Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

World's 10 richest business tycoons

Last updated on: March 05, 2015 19:45 IST

Image: Bill Gates remains the world’s richest man. Photograph: Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters
 
 

The world is richer with a record number of 1,826 billionaires with an aggregate net worth of $7.05 trillion, up from $6.4 trillion a year ago, states Forbes magazine.

The world's wealthiest defied global economic turmoil and plunging oil prices to script new chapters in their businesses.

The total number of billionaires includes 290 newcomers, 71 of whom are from China.

Meet the world’s ten richest people from the world of business…

Bill Gates

Rank: 1

Net worth: $79.2 billion

Bill Gates continues to remain the the richest man in the world , according to the latest Forbes ranking of the world's billionaires.


Image: Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim. Photograph: Victor Ruiz Garcia/Reuters
 
 

Carlos Slim Helu

Rank: 2

Net worth: $77.1 billion

Known as the "Warren Buffett of Mexico", Carlos Slim has holdings in a number of Mexican companies through his conglomerate, Grupo Carso.



Image: Warren Buffett. Photograph: Carlo Allegri /Reuters
 
 

Warren Buffett

Rank: 3

Net worth: $72.7 billion

Founder: Berkshire Hathaway

One of the world's most successful investors, Warren Buffett is a famous philanthropist, having given away 99 percent of his fortune to philanthropic causes.

 
Image: Amancio Ortega. Photograph: Miguel Vidal/Reuters
 
 

Amancio Ortega

Founder: Inditex SA (Zara fashion chain)


Rank: 4

Net worth: $64.5 billion


Image: Larry Ellison. Photograph: Stephen Lam/Reuters
 
 

Larry Ellison

Co-founder: Oracle

Rank: 5

Net worth: $54.3 billion



Image: Charles Koch. Photograph: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters
 
 

Charles Koch 
Chairman & CEO, Koch Industries

David Koch
Executive Vice President, Koch Industries

Koch Brothers shares the 6th rank.

Rank: 6

Net worth of each: $42.9 billion 


Image: Christy Walton is one of the richest heirs of Wal-mart family. Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters
 
 

Christy Walton and her family

Christy Walton is widow of John T. Walton, one of the sons of Sam Walton, the founder of Wal-mart.

Rank: 8

Net worth: $41.7 billion 


Image: Jim Walton (L) with his sister Alice Walton and brother Rob Walton.
Photograph: Jacob Slaton/Reuters
 
 

Jim Walton

Rank: 9

Net worth: $40.6 billion

He is youngest son of Sam Walton, the founder of Wal-mart.


Image: Liliane Bettencourt. Photograph: Charles Platiau/Reuters
 
 

Liliane Bettencourt

Rank: 10

Net worth: $40.1 billion 

Liliane Bettencourt is the heiress to the L'Oreal business empire.