The world’s richest man is John D. Rockefeller if wealth is measured in terms of the national economy; however, Warren Buffet is the richest man in the world. If all the money owned by the richest men in the world was combined, it has a GDP larger than that of Germany which is the third largest economy in the world.

A common characteristic with them is that they make most of their money from investing and do not spend it unwisely. Some of them were not from rich families as it is in the case of Rockefeller who was from a poor family but through innovation grew rich.

Due to the prevailing global trends in financial matters the rich have either not gotten richer or have become poorer this year. The combined net worth of Americas rose by $30 billion, only about 2%. The rise in oil prices and art has made it possible for a come back to those that had been eliminated earlier and also for 31new ones. Unfortunately the shaking in the stock market has seen 33 billionaires leave the list of worlds richest. Critics argue that ingenuity and not industry is highly practiced by these men who make money virtually from everything from coffee, real estate to media and dumplings.

However it is still uncertain how the trend would go given the fact that stock markets have become very fragile which may see some people either get richer or poorer and hence be eliminated within a very short period of time. The ones who got rich by real estate investment are finding it hard in these perilous times.

Despite the shaking in the world markets these are men who have worked hard and live to reap the fruits of their labor and innovation.

The list of top ten richest people in the world, from highest to lowest wealth is this: Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Carlos sLine Helú, Ingvar Kamprad, Lakshmi Mittal, Paul Allen, Bernard Arnauld, Prince Al Waleed, Kenneth Thomson, and Li Ka-shing.

As we could imagine, Bill Gates tops the list with an estimated fortune of 50 billion dollars, and read well, that figure is not a typing error. As is known, his fortune was mixed in the field of computers through his company Microsoft, the largest in terms of software, and renowned for its famous operating system (Windows). Besides being a multimillionaire, Gates is recognized as a great philanthropist, with donations of more than 50% of his fortune.

Bill Gates

Second place is held by Warren Buffett (42 billion), a successful investor, primarily through his company Berkshire Hathaway, whose strength is the business of insurance. Despite his enormous wealth, Buffett is recognized as an austere person, with an allocation below the salary levels for senior executive employees. Moreover, it opposes the inheritance of large fortunes.

Warren Buffett

The next in the ranking of the richest men in the world has it Carlos Slim Helú, with an estimated fortune of 30 billion, and is considered the richest man in Latin America. The bulk of his fortune from the telecommunications company Telefonos de Mexico. He cited his father as his inspiration and the origin of their abilities in the world of business and investments.

Carlos Slim Helu

In fourth place is Ingvar Kamprad, a Swedish industrial, with a not inconsiderable 28 billion. Started selling matches on a bicycle as a child, then various items for the home at least, and in 1943 founded IKEA, a chain of home furnishings, which now has over 230 stores in 33 countries.

Ingvar Kamprad

Then, in fifth place, is Lakshmi Mittal, with 23.5 billion. From India, is the CEO of the company’s largest steel producer in the world, “Mittal Steel Company,” derived from his father’s participation in other steel producing company.

Lakshmi Mittal

The sixth in the list of the richest men in the world is held by Paul Allen (22 billion). Allen is the lesser known partner in the founding of the company Microsoft. Indeed it was he who persuaded Bill Gates to quit his studies at Harvard and go to their new business. It is also a philanthropist, contributing primarily on science and technology.

Paul Allen

In seventh place among the richest people in the world is Bernard Arnault, a French businessman, with 21.5 billion from its “rule of fashion” LVMH, which owns world-renowned brands as Christian Dior and Lois Vuitton, among others .

Bernard Arnauld

What remains on the list, Prince Al Waleed, with 20 billion dollars, member of the royal family of Saudi Arabia (also known as House of Saud). The prince is a major investor in many areas, with greater participation in Citigroup. He started in business with a loan from his father and with the mortgage on your home.

Prince Al Waleed

In ninth place is Kenneth Thomson (19.6 billion), the richest person in Canada, son of the founder of the Thomson Corporation. The company is known worldwide in the business of publishing and media, and lately it has diversified market information and electronic services.

Kenneth Thomson

The tenth and last place in the list of the richest men in the world is held by Li Ka-shing, the wealthiest man in Asia, with an estimated fortune of 18.8 billion. Its origins were humble son of a professor, but his determination and effort made possible his empire in banking, construction and property, among other markets. He is known for his attachment to traditional values, his humility and philanthropy.

Li Ka Shing