WASHINGTON – Forbes is out with its annual rich list, and there are a record number of billionaires now walking the earth.
The round-up of world billionaires, released Wednesday for the 25th year, includes more than 1,200 people worth $4.6 trillion collectively.
Eleven of the top 20 billionaires are from the United States, including Warren Buffet, Bill Gates and Michael Bloomberg. Brothers Charles and David Koch tied for 12th place, with a net worth of $25 billion each.
Who tops the list? Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim Helu, despite a $5 billion decrease in his fortune. It’s the third time he’s topped the list.
Retail companies dominated the Top 10, including Louis Vuitton, Zara and H&M. Bernard Arnault, the French chairman of luxury retailer Louis Vuitton, is fourth on the list. According to Forbes, he saw an uptick in profits after his company acquired and integrated Bulgari, a high-end jewelry and luxury goods store.
Jim and Alice Walton, the siblings who inherited part of Wal-Mart from Sam Walton, rank 16th and 17th. The Walton family previously held five of the list’s top 20 spots. Forbes also reports that Jim Walton gave $100,000 to the Super PAC that supports Mitt Romney.
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