Top 15 Billionaires in 2014

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Who are the top billionaires? When we take a look at the richest people in the world: top class entrepreneurs, titans in their industry of choice, or people who’ve simple inherited their fortunes. Except Warren Buffett, none of these people are hedge fund managers. And Warren Buffett stopped managing a hedge fund long time ago. In order to join the ranks of the World’s richest people you need to take risks in life. If you don’t put all your eggs in one basket, you probably don’t have a chance to crack the top three. You know what? We don’t think these people care at all about being at the top of this list though. Bill Gates and Warren Buffett work hard to give away their wealth.

In this article we would like to present you with a list we have compiled of the top 15 billionaires in 2014, based on the statistics issued at the beginning of March by Forbes Magazine. Check out our lists of youngest hedge fund billionaires and top 20 female billionaires in 2014.

This year, Forbes’ list features a record number of billionaires: 1,645, 268 of which are complete newcomers. Their aggregate wealth? A whopping $6.5 trillion. Judging by the looks of these figures, one thing is clear: wealth is spreading across the globe.

Cascade Investments

Bill Gates retains his spot as leader in this year’s countdown, with an estimated net worth of $77.1 billion. Retail telecom Carlos Slim Helu is once again the runner-up, with a fortune estimated at $68.8 billion. Finally, retail mogul Armancio Ortega wraps up the top three, with $63.8 billion. Apart from them, our countdown also features 4 heirs to the Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) empire and two brothers. Apparently, wealth is a family business.

Curious to see who else made this year’s list of wealthiest billionaires? Let’s take a look at the countdown.

No. 15: Stefan Persson

Net worth: $32.4 billion

Main source of wealth: H&M

Age: 66

Country: Sweden

No. 14: Bernard Arnault

Net worth: $33.8 billion

Main source of wealth: LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy)

Age: 65

Country: France

No. 13: Liliane Bettencourt

Net worth: $34 billion

Main source of wealth: L’Oreal

Age: 91

Country: France

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