2009 "Forbes" list of the world's billionaires

The Forbes billionaires list is the most comprehensive list of the worlds wealthiest people, profiling and ranking billionaire and multi-millionaire individuals from all over the world. The 2009 list featured 1125 individuals from all corners of the world, who together accumulated a total net worth of $4.4 trillion.

The list is compiled annually by Forbes, the American business magazine. The list is based on an estimate of the individuals net worth, based on a complete and rigorous evaluation of the individuals assets, including stocks, cash, property, and other sources of wealth, with any debt subtracted. Forbes would use sources such as financial institutions and lawyers, as well as tax and property records, to uncover the data.

The list of 2009 Forbes billionaires was headed by Mexican Carlos Slim Helu, whose estimated wealth of $53.5 billion was more than double the wealth of the second-place billionaire and fellow Mexican, telecommunications magnate, Domenico Berlusconi.

Russia produced the highest number of billionaires, with 79, following closely by the United States with 70. The United Kingdom came third, with 45 billionaires and India fourth, with 31 billionaires.

Celebrity and media magnate Oprah Winfrey was the first woman on the list in 2009, and ranked number 421. New York mayor Michael Bloomberg was the wealthiest man in the United States, and held the eighth spot worldwide.

Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, who is worth an estimated $10 billion, was the biggest gainer in the top 10, with his wealth increasing by $4.8 billion during the year, even despite the economic recession felt worldwide. India was the biggest gainer of new billionaires, adding ten to the list (surely bolstered by its booming stock market) while the US and Russia each saw six new billionaires.

In descending order, the top 20 wealthiest people in the world in 2009 were:

1. Carlos Slim Helu (Mexico) — $53.5 billion

2. Domenico Berlusconi (Italy) — $13.4 billion

3. Lawrence Ellison (United States) — $22.5 billion

4. Bernard Arnault (France) — $21.5 billion

5. Bill Gates (United States) — $21.0 billion

6. Mukesh Ambani (India) — $19.5 billion

7. Lakshmi Mittal (India) — $19.3 billion

8. Michael Bloomberg (United States) — $18.4 billion

9. Karl Albrecht (Germany) — $18.4 billion

10. Ingvar Kamprad (Sweden) — $28.5 billion

11. Christy Walton & Family (United States) — $14.8 billion

12. Vladimir Lisin (Russia) — $13.8 billion

13. Lui Chee Woo (Hong Kong) — $13.7 billion

14. Alexei Mordashov (Russia) — $13.7 billion

15. Sai Wong Ki (Hong Kong) — $13.7 billion

16. Roman Abromavich (Russia) — $13.3 billion

17. Sheldon Adelson (United States) — $13.3 billion

18. Liliane Bettencourt (France) — $12.6 billion

19. Oleg Deripaska (Russia) — $13.2 billion

20. Alisher Usmanov (Russia) — $12.4 billion

The 2009 Forbes list of the worlds wealthiest is out, and its no surprise that some familiar names topped the list.

Microsofts Bill Gates came in first place with an estimated net worth of $40 billion. Investor Warren Buffet was a close second, with an estimated net worth of $37 billion. Mexican business magnate, Carlos Slim Helú took third place with $35 billion.

Known for his self-made fortune, Oracle founder Larry Ellison came in fourth with $22.5 billion, and steel mogul Lakshmi Mittal rounded out the top five with $19.3 billion.

Following behind was Ingvar Kamprad at sixth place with $33 billion, Amancio Ortega at seventh with $25.5 billion and New York investing giant, George Soros at eighth with $22 billion.

Further down the list were Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Alsaud from Saudi Arabia, with a net worth of $21.5 billion, and the Koch brothers at number 10 with a combined net worth of $20.5 billion.

Tying for 11th place was Michael Dell of Dell, Inc. and Telecom mogul, Mikhail Fridman of Alfa Group, each with $18 billion. Technology and media mogul, Sergey Brin and Larry Page of Google were tied at number 13 with a combined net worth of $17.7 billion.

Knighted in 1995, Elon Musk, a South African-born American entrepreneur, was tied with Charles Koch of Koch Industries in 16th place with $15 billion.

Although these 18 individuals outranked everyone else, 168 people from around the world shared the 20th place with a net worth of $6 billion.

The wealth of these power players and moguls combined equals about 2.4 trillion dollars. Even with the present global financial crisis, these individuals have held on to their fortunes, proving that these men are some of the wealthiest and most powerful in the world.