Forbes announced its annual list of billionaires today. Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, keeps in the top spot for the 10th time in a row.
The top 10 list:
Rank, Name Age Net Worth ($b)
1. William Gates III 48 46.6
2. Warren Buffett 73 42.9
3. Karl Albrecht 84 23
4. Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud 47 21.5
5. Paul Allen 51 21
6. Alice Walton 55 20
6. Helen Walton 84 20
6. Jim Walton 56 20
6. John Walton 58 20
6. S Robson Walton 60 20
The top 10 is not much changed from last year's. The only drop-out is Lawrence J Ellison from Oracle, whose net worth still increased $2.1 billion in 2003 but was overshadowed by the Waltons. He is the #12 richest in 2004.
It is noteworthy that Warren Buffett had a nice year: his net worth increased from last year's $30.5 billion to $42.9 billion, now seriously challenging Gates the richest. (Gates' net worth grew close to $6 billion in the past year.)
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