Bill Gates still the richest man in the world.

[Serena]

I can't count that high even in my dreams.

AP: For the 10th year in a row, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates is the world's richest man. Mr. Gates topped Forbes magazine's annual list of world billionaires this year, with a personal fortune of over $46 billion.

U.S. investor Warren Buffett stands second with nearly $43 billion, adding more than $12 billion to his net worth. German supermarket magnate Karl Albrecht is third with $23 billion, while Saudi Arabia's Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is fourth with just over $21 billion.

Forbes says there are 587 billionaires worldwide, up from 476 in 2003. Combined, the billionaires are worth nearly $2 trillion.

The list saw the addition of 64 new billionaires. Among the new rich is the author of the Harry Potter series of children's books, JK Rowling, and the two creators of the popular Internet search engine, Google - Sergey Brin and Larry Page.
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Billionaires getting richer and more numerous

RAKING IT IN: Last year's economic recovery created 64 new billionaires, including Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling and Esprit clothing chain owner Michael Ying

AFP , NEW YORK
Saturday, Feb 28, 2004

Financial magnate Warren Buffet, whose wealth rose US$12.4 billion last year, was the second richest man in the world.

The world's richest people got a whole lot richer in the past year, and more numerous, with Forbes magazine adding 64 new members Thursday to its annual billionaire's list -- headed once again by Bill Gates.

Among the most prominent debutantes on the Forbes ranking was Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, who just a few years ago was a penniless single mother struggling to make ends meet.

After two years of declining fortunes caused by a weakened global economy, the total net worth of the world's billionaires soared by US$500 billion, from US$1.4 trillion last year to US$1.9 trillion.

Microsoft co-founder Gates headed the list for the 10th year in a row, with an estimated net worth of US$46.6 billion, up from US$40.7 billion the previous year.

But his position was looking more vulnerable than ever. Legendary investor Warren Buffet added US$12.4 billion -- the biggest gain of anyone on the list -- to leave him just short of Gates with US$42.9 billion.

This year's total of 587 billionaires was a Forbes record, with 56 "comeback" billionaires joining the 64 rookies and the others on last year's list.

J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books, made it onto the billionaire's list for the first time, ranking joint 552nd. Rowling, 38, ranked a joint 552nd on the list with a straight US$1 billion, alongside the creators of the popular Google search engine, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, who have barely turned 30 and plan to take their company public this year.

Other new boys on the billionaire block were Canadian impresario Guy Laliberte, creator of Cirque du Soleil, and Hong Kong's Michael Ying, whose Esprit apparel line looks set to conquer the globe.

Thanks to rising oil prices, Russia minted eight new billionaires, bringing that country's total to 25 -- the third-highest concentration of billionaires in the world behind the US and Germany.

Not all were able to spend it, however, with Russian oil barons Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev joining Japanese tycoon Yasuo Takei on the ignominious sub-list of billionaires in jail or police custody.

Nine Asians returned to the list, a testament to the improving world economy. The highest-ranking Asian was Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing, who came in 19th with a net worth of US$12.4 billion.

The average age on the billionaire honor roll was 64, with only 27 members of the 10-figure club coming in under the 40-year-old mark.

[Storm]

Money isn't everything. I could have been richer than Bill but what good would it do you if you aren't happy?Or 6 foot under? It's a bit obscene really,one man having all that. I mean he could give me some!
Ps.Anyone got tonight's lottery numbers?http://images.animfactory.com/animat...ous_md_blk.gif

[Amos Stevens]

Well Storm all you gotta do is buy a lottery ticket for every number combination possible!


Thanks Serena for the article

[yudansha]

Yep Bill Gates is rich, and I wouldn't mind trading places with him. There are a lot of things you can do with that money. Gates actually helped the U.S. government at one time (actually more than one time) to help deal with some of the national debts (in some of the departments). Money brings prestige, and I would love to be one of those people at the top. However, over those last years of being at the top, Bill Gates lost over half his fortune (used to have somewhere close to 100bill... see how Bill and billion fit :=). Ain't it something.

[Serena]

Originally Posted by yudansha

......However, over those last years of being at the top, Bill Gates lost over half his fortune (used to have somewhere close to 100bill... see how Bill and billion fit :=). Ain't it something.

Somehow, Yudansha, I just can't seem to muster up too much sympathy for him--know what I mean?

[justice808]

Bill can kiss my ass!I once heard a rumour that Bill used to wipe his back-side with $50 notes!Now I can believe it.For one man to have that much money is obscene.

[yudansha]

It's not obscene, he got lucky with DOS, that's business. In business it's never personal, otherwise you would stand no chance in the real market. Respect is your own thing, and that is a lot of money, but most of it is in stocks and not in his bank account. He is a smart man who knows how to handle his wealth, and that I respect. He might not be the wisest or the most generous, but he will never be 'kissing your ass' more like the other way around if you want to deal with him.

[justice808]

You his son by any chance?!Or maybe his ex lover?!You like sticking up for him don't you?He can still kiss my ass:!D

[yudansha]

Did you have some of that dilute American beer, did that make you drunk to talk like an idiot? I just think that the money is well earned. The man obviously has a smart head on his shoulders. Just because many can't make that middle class, and are stuck at a McDonalds all the life, doesn't mean everybody else has to do the same thing. Money does not come easily; and you as a proclaimed detective should know that. If Bill Gates has that money, than good for him; as far as for that totally immature comment go and translate this STFU, and don't be ridiculous.

[Disciple]

David Bowie is pretty rich too, no?

[Disciple]

Anyway, getting back on topic... A close friend of the family is a billionaire (in dollar terms at least) through his computer company. I have to say from what I've seen of their billionaire lifestyle, it's not all it's cracked up to be. I mean sure, you never have to worry about bills anymore, or putting the kids through college etc, but there's a lot of headaches that come with that much money. Most of it to do with the fact that everyone around wants a piece. And unless you're REALLY obsessed with buying and accumulating stuff, then you'll get bored pretty quickly. A lot of rich people stop appreciating the material things they've got when they no longer have to "earn it the hard way" like most of us. I don't want to generalize, but I think it is true with a lot of them. Still, out of all the really super rich people out there, the one who I admire most and who I'd most want to be like would be Richard Branson (of the "Virgin" company). He just seems like a nice, together guy, with a lot of value in the services he provides from airlines to record stores, and does good things with his life with an adventurous spirit.

Me, I would be happy if I could just pay off my bills and try to help as many people as I could along the way whether financially or otherwise (throwing money at people with problems isn't always the solution). That's where the true reward lies, you know. Feeling you've done really something with your life, really helped someone else and made a positive change in theirs. So there are plenty of rich people out there...

[Serena]

The Top Billionaires:

1. William H Gates III
2. Warren E Buffett
3. Karl & Theo Albrecht
4. Paul G Allen
5. Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud
6. Lawrence J Ellison
7. Alice L Walton
8. Helen R Walton
9. Jim C Walton
10. John T Walton

The Top 25 Celebrities:

1. Steven Spielberg
2. George Lucas
3. Oprah Winfrey
4. J.K. Rowling
5. Tiger Woods
6. Michael Schumacher
7. Rolling Stones
8. Will Smith
9. Paul McCartney
10.David Copperfield
11.Tom Hanks
12. Siegfried & Roy
13. Eddie Murphy
14. Mary Higgins Clark
15. Jim Carrey
16. Kelsey Grammer
17. Mike Myers
18. Nora Roberts
19. Tom Clancy
20. Peter Jackson
21. Dave Matthews Band
22. Ben Affleck
23. Jennifer Aniston
24. Jerry Bruckheimer
25. Eminem and Dr. Dre

Disciple--David Bowie is not even in the top 100 celebrity list.

[Disciple]

Ignore the Bowie mention, it's just me messing around.

[Serena]

Originally Posted by Disciple

......Still, out of all the really super rich people out there, the one who I admire most and who I'd most want to be like would be Richard Branson (of the "Virgin" company). He just seems like a nice, together guy, with a lot of value in the services he provides from airlines to record stores, and does good things with his life with an adventurous spirit....

I happened to catch Richard Branson one night a few months ago ago on PBS Nightly Business as I was flicking. I didn't know who he was at first, but his presence, his demeanor made me stop flicking long enough to realize, and I watched the rest of the interview with interest. He came across as a down-to-earn, no-nonsense sort, not trying to impress anyone. Very at ease with the interview. He was quite personable, very intelligent and made a very interesting guest.

[Jalu]

The richest man is not one who has lots of material possesions but the one who needs them least.