Who is the richest person on Earth as of 2016?

Forbes, an American business magazine, provides a list of the richest individuals on the planet every year. The list is traditionally published in March. Material wealth of each participant is estimated and presented in US dollars. The list includes all the wealthiest people of the world, besides royalty and dictators, as their wealth arises from their positions. A large team of people is employed every year to compose the list. For example, more than 50 people (reporters) interview the participants and collect essential information.

In 2016 reshuffling starts at the top. Only 2 people in the top 20 managed to hold onto their ranks. Bill Gates remains the richest person in the world with a net worth of $75 billion, despite being $4.2 billion poorer than a year ago. He has been No. 1 one for 3 years in a row and topped the list 17 out of 22 years.

More Info: www.forbes.com

Test your knowledge

What are your thoughts on this subject?

76 Comments

wbgaither

Bil Gates does contribute to many causes.

Bryon Hokanson

You must not keep up with the news. Him and his wife contribute to so many worthy causes he stepped down from his position with Microsoft to do so.

Barbara Clark Revis

He does contribute to many needful causes...what you are worth and what you actually have control over to spend are 2 different situations...

Myrna Grant-Freireich

It's Carlos Slim not Sim

William Laughlin

hpompura, Do your homework before criticizing people. Your statement proves how little you know about Gates' altruism. Gates is not only the richest man in the world, but he's also the most generous. Since 1999, Gates and his wife have helmed the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, one of the most powerful charities in the world. The foundation — which controls an endowment of more than $40 billion — aims to lift millions of people out of poverty, with a heavy focus on eliminating HIV, malaria, and other infectious diseases. The couple is also working on a plan to bring mobile banking to the 2 billion adults who don't have a bank account. Plus, Gates recently invested alongside Jeff Bezos in Grail, the company that's creating a blood test to detect every form of cancer. He's also cofounder of the Giving Pledge, which he launched in 2010 with good friend and fellow billionaire Warren Buffett as a promise to donate 50% or more of their fortunes. The Giving Pledge now counts Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk among its 137 members. Isn't that enough for you?

Dave Wayne

Miss Heidi, Whom are YOU to tell others what they should do with their money?? YIKES!!..GOD BLESS AMERICA!!...<><

Shelly

In 2016 it actually was Jeff Bezos of Amazon with $108.9 billion THEN Bill Gates with $91.9 billion.

Yevette Allen

Missed it, I thought it was Warren

Tim Moore

Not according to Google...it was Warren Buffett

Juniperbrenda

He and his wife are very philanthropic. They hope to use their billions to improve the world. So glad we have rich people who think like that! : )

Haunui Royal

You have to give it to Bill and Melinda Gates. Instead of sitting around on their super yachts they have made a significant contribution to solving many of the worlds problems like third world debt and increasing food production. Up until 2017 the Gates foundation had contributed over 45 billion dollars in grants.