Source - www.Forbes.com

1. Carlos Slim Helu & family


Net Worth:  $53.5 bil
Fortune:  Self Made
Source:  telecom
Age:  70
Country Of Citizenship:  Mexico
Residence:  Mexico City
Education:  Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Bachelor of Arts / Science
Marital Status:  Widowed, 6 children

History

Telecom tycoon who pounced on privatization of Mexico's national telephone company in the 1990s becomes world's richest person for first time after coming in third place last year. Net worth up $18.5 billion in a year. Recently received regulatory approval to merge his fixed-line assets into American Movil, Latin America's biggest mobile phone company. His construction conglomerate, Impulsora del Desarrollo y el Empleo, builds roads and energy infrastructure. Son of a Lebanese immigrant also owns stakes in financial group Inbursa, Bronco Drilling, Independent News & Media, Saks and New York Times Co. Newspaper outfit's stock popped in early March on talk he might buy a controlling stake; he denies the rumor. Donating $65 million to fund a research project in genomic medicine with American billionaire philanthropist Eli Broad.


2.  William Bill Gates


Net Worth: $53.0 bil
Fortune: Self Made
Source: Microsoft
Age: 54
Country Of Citizenship: United States
Residence: Medina, Washington
Education: Harvard U, Drop Out
Marital Status: Married, 3 children

Software visionary is now the world's second-richest man. Net worth still up $13 billion in a year as Microsoft shares rose 50% in 12 months, value of investment vehicle Cascade swelled. More than 60% of fortune held outside Microsoft; investments include Four Seasons hotels, Televisa, Auto Nation. Stepped down from day-to-day duties at Microsoft in 2008 to focus on philanthropy. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation dedicated to fighting hunger, improving education in America's high schools, developing vaccines against malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS

3 Warren Buffett


Net Worth: $47.0 bil
Fortune: Self Made
Source: Berkshire Hathaway
Age: 79
Country Of Citizenship: United States
Residence: Omaha, Nebraska
Education: Columbia U, Master of Science; U of Nebraska Lincoln, Bachelor of Arts / Science
Marital Status: Widowed, 3 children

America's favorite investor up $10 billion in past 12 months on surging Berkshire Hathaway shares; says U.S. has survived economic "Pearl Harbor," but warns recovery will be slow. Shrewdly invested $5 billion in Goldman Sachs and $3 billion in General Electric amid 2008 market collapse. Recently acquired railroad giant Burlington Northern Santa Fe for $26 billion. "We've put a lot of money to work during the chaos of the last two years. When it's raining gold, reach for a bucket, not a thimble." Berkshire Hathaway book value was up 19.8% to $21.8 billion in 2009. Son of Nebraska stockbroker met value investor Benjamin Graham while studying economics at Columbia. Took over textile firm Berkshire Hathaway in 1965, used company as a vehicle to invest in insurance (Geico), food (Dairy Queen), utilities (MidAmerican Energy) and recently green tech (electric-car maker BYD).


4. Mukesh Ambani



Fortune: Inherited and Growing
Source: petrochemicals, oil & gas
Age: 52
Country Of Citizenship: India
Residence: Mumbai
Education: Stanford U, Drop Out; U Bombay, Bachelor of Arts / Science
Marital Status: Married, 3 children

Global ambitions: His Reliance Industries, already India's most valuable company, recently bid $2 billion for 65% stake in troubled Canadian oil sands outfit Value Creation. Firm's $14.5 billion offer to buy bankrupt petrochemicals maker LyondellBasell was rejected. Since September company has sold treasury shares worth $2 billion to be used for acquisitions. Late father, Dhirubhai, founded Reliance and built it into a massive conglomerate. After he died, Mukesh and his brother, Anil, ran the family business together for a brief time. But siblings feuded over control; mother eventually brokered split of assets, with Mukesh getting oil and gas and petrochemicals businesses. Still at odds with Anil over gas supply agreement; awaiting Supreme Court's final ruling. Has yet to move out of the family's high-rise, which he shares with his brother, into his new 27-story home in downtown Mumbai. Owns cricket team Mumbai Indians.


5. Lakshmi Mittal



Net Worth: $28.7 bil
Fortune: Inherited and Growing
Source: steel
Age: 59
Country Of Citizenship: India
Residence: London
Education: St Xavier C Calcutta, Bachelor of Arts / Science
Marital Status: Married, 2 children

London's richest resident oversees ArcelorMittal, world's largest steelmaker. Net profits fell 75% in 2009. Mittal took 12% pay cut amid slump but improved outlook pushed stock up a third in past year. Looking to expand in his native India; wants to build steel mills in Jharkhad and Orissa but has not received government approval. Started in family steel business in India in 1970s; branched out on his own in 1994. Initially bought up steel mills on the cheap in Eastern Europe. Earned $1.1 billion for selling his interest in a Kazakh refinery in December. Sits on the boards of Goldman Sachs, EADS. Upped stake in struggling British soccer team QPR in February. Funding 400-foot sculpture to be built in London's Olympic Park in time for 2012 Olympics. Owns 12-bedroom mansion in London's posh Kensington neighborhood. Daughter-in-law Megha recently bought insolvent German fashion house Escada.