought 57 companies in the past five years.
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7) Bernard Arnault
Net Worth: $27.5 billion
Source: Luxury goods
Residence: France
• Bling is back, helping fashion icon grab title of richest European as shares of his luxury goods outfit LVMH--maker of Louis Vuitton, Moet & Chandon--surge 57%.
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8) Eike Batista
Net Worth: $27 billion
Source: Mining, oil
Residence: Brazil
• Vowing to become world's richest man--and he may be on his way. This year's biggest gainer added $19.5 billion to his personal balance sheet.
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9) Amancio Ortega
Net Worth: $25 billion
Source: Fashion retail
Residence: Spain
• Style maven lords over Inditex; fashion firm, which operates under several brand names including Zara, Massimo Dutti and Stradivarius, has 4,500 stores in 73 countries including new spots in Mexico and Syria.
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10) Karl Albrecht
Net Worth: $23.5 billion
Source: Supermarkets
Residence: Germany
• Owns discount supermarket giant Aldi Sud, one of Germany's (and Europe's) dominant grocers.• Has 1,000 stores in U.S. across 29 states.• Estimated sales: $37 billion.
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11) Ingvar Kamprad and Family
Net Worth: $23 billion
Source: Ikea
Residence: Sweden
• Ikea's reputation under fire. In Russia company fired two top managers for allowing bribes to a power supplier. In France firm is facing an extended workers' strike.
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12) Christy Walton and Family
Net Worth: $22.5 billion
Source: Wal-Mart
Residence: U.S.
• World's largest retailer benefited as cash-strapped shoppers looked to discount merchandise at start of economic slump.
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13) Stefan Persson
Net Worth: $22.4 billion
Source: H&M
Residence: Sweden
• "Cheap chic" mogul is chairman of Hennes & Mauritz (H&M); promoted son, Karl-Johan, 34, to chief executive in July.
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14) Li Ka-shing
Net Worth: $21 billion
Source: Diversified
Residence: Hong Kong
• Betting on recovery, upped stakes in publicly traded conglomerates Cheung Kong and Hutchison Whampoa. Cheung Kong paid $100 million for shares in Russian aluminum maker Rusal ahead of its January Hong Kong public offering. Hutchison Whampoa is attempting to take its telecom subsidiary private for $545 million in cash; awaiting regulatory approval.
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15) Jim C. Walton
Net Worth: $20.7 billion
Source: Wal-Mart
Residence: U.S.
• Sam Walton started as J.C. Penney clerk. Opened Benjamin Franklin five-and-dime in 1945; lost lease five years later. Founded Bentonville, Ark., general store with brother James in 1962.
• Today Walmart has $405 billion in annual sales, 2 million employees, more than 8,400 stores.
• Jim runs family's Arvest bank.
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16) Alice Walton
Net Worth: $20.6 billion
Source: Wal-Mart
Residence: U.S.
• World's largest retailer benefited as cash-strapped shoppers looked to discount merchandise at start of economic slump.• Alice funded $100 million airport in Bentonville 1990; building Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
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17) Liliane Bettencourt
Net Worth: $20 billion
Source: L'Oreal
Residence: France
• Makeup heiress' fortune rebounding with L'Oreal shares.
• Company, founded by her father, celebrated its 100th birthday in 2009.
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18) S. Robson Walton
Net Worth: $19.8 billion
Source: Wal-Mart
Residence: U.S.
• Rob has been chairman of Wal-Mart since 1992.
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19) Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Alsaud
Net Worth: $19.4 billion
Source: Diversified
Residence: Saudi Arabia
• Net worth of globe-trotting investor and nephew of the Saudi king is up $6.1 billion in the past year.• Two-thirds of his fortune is held in his 95% stake in Saudi-listed investment vehicle, Kingdom Holding.
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20) David Thomson and Family
Net Worth: $19 billion
Source: Thomson Reuters
Residence: Canada
• Chairman of Thomson Reuters knocks longtime rival Michael Bloomberg out of top 20.
• Firm acquired financial commentary site Breakingviews in December.• Also owns CTVglobemedia; multimedia outfit's holdings include Canada's national newspaper, The Globe and Mail, and dozens of TV channels and radio stations.
..Definately, the obvious question....WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO OUR NAIJA BILLIONARES???
The likes of Dangote, Otedola, IBB, and of course...the endlist that 'we' dont even know about???
Phewww...are they being bitten by tyhe economic crunch????
Hmnnn....I need answers O!!!
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