The Microsoft MSFT +1.99% co-founder has a personal pile of $72.7
billion, enough to overtake the Mexican telecoms tycoon and grab the
top spot for the first time since 2007.
Gates has seen his fortune ramp up by $10 billion in the past year,
according to the list. The 57-year-old former Microsoft CEO owns about
5.2% of the software maker, whose shares hit a five-year high on
Thursday, the same day the billionaires index was updated.
The reviving stock, up 27% this year, has not been the only shot in the
arm for the uber-nerd-turned-philanthropist. His private Cascade
Investment holdings stand at $38.6 billion, boosted by rallies in
companies like the Canadian National Railway Co. CA:CNR +2.17%
But for Gates to succeed, it wasn’t enough for him to do well – Slim
also had to take a hit. He holds 44% of America Movil, recently
targeted by a Mexican bill aimed at breaking up its dominance in mobile
and landline phone service. Not surprisingly, Bloomberg estimates that
his wealth has fallen by $3.1 billion in the past year, to dip to $72.1
billion.
In faint-but-pursuing third, as before, is Oracle of Omaha Warren
Buffett, with $59.6 billion, most of it from his stake in Berkshire
Hathaway BRKA +1.23% . Fourth is Amancio Ortega ($56 billion), of
fashion retail chain Zara, and fifth is Ikea owner and Sweden’s richest
man Ingvar Kamprad.
Despite the switcheroo, Slim’s not far behind the Microsoft maven. He
can also console himself with his ranking on the rival Forbes
billionaires list, which in March put Slim on top with $73 billion.
What’s a few hundred million between friends?
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