BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The economy may be down, but the wealth of America’s richest is up by 12 percent, to nearly $1.53 trillion, Forbes magazine said this week in unveiling its list of the 400 wealthiest people in the country.
Topping the list for the 18th year in a row is Microsoft founder Bill Gates. But there are some changes in the top 20, as younger technology entrepreneurs like Facebook’s Mark Zuckerburg watch their fortunes grow.
Here’s the breakdown of the 20 richest people in the country, according to Forbes. Click here for Forbes' full list.
No. 1: Bill Gates
Net worth: $59 billion
Age: 55
Residence: Medina, Wash.
Source: Microsoft
No. 2: Warren Buffett
Net worth: $39 billion
Age: 81
Residence: Omaha, Neb.
Source: Berkshire Hathaway
No. 3: Larry Ellison
Net worth: $33 billion
Age: 67
Residence: Woodside, Calif.
Source: Oracle
No. 4 (tie): Charles Koch
Net worth: $25 billion
Age: 75
Residence: Wichita, Kan.
Source: diversified
No. 4 (tie): David Koch
Net worth: $25 billion
Age: 71
Residence: New York
Source: diversified
No. 6: Christy Walton
Net worth: $24.5 billion
Age: 56
Residence: Jackson, Wy.
Source: Wal-Mart
No. 7: George Soros
Net worth: $22 billion
Age: 81
Residence: Katonah, N.Y.
Source: hedge funds
No. 8: Sheldon Adelson
Net worth: $21.5 billion
Age: 78
Residence: Las Vegas, Nev.
Source: casinos
No. 9: Jim Walton
Net worth: $21.1 billion
Age: 63
Residence: Bentonville, Ark.
Source: Wal-Mart
No. 10: Alice Walton
Net worth: $20.9 billion
Age: 61
Residence: Fort Worth, Texas
Source: Wal-Mart
No. 11: S. Robson Walton
Net worth: $20.5 billion
Age: 67
Residence: Bentonville, Ark.
Source: Wal-Mart
No. 12: Michael Bloomberg
Net worth: $19.5 billion
Age: 69
Residence: New York
Source: Bloomberg LP
No. 13: Jeff Bezos
Net worth: $19.1 billion
Age: 47
Residence: Seattle, Wash.
Source: Amazon.com
No. 14: Mark Zuckerberg
Net worth: $17.5 billion
Age: 27
Residence: Palo Alto, Calif.
Source: Facebook
No. 15: Sergey Brin
Net worth: $16.7 bill
Age: 38
Residence: Los Altos, Calif.
Source: Google
No. 16: Larry Page
Net worth: $16.7 billion
Age: 38
Residence: Palo Alto, Calif.
Source: Google
No. 17: John Paulson
Net worth: $15.5 billion
Age: 55
Residence: New York
Source: hedge funds
No. 18: Michael Dell
Net worth: $15 billion
Age: 46
Residence: Austin, Texas
Source: Dell
No. 19: Steve Ballmer
Net worth: $13.9 billion
Age: 55
Residence: Hunts Point, Wash.
Source: Microsoft
No. 20 (tie): Forrest Mars
Net worth: $13.8 billion
Age: 80
Residence: Big Horn, Wy.
Source: candy
No. 20 (tie): Jacqueline Mars
Net worth: $13.8 billion
Age: 71
Residence: The Plains, Va.
Source: candy
No. 20 (tie): John Mars
Net worth: $13.8 billion
Age: 75
Residence: Jackson, Wy.
Source: candy, pet food
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