Tech & Biz

Bill Gates Tops Forbes List of Richest People

by Rob Walker | March 12, 2009 at 05:43 am

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The world's richest people aren't quite so rich anymore, with fewer billionaires on Forbes rich list than last year. In 2008 there were 1,125 billionaires, this year there are only 793. Thanks to the financial crisis, Warren Buffett dropped from first place and was supplanted by Bill Gates, who is worth $40 billion US.

You'll excuse me if I don't shed a tear for any of the people who went from being billionaires to multi-millionaires.

The world has become a wealth wasteland. Like the rest of us, the richest people in the world have endured a financial disaster over the past year. Today there are 793 people on our list of the World's Billionaires, a 30% decline from a year ago.
Of the 1,125 billionaires who made last year's ranking, 373 fell off the list--355 from declining fortunes and 18 who died. There are 38 newcomers, plus three moguls who returned to the list after regaining their 10-figure fortunes. It is the first time since 2003 that the world has had a net loss in the number of billionaires.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has regained the title of the world's richest man, he's worth $US40 billion (62 billion AUS).
He's topped Forbes' annual rich list after close contenders, investment guru Warren Buffett and Mexican telecom magnate Carlos Slim, each lost $US25 billion (39 AUS billion) amid the economic downturn.