The 10 richest people in the world are a mixture of many different business types, from several different countries. Each person on the list has their own unique story on how they got to where they are today.
10 Richest People in the World-#1
Bill Gates–Net Worth-$40.0 Billion
Bill Gates, founded Microsoft with Paul Allen in April, 1975. He has held the positions of CEO, chief software architect, and is the current chairman of Microsoft. Gates now devotes most of his time to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This foundation strives to help enhance healthcare, reduce poverty, expand educational opportunities, and increase access to information technology. Time magazine included Bill Gates in their list of the 100 people who most influenced the 20th century.
10 Richest People in the World-#2
Warren Buffett–Net Worth-$37.0 Billion
Warren Buffett is a self-made billionaire. He has made his fortune as a very successful investor. Buffett is the largest shareholder and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, a conglomerate holding company. Buffett was named on Time magazine’s list of 100 most influential people in 2007.
10 Richest People in the World-#3
Carlos Slim Helú –Net Worth-$35.0 Billion
Carlos Slim Helú is Latin America’s wealthiest man. He is a Mexican engineer and businessman. Carlos Slim Helú bought Telefonos de Mexico (Telmex) in 1990. He currently controls the companies Teléfonos de México (Telmex), Telcel and América Móvil. Today he controls 90 percent of Mexico’s telephone landlines.
10 Richest People in the World-#4
Lawrence Ellison–Net Worth-$22.5 Billion
Lawrence Ellison is the co-founder and CEO of Oracle Corporation. He studied physics at the University of Chicago, but never graduated. Ellison currently owns over 22 percent of Oracle Corporation.
10 Richest People in the World-#5
Ingvar Kamprad–Net Worth-$22.0 Billion
Ingvar Kamprad is the founder of the home furnishing chain IKEA. He began his business career as a young boy selling matches. This Swedish entrepreneur is the wealthiest man in Europe.
10 Richest People in the World-#6
Karl Albrecht–Net Worth-$21.5 Billion
Karl Albrecht founded the supermarket chain Aldi with his brother Theo. The brothers split ownership of Aldi in 1961, Karl Albrecht retained control of the stores in southern Germany. He also attained the rights to the brand in the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Albrecht is the richest man in Germany.
10 Richest People in the World-#7
Mukesh Ambani–Net Worth-$19.5 Billion
Mukesh Ambani, the wealthiest Indian man in the world, is a businessman and engineer. He is the managing and chairman of the Fortune 500 company, Reliance Industries. Mukesh Ambani is the largest shareholder, and has a personal stake in Reliance Industries of 48 percent.
10 Richest People in the World-#8
Lakshmi Mittal–Net Worth-$19.3 Billion
Lakshmi Mittal is the wealthiest man in the United Kingdom. He joined the family steel business in the 70s. In 1994 he went out on his own buying up cheap steel mills. Lakshmi Mittal now owns pieces of Mumbai’s Indiabulls Group, and London’s RAB Capital. He owns stake in and also sits on the board of Goldman Sachs.
10 Richest People in the World-#9
Theo Albrecht–Net Worth-$18.8 Billion
Theo Albrecht founded the supermarket chain Aldi with his brother Karl. The brothers split ownership of Aldi in 1961, Theo Albrecht retained control of the stores in northern Germany and the rest of Europe. Unable to expand the Aldi stores to the United States, Theo Albrecht developed discount food store Trader Joe’s. There are over 320 Trader Joe’s stores currently in the United States. He was kidnapped for 17 days in 1971. A $3 million dollar ransom was paid for him to be released.
10 Richest People in the World-#10
Amancio Ortega–Net Worth-$18.3 Billion
Amancio Ortega is Spain’s wealthiest man. He started his career as a gofer for several shirt stores. In 1974, he and his ex-wife, Rosalía Mera, founded the fashion corporation, Inditex Group. Ortega is a private man that keeps a very low profile.
