Ms DD Posted March 9, 2007 Billionaire club membership jumps Membership of the world's billionaire club has swelled to almost 1,000, while members' net worth has risen by 35% on last year, according to Forbes. A record 946 billionaires - worth a total of $3.5 trillion (£1.82 trillion) - now exist, up from 793 last year. Microsoft founder Bill Gates held the top spot for the 13th year in a row with a net worth of $56bn. Forbes put the increase in wealth down to surging commodity prices, real estate and strong equity markets. "In the last five years... despite all the turmoil in the world, all the conflict in the world, the global economy in real terms expanded over 25%," said Steve Forbes, the magazine's editor-in-chief. "Never in history has there been such an advance." Closing the gap But while the billionaire club's membership is growing, Mr Gates' lead appears to be diminishing as his fortune increased by a mere $2bn from last year. TOP FIVE BILLIONAIRES 2007 Bill Gates (US, Microsoft) - $56bn Warren Buffett (US, investor) - $52bn Carlos Slim (Mexico, industrialist) - $49bn Ingvar Kamprad (Sweden, Ikea) - $33bn Lakshmi Mittal (India, steel) - $32bn In second place, investment guru Warren Buffet is now worth $52bn - up from $42bn in 2006. Meanwhile, Mexican telecoms giant Carlos Slim Helu held onto third place as his wealth surge by $19bn to $49bn. And while the fortunes of the rich swelled, so did the list of countries where the wealthy came from. Forbes Billionaire list now features 53 nations, including its first billionaires from Serbia and Romania. Record year "This growth in the billionaires list is a mere reflection of a dynamic global economy. More people are better off on this Earth than ever before," Mr Forbes said. "This boom goes beyond commodities. One of the things that has facilitated this global boom, bringing hundreds of millions of people into the global economy is of course technology," he added. TOP FIVE BRITISH BILLIONAIRES Duke of Westminster (real estate) - $11bn Philip & Christina Green (retail) - $7bn Reuben Brothers (real estate) - $4.5bn Simon Halabi (real estate) - $4.3bn Richard Branson (Virgin) - $3.8bn "This is the richest year in human history." Russian oligarchs and Asian entrepreneurs were once again key themes dominating the list. Russia added 19 newcomers to the list, while Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich remained the richest Russian, with a net worth of $18.7bn. One odd quirk of the list was the fact that the UK boasts fewer billionaires than those living in London. The UK can name Harry Potter author JK Rowling, retail tycoon Philip Green and Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone among its list of 29 billionaires. But London is in fact home to 34 billionaires - with Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal topping the list with a fortune of $32bn. Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/business/6432941.stm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ms DD Posted March 9, 2007 I wonder what i can do to earn my first million. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ms DD Posted March 9, 2007 or be the treasurer of TFG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Strawberry_Xu Posted March 9, 2007 Cambarro: You could write a children's book. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
-Nomadique- Posted March 9, 2007 LOL Cambarro. Xula your right, If Madonna and Kylie can write a children's book anyone can. In any case you can look to J K Rowling for inspiration. This woman is a bazillionaire thanks to Harry Potter. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ms DD Posted March 9, 2007 Not one creative bone in my body Short of impregnated by a big-shot celebrity...i dont think i will be a millionare. Lets not lose hope though..the old oil dollars will come our way. TFG ibti is the Somali government. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
-Nomadique- Posted March 9, 2007 ^or atleast that is what they call themselves. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nehanda Posted March 9, 2007 They are probably billionaire in equity rather than cash. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ibtisam Posted March 9, 2007 ^^in that case keep away from them, they are broke *** people You would think they will pick something which has Somalia in the name. I don't know something like Somali government or Central government of Somalia, what the hell is TFG Tomaila Federal Government I suppose Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sharmarkee Posted March 9, 2007 Originally posted by ibtisam: TFG? Ibti I thought you are smarter than that! TFG = Tigrey founded Goverment.lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
-Nomadique- Posted March 9, 2007 Speaking of money im afraid to even ask what kind of credit rating Somalia has lol. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ibtisam Posted March 9, 2007 loool Sharmarkee. Nomadique me and you both Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ms DD Posted March 9, 2007 Originally posted by Nubia: They are probably billionaire in equity rather than cash. For these blokes, conversion of equity to cash is quite effortless for them. They could easily turn that equity into cash. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
