Matthew Kim, Entertainment Writer
There are many rich people around the world. Some are millionaires and even billionaires. But did you know that the wealthiest 1% in the world (who are billionaires themselves) have as much or maybe more money than the rest of the world? That’s something to think about. Of that 1% in the world, here is the top ten wealthiest people in the world up-to-date for 2016.
- Liliane Bettencourt (age 93)
Coming in at number ten is Liliane Bettencourt. With an estimated net worth of $40.1 billion, her main source of wealth is from the popular cosmetic brand, L’Oréal. She is known as the richest person in her home country, France.
- Jim Walton (age 66)
Coming in at number nine is Jim Walton. With an estimated net worth of $40.6 billion, his main source of wealth is from the popular department store, Walmart. Being the youngest son of the real founder of Walmart, Sam Walton, he and Sam Walton’s other heir owned 51% of Walmart’s stock through two other companies: Walton Enterprises and Walton Family Holdings Trust. Jim Walton is also the chairman and CEO of Arvest Bank, a family-founded bank with estimated net profits of nearly $105 million.
- Christy Walton (age 67)
Coming in at number nine is Christy Walton. With an estimated net worth of $41.7 billion, her main source of wealth is from the same place as her husband’s, John Walton. Since John Walton owned a part of Walmart, when he died in a tragic airplane crash as a war medic in Vietnam, Christy Walton inherited the fortune he made through the popular retailer. Although she owns only 11% stake in the company, she also gained fortune from another company her husband invested in, First Solar INC.
- Charles and David Koch (age 80 and 75 respectively)
With a tie for 6th place, we have Koch brothers Charles and David. With an estimated net worth of $42.9 billion each, although their sources of wealth are diversified, their main source is from Koch Industries. Although Charles steers the company as the chairman, both Charles and David own the majority of the business. The company has been around for quite some time and the company is said to be worth around $50 million.
- Larry Ellison (age 71)
Coming in at number five is Larry Ellison. With an estimated net worth of $54.3 billion, his main source of wealth is from the computer technology corporation, Oracle. Although Ellison has a huge net worth, he has given 1% of his money to charity and even signed The Giving Pledge (a campaign to encourage the wealthier of the world to give their wealth for philanthropic causes).
- Amancio Ortega (age 79)
Coming in at number four is Amancio Ortega. With an estimated net worth of $64.5 billion, his main source of wealth is from the Spanish clothing and accessories company, Zara. Ortega was able to pull his clothing company through the Spanish financial crisis. He is most known as the world’s richest retailer.
- Warren Buffett (age 85)
Coming in at number three is Warren Buffett. With an estimated net worth of $72.7 billion, his main source of wealth is from Berkshire Hathaway INC. Berkshire Hathaway INC owns many companies like Geico, Dairy Queen and Fruit of the Loom, becoming the fourth most valuable public in the U.S. Being also a notable philanthropist, he has pledge to give away 99% of his fortune for philanthropic causes, mainly through the Gates Foundation. He and Bill Gates have also founded The Giving Pledge in which they encourages others to do the same.
- Carlos Slim Helu (age 76)
Coming in at number two is Carlos Slim Helu. With an estimated net worth of $77.1 billion, his main source of wealth is from telecoms and especially from his conglomerate company, Grupo Carso. Being known as the “Warren Buffett of Mexico”, he devoted around $4 billion (5% of his fortune) to his own foundation, the Carlos Slim Foundation. He also funded for a genomic medicine research project and even founded three non-profit foundations in Mexico City (an arts, education and health care foundation, a sports foundation and a downtown restoration foundation).
- Bill Gates (age 60)
Coming in at the top position is Bill Gates. With an outstanding net worth of around $79.2 billion, his main source of wealth is from the popular technology company, Microsoft. Bill Gates has earned the top spot as the wealthiest person on Earth in many years and not only is he known for his success in the company Microsoft, he is also known for the amount of money he gives to charity. The Gates Foundation became the largest private foundation in the world. The foundation aimed to enhance healthcare and reduce extreme poverty, in which he and his wife have donated an estimated $28 billion to. He and his wife stated that this wasn’t the end to their giving and they have pledged to donate a total of 95% of their fortune for charity.
Of course having billions of money of net worth like Bill Gates and Carlos Slim is pretty awesome, but it’s worth remembering that what makes a good person is how much good they do. Work hard, make a fortune and become successful. But always find ways to help those who are less fortunate around you.
