10 Richest People in the World

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For the first time since 2000, Warren Buffett is not in the top three on Forbes’ list of The World’s Billionaires.

The overall 2013 list has 1,426 names with a total net worth of $5.4 trillion, which is a 17% increase over last year’s $4.6 trillion. The U.S. has the most billionaires with 422, followed by Asia-Pacific (386) and Europe (366).

To compile net worths, the magazine values individuals’ assets — including stakes in public and private companies, real estate, yachts, art and cash — and account for debt.

For the most part, the top 10 have remained (albeit shaken up a little), but there are three new additions. Here are the 10 richest people in the world, according to Forbes.

10. Bernard Arnault and family

Net worth: $29 billion

Age: 63

Citizenship: France

Source of wealth: LVMH

Down six spots from last year, the chairman and chief executive officer of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton dropped from fourth because Forbes gained more information about his ownership stake in the company.

9. Liliane Bettencourt and family

Net worth: $30 billion

Age: 90

Citizenship: France

Source of wealth: L’Oreal

This is Bettencourt’s first time in the top 10 since 1999. Her father founded L’Oreal and the family, which owns 30%, got very rich off a boost in the company’s stock. However, Bettencourt is suffering from dementia and the family has waged numerous battles against one another.

8. Li Ka-shing

Net worth: $31 billion

Age: 84

Citizenship: Hong Kong

Source of wealth: Diversified

Asia’s richest person, Ka-shing added to his fortune with investments in companies that all increased at least 10% in 2012.

6. (tied) David Koch and Charles Koch

Net worth: $34 billion (each)

Age: 72 and 77 (respectively)

Citizenship: United States (both)

Source of wealth: Diversified

Koch Industries has an estimated $115 billion in sales and is valued at more than $20 billion. As the price of natural gas fell, surging refining and chemical profits contributed to both brothers’ fortunes.

5. Larry Ellison

Net worth: $43 billion

Age: 68

Citizenship: United States

Source of wealth: Oracle

The chief executive officer of Oracle is a self-made man, having dropped out of not one, but two universities. Shares of Oracle were up 20% year over year and Ellison went on a real estate buying spree, particularly in Hawaii where he now owns two resort hotels and a housing development.

4. Warren Buffett

Net worth: $53.5 billion

Age: 82

Citizenship: United States

Source of wealth: Berkshire Hathaway

Just last month Buffett announced he was buying ketchup producer H.J. Heinz Co. At the end of 2012, Berkshire acquired Oriental Trading Co. and the company purchased $1.2 billion of its own stock.

3. Amancio Ortega

Net worth: $57 billion

Age: 76

Citizenship: Spain

Source of wealth: Zara

With his fortune up $19.5 billion, the former chairman of Inditex, which owns the Zara brand, was the biggest gainer on the list. He owns nearly 60% of Inditex, whose shares were up 50% on record profits. His real estate portfolio is estimated to be worth more than $4 billion.

2. Bill Gates

Net worth: $67 billion

Age: 57

Citizenship: United States

Source of wealth: Microsoft

Most of his fortunate these days is spread across private equity, bonds and stocks, according to Forbes, with just a 5% stake in Microsoft. Famous for his philanthropy and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the youngest entry in the top 10 has already given more than $28 billion.

1. Carlos Slim Helu and family

Net worth: $73 billion

Age: 73

Citizenship: Mexico

Source of wealth: Telecom

For the fourth year in a row, Slim is named the world’s richest man. His most valuable asset remains America Movil, which bought pieces of a Dutch telecom company and Telekom Austria. Like close friend Bill Gates, Slim is very philanthropic: the two men will fund research to improve farmers’ yield and reduce hunger in Mexico.

Read more:

The World's Billionaires - Forbes