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Thursday
Mar122009
Bill Gates on Top Again
Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 1:05AM
With the world economy in dire straits, its harder than ever to hold on to a billion dollars. If fact the number of billionaires in the world has declined from 1,125 to only 793. That's right 332 people can no longer claim to be among the super wealthy.
However there is some good news: despite losing $18 billion, Bill Gates, the founder of MicroSoft, has returned once again to the top of the list with $40 billion (he had fallen to #3 last year). In what can only be described as "the Revenge of the Nerd", Bill has rested the top spot away from his friend, Warren Buffett. It was Buffett who just last year ended the 13-year reign of Bill Gates. Buffett lost $25 billion and had to be content with a second place finish of only $37 billion. Carlos Slim Helu of Mexico, who also lost $25 billion, slipped to #3 with only $35 billion.
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, one of last year's stars when he became the youngest self-made billionaire is no longer a member of the billionaire club.
But proving that crime does sometimes pay is Joaquin "Shorty" Guzman. Guzman made the list for the first time this year, he is worth $1 billion. Guzman was unavailable for comment because he is one of the world's most wanted men. He is a Mexican Drug Lord.
However there is some good news: despite losing $18 billion, Bill Gates, the founder of MicroSoft, has returned once again to the top of the list with $40 billion (he had fallen to #3 last year). In what can only be described as "the Revenge of the Nerd", Bill has rested the top spot away from his friend, Warren Buffett. It was Buffett who just last year ended the 13-year reign of Bill Gates. Buffett lost $25 billion and had to be content with a second place finish of only $37 billion. Carlos Slim Helu of Mexico, who also lost $25 billion, slipped to #3 with only $35 billion.
There was only one person in the top 20 who got richer: New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg who saw his fortunes rise from $11.5 billion to $16 billion. He jumped from # 65 last year to # 17 this year. He is now the richest man in New York.
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, one of last year's stars when he became the youngest self-made billionaire is no longer a member of the billionaire club.
But proving that crime does sometimes pay is Joaquin "Shorty" Guzman. Guzman made the list for the first time this year, he is worth $1 billion. Guzman was unavailable for comment because he is one of the world's most wanted men. He is a Mexican Drug Lord.
For a complete list of billionaires check out the Forbes List.
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