Top 10 World Richest

Top 10 World’s Richest Persons – 2011
#1. Carlos Slim Helu
Net Worth: $74 billion (up from $53.5 billion in 2010)
Age: 71
Fortune: Self made
Source: Telecom
Country of Citizenship: Mexico
Residence: Mexico City, Mexico
Industry: Communications
Marital Status: widowed, 6 children
Education: BA/BS, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico

The world’s richest person for a second year in a row, the Mexican telecom mogul is also the year’s biggest gainer, having added $20.5 billion to his fortune and widened the gap between him and no. 2, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, to $18 billion. A 19% rise in the Mexican stock market, a stronger peso, and successful mining and real estate spinoffs from conglomerate Grupo Carso all contributed to the astonishing increase. He also merged his fixed-line telecom company into America Movil, Latin America’s largest wireless carrier; the Slim family stake in that holding accounts for 62% of his net worth. He has other holdings in retailer Saks and the New York Times.

#2. William Gates III
Net Worth: $56 billion (up from $50 billion)
Age: 55
Fortune: Self made
Source: Microsoft
Country of Citizenship: United States
Residence: Medina, Washington, USA
Industry: Software
Marital Status: Married, 3 children
Education: Dropout, Harvard University

Microsoft mogul, futurist and America’s richest person has, with help from billionaire buddy Warren Buffett, convinced nearly 60 of the world’s wealthiest to sign his “Giving Pledge,” promising to donate the majority of their wealth to charity either during their lifetime or after death. He is no longer the planet’s richest person, but that’s because he’s given away $30 billion to his foundation. The Gates Foundation, the world’s most influential charity, tackles tuberculosis and polio and funds famine-resistant crops to fight hunger. Gates holds 70% of his wealth in investment fund Cascade, dabbling in everything from autos to hedge funds to Mexican Coke... [continues]

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