wahyinghung
03-11-2009, 07:42 PM
The financial crisis is taking its toll on the world's richest people, wiping 332 names off Forbes magazine's "rich list" of world billionaires.
Just 793 people can now lay claim to a place on the list, but on average they have lost 23% of their wealth.
The stock market collapse helped Microsoft founder Bill Gates regain the top spot, despite his wealth declining $18bn (£13.06bn) to $40bn.
He ousted investor Warren Buffet, whose fortune declined by $25bn to $37bn.
In 2008, Mr Buffet had managed to end Bill Gates' 13-year reign at the top as shares in his firm Berkshire Hathaway surged to a record of $150,000 per share just before Forbes formulated its 2008 ultra-rich list.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7938227.stm
Video: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7938761.stm
Just 793 people can now lay claim to a place on the list, but on average they have lost 23% of their wealth.
The stock market collapse helped Microsoft founder Bill Gates regain the top spot, despite his wealth declining $18bn (£13.06bn) to $40bn.
He ousted investor Warren Buffet, whose fortune declined by $25bn to $37bn.
In 2008, Mr Buffet had managed to end Bill Gates' 13-year reign at the top as shares in his firm Berkshire Hathaway surged to a record of $150,000 per share just before Forbes formulated its 2008 ultra-rich list.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7938227.stm
Video: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7938761.stm