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.
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
No. 12: S. Robson Walton
Net worth: $34.7 billion
Main source of wealth: heir to the Wal-Mart empire
Age: 70
Country: The United States
No. 11: Alice Walton
Net worth: $34.7 billion
Main source of wealth: heiress to the Wal-Mart empire
Age: 64
Country: The United States
No. 10: Jim Walton
Net worth: $35.2 billion
Main source of wealth: heir to the Wal-Mart empire
Age: 66
Country: The United States
No. 9: Christy Walton
Net worth: $37.6 billion
Main source of wealth: heiress to the Wal-Mart empire
Age: 59
Country: The United States
No. 8: Sheldon Adelson
Net worth: $37.9 billion
Main source of wealth: casinos
Age: 80
Country: The United States
No. 7: David Koch
Net worth: $40.1 billion
Main source of wealth: Koch Industries
Age: 73
Country: The United States
No. 6: Charles Koch
Net worth: $40.1 billion
Main source of wealth: Koch Industries
Age: 78
Country: The United States
No. 5: Larry Ellison
Net worth: $49.3 billion
Main source of wealth: Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL)
Age: 69
Country: The United States
No. 4: Warren Buffet
Net worth: $63.3 billion
Main source of wealth: Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK.B)
Age: 83
Country: The United States
Warren Buffett is the only hedge fund manager in our list. He owes his huge wealth to his investment skills. If you aren’t familiar Buffett, please read our 20 Most Inspirational Warren Buffett Quotes.
No. 3: Armancio Ortega
Net worth: $63.8 billion
Main source of wealth: Retail
Age: 78
Country: Spain
No. 2: Carlos Slim Helu
Net worth: $68.8 billion
Main source of wealth: Telecom
Age: 74
Country: Mexico
No. 1: Bill Gates
Net worth: $77.1 billion
Main source of wealth: Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)
Age: 58
Country: The United States
Bill Gates doesn’t directly invest money in the stock market but his foundation invests in secure, dividend paying stocks. Check out the list of Bill Gates’ stocks.
