Not all people are born rich, and there are those who reach the pinnacle of their success because of hard work, ingenuity, and excellent decision-making skills. The following are among the top 10 richest people in the world who continue to make it big despite the tough economy.
10. Christy Walton
She is John Walton’s widow, who was the grandchild of Wal-Mart’s founder. When John died in 2005, Christy inherited his enormous fortune of over $15 billion. At present, she is the richest woman in the planet. Just two years ago, her estimated net worth was more than $26 billion, and a huge percentage of this amount comes from Christy’s shares in Wal-Mart.
9. Mukesh Ambani
This wealthy business magnate was born and raised in India. He is the existing chairman and managing director of the Reliance Industries, which is India’s largest private enterprise. About 48 percent of his personal stake is in Reliance Industries, which has regained its reputation as the country’s most recognized firm. It was able to reign supreme over the ONGC and Coal India, which are also reputable energy companies in the country.
8. Eike Batista
Eike Batista is a renowned Brazilian entrepreneur, who is also the current president of the prestigious EBX Group. In 2011, he was included in Forbes magazines top 10 list of richest people in the world. Moreover, he remains as South America’s richest man, with an estimated net worth of $30 billion. Batista was also noted by Bloomberg Markets magazine as the one and only Brazilian who is among the most influential people in the field of global finance.
7. Amancio Ortega
The ingenious Spanish fashion entrepreneur is noted as among the top 10 richest people in the world. Ortega and his former wife founded the Inditex Group, and he remains as the company’s chairman. Forbes has ranked Ortega as the richest man in Spain and second richest person in Europe. At present he resides with his second wife in a luxurious apartment building in one of Spain’s high-profile neighborhoods. Ortega owns about 59 percent of the Inditex Group that includes notable brands such as Massimo Dutti, Zara, Tempe, Zara Home, Stradivarius, and Oysho.
6. Lakshmi Mittal
Lakshmi Mittal, another Indian multi-billionaire, reaches the top 10 list of richest people in the world. He is the present chairman and CEO of the ArcelorMittal, which is the largest and most reputable steelmaking company in the world. Mittal has a personal wealth of more than $31 billion, which makes him the richest person in India, the United Kingdom and Asia. According to Forbes magazine, he is the 44th most “powerful” person in the world, and his daughter’s wedding was recorded as the most expensive in the world.
5. Lawrence Joseph Ellison
He is the co-founder and CEO of the Oracle Corporation, which is among the leading enterprise software firms in the world. In 2011, he was noted as the third richest American with a net worth of about $33 billion. In 2005, the company gave Larry over $975,000 salary and some bonuses. By 2007, he received a total income of more than $61 million, among several other bonuses and base salary.
4. Bernard Arnault
This famous business magnate of French origin is the chairman and CEO of LVMH, a reputable conglomerate in France. Shortly after the founding of the LVMH, Arnault exploited the controversial conflict between the president of Louis Vuitton and the CEO of Moet Hennessy. Eventually, the new group obtained property rights to perfumes by Dior, and Arnault eventually incorporated it to the Dior Fashion. He also established a holding company and owned 60 percent of it, which added to his enormous fortune.
3. Warren Edward Buffett
The American investor, philanthropist and business magnate is regarded as the world’s most successful investors. In fact, he was termed as the legendary investor, and he remains as the primary shareholder, CEO and chairman of the Berkshire Hathaway. In 2008, he was noted as the wealthiest person in the world, and he ranked third in 2011.
2. William Henry “Bill” Gates III
An American investor, business magnate, author and philanthropist makes his way to the second spot in the top 10 richest people in the planet. At present, Gates is the chairman of Microsoft, which is a renowned software company the he co-founded with Paul Allen. Throughout his career at this renowned company, he held positions as the chief software architect and CEO. Bill Gates has also co-authored a number of books.
1. Carlos Slim Helu
This reputable business magnate and philanthropist from Mexico is the chairman and CEO of two major telecommunications in Latin America, the America Movil and Telmex. He also has several holdings in several other companies in Mexico that add to his corporate holdings. As of 2011, his estimated net worth was $74 billion.