Top 10 Richest Billionaires in the World 2012

"People are the master of their own fate”. The people who put all their efforts in making their lives worthy achieve unreachable heights. They earn not only wealth but also fame throughout the lengths and breadths of the world. These billionaires are not just money minded but also help the society in fighting against prevailing evils. The list of billionaires changes every year. Many magazines annually publish the list of top billionaires. Following is the latest list of top ten billionaires in the world according to Forbes based on the value of the wealth and assets owned by them.

10. Karl Albrecht

Karl Albrecht born on February 20, 1920 (now aged 92) is the oldest billionaire in the list of top 20. He is a German business magnate who is ranked as the richest person in Germany and the tenth richest person in the world. He has an estimated wealth of 25.4 billion US dollars. He pursues great interest in Golf and owns a personal golf course named as Oschberghof. He is the founder of a chain of discount supermarkets “Aldi” in partnership with his brother Theo.

9. Li ka Shing

Li ka Shing was born on June 13, 1928 ( now aged 83 ) in China. He is a Hong Kong businessman with an estimated net worth US$ 25.5 billion. He is ranked as the richest person in the Asia and ninth richest in the world. He is presently the chairman of Hutchison Whampoa Limited (HWL) and Cheung Kong Holdings. Both these companies operate with container terminals and health and beauty products. He was awarded with “Malcolm S. Forbes Lifetime Achievement Award” by the Forbes Magazine. His philanthropic interests lead to the foundation of Shantou University near his hometown.

8. Stefan Persson

Steffan Persson, a Swedish business magnate was born on October 4, 1947. He is presently the chairman and main shareholder of the fashion company H&M. He is the richest man in Sweden and eighth richest in the world, acquiring a wealth worth US$ 26 billion. He is a stakeholder in Hexagon, a Swedish company and other private properties in London, Paris and Stockholm. He supports Djurgardenas IF and also funds for a foundation for the club. He is also the owner of Linkenholt, a small English village.

7. Eike Batista

Eike Batista, a Brazilian businessman was born on November 3, 1956. He is the Chairman of Brazilian EBX Group and basically deals with mining and oil and gas exploration. He is ranked as the richest person in South America and the seventh richest in the world. His affluence acquisition is estimated to be 30  billion US dollars. He is quoted as an example of “self-made man” who is known for “generating wealth from scratch”. The EBX group is  listed with five companies that trade on BOVESPA’s Novo Mercado namely OGX for oil and gas, MPX for energy, LLX for logistics, MMX for mining, and OSX for offshore services and equipment.

6. Lawrence Ellison

Lawrence Joseph Larry Ellison, owner of 36 billion US dollars is the 6^th richest man in the world. He was born on August 17, 1944 in the city of Bronx, New York and is the Chief executive and co-founder of Oracle Corporation, which is one of the world’s leading Software Company. He is also a stakeholder in companies like NetSuite, Quark Biotechnology, Astex Pharmaceuticals. He was ranked as the richest Californian by Forbes in the year 2006. He was a professional tennis player in his early life, he also owns “rising sun”, the 5th largest yacht in the world. He has also made some notable charity donations.

5. Amancio Ortega

The founding chairman of Spanish clothing company Inditex, Amancio Ortega is the 5^th wealthiest man in the world with the assets valuing $ 37.5 billion. Born on March 28, 1936 (aged 76 now) Ortega is a low profile, down to earth man who is actively involved in the production and designing processes in his company.  He also avoided public appearances most of the times. His home company manufactures brands like Zara, Tempe, Kiddy’s Class and Oysho. Books like Amancio Ortega: DE CERO A ZARA (From Zero to Zara) have been written featuring Amancio’s life. During his retirement he asked his CEO and Vice president Pablo Isla to step on to his place.

4. Bernard Arnault

Bernard Jeanne Etienne Arnault is the richest man in the Europe and the fourth richest man in the world. He is a French businessman who holds a deep interest in the art collection. He has been awarded with the title of “Fashion Person of 2011” by the Forbes. The sole proprietor of $ 41 billion was born on March 5, 1949 in Roubaix. He is the CEO of Financière Agache, a luxury goods company. He owns a partnership in Lazard Freres & Co. He also owns the title of Commander of French Legion of Honor.

3. Warren Buffett

Warren Edward Buffet, born on August 30, 1930 is an American entrepreneur. He is the main shareholder, CEO and chairman of Berkshire Hathaway. Time nominated Buffett as one of the most influential people in the world. He owns titles like “Wizard of Omaha”, “Oracle of Omaha”, or the “Sage of Omaha”. His philanthropic causes are supported via Gates Foundation. He was also awarded “Presidential Medal of Freedom” by president Barrack Obama. He owns a wealth worth 47 billion US dollars. His great philanthropist interest was shown when he donated 83% of his wealth to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation making it the largest charitable donation so far. He has also won the race against stage I prostate Cancer.

2. Bill Gates

William Henry Gates III, popularly known as Bill Gates is the second richest man in the world. He was born on October 28, 1955 (aged 56 now) in Seattle, Washington. He is also a dropped out student from Harward University. He is presently the Co-founder and Chairman of Microsoft, Co-Chair of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, CEO of Cascade Investment and also the Chairman of Corbis. He owns a wealth of 66 billion US dollars. In the initial phase of his life, he was an active software developer and a sound programmer. He also shares his interest in the field of philanthropy which is selflessly carried out by his own “Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation”.

1. Carlos Slim

The richest man in the world in the year 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2012, Carlos Slim was born on January 28, 1940 ( aged 72 now ) in the city of Mexico. He is the chairman and CEO of Telmex, America Movil and Grupo Carso. He owns a wealth worth US $ 69 billion.  His areas of interest include communication, finance, technology and retailing. Carlos Slim, a philanthropist, owns a philanthropic foundation named Fundacion Telmex, due to which he was awarded with the The National Order of Cedar by the Lebanese Government in the year 2008. He was also awarded with the title of “the gold patron” by the American Academy of Achievement.