Humanity has always loved money and did not matter what it was made of: shells, metal or paper. Money is not only the key to a secure and comfortable life, but also a symbol of prosperity, power and success. In the modern world, the rich are very popular, films are made about them, books are written, and journalists do not give them access. And the more money a person has, the more attention his person attracts. People are interested in his personal life, family, habits and the way in which people earned their money. We present you a list of the top 10 the richest people in the world in 2015.
10. Liliane Bettancourt | $ 30 billion
Our list begins with a woman who in 1957 became a co-owner of the French company L’Oreal. In the past, a well-known socialite, in 2011 she was declared legally incompetent due to Alzheimer's disease. Her condition is 30 billion American dollars, and she is considered the richest woman in Europe.
This year, the Bettancourt family was able to buy back another 8% of the shares of L’Oreal, which back in 1907 was founded by Lilian's father, Eugene Schueller.
9. Jim Walton | $ 40.6 billion
This is an American billionaire, the son of the famous Sam Walton, who created Wal-Mart. The son continued the work of his father. His condition is estimated at an astronomical sum, 40.6 billion dollars. He takes the ninth line of our “hit parade” of the richest people in the world.
This global network was heavily criticized last year for the low pay it pays to its employees. In early 2015, Wal-Mart announced an increase in minimum wages.
Jim Walton also runs a family bank.
8. Christy Walton | $ 41.7 billion
Under the eighth number in our list of the richest people on the planet is another woman who also received her fortune through the Wal-Mart distribution network. Her late husband, Sam Walton, created this distribution network and, after his death in 2005, Christy Walton became a very wealthy widow. She prudently invested in the production of First Solar's solar panels. Today her condition is 41.7 billion dollars.
At the same time, Christie does not like to appear in public. Over the year, Christie became richer by $ 5 billion.
7. David Koch | $ 42.9 billion
Another US citizen who has a fortune at 42.9 billion dollars. Over the year, Koch managed to become 2.9 billion richer. David Koch, along with his brother, owns the Koch Industries holding company, which is engaged in many fields of activity. Among them are oil refining, pipeline construction, logistics, the production of paints and varnishes and the manufacture of building materials.
David Koch is actively involved in politics: he is called one of the main sponsors of the American Republican Party. In addition, he spends a lot of money on charity projects.
6. Charles Koch | $ 42.9 billion
Under the sixth number in our list of the richest people is another representative of the Koch family - Charles Koch. The family business allowed him to become the owner of a fortune in 42.9 billion dollars for 2015. It is Charles who runs the family business and does it very successfully. He led the Koch Industries holding in 1967 and managed to turn his largest US company. He is considered one of the most influential people in American business and politics. The brothers are constantly expanding their own business, acquiring new assets.
5. Lawrence Alison | $ 54.3 billion
Another US representative on our list of the world's richest billionaires. Alison, a native of Silicon Valley, thanks to his intelligence and talent, was able to create the largest company Oracle and become the owner of a fortune in 54.3 billion dollars. Alison began his career as a simple programmer, worked for the CIA, and then went into business.
In 2014, Alison stepped down as CEO of Oracle Corporation and became director of technology development. He is a fan of sailing, actively buying real estate. His daughter, Megan, is a highly successful film producer and has already shot several films in Hollywood.
4. Amancio Ortega | 64.5 billion
In fourth place is a billionaire of Spanish descent, who was born in a very poor family, but managed to become one of the richest people on the planet. Amancio Ortega grew up in the family of a simple railway worker, and now he is called one of the best traders in the world. His condition is 64.5 billion dollars. Ortega is the founder of the Zara brand.
He began to sew clothes with his wife right in his own apartment. At the moment, his company's stores can be found in dozens of countries around the world. Zara quite easily survived the crisis of 2009, and over the past year Ortega was able to earn $ 0.5 billion. The company has a very strict investment policy and spends relatively few funds on advertising. Ortega personally controls his empire. In recent years, the billionaire has been actively investing in the purchase of luxury real estate in different parts of the world. Zara is one of the most successful companies in Spain and throughout Europe.
3. Warren Buffett | 72.7 billion
Another billionaire is from the United States. His condition is 72.7 billion dollars. Over the past year, Buffett has become richer by another 14.5 billion dollars. 2014 was a very successful year for Buffet, but even the record amount he earned was not enough to return to second place in our ranking of the richest people on the planet.
Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett's financial empire, controls many companies in various sectors of the economy: energy, transportation, construction and many others. Shares of the company are among the most expensive on the American stock exchange. Despite his advanced age, Buffett is actively engaged in the affairs of the company, at the end of last year Berkshire Hathaway bought back the shares of the world famous battery manufacturer Duracell.
Buffett has a reputation as a generous philanthropist and philanthropist. Every year he spends billions of dollars on charity. The total amount of his donations is 23 billion dollars.
2. Carlos Slim Elu | 77.1 billion
In second place of our hit parade of the richest people on the planet is Mexican businessman Carlos Slim Elu, who has a fortune 77.1 billion dollars. This man made his fortune in telecommunications, mobile communications and financial transactions. Over the past year, Al has grown richer by another 5.1 billion dollars. His empire includes the industrial group Grupo Carso, the financial group Grupo Financiero Inbursa and the company Ideal, which is engaged in infrastructure projects.
1. Bill Gates | 79.2 billion
The creator of Microsoft, Bill Gates, tops our list. He has become the richest man on the planet for the sixteenth time in the past twenty-one years. For several years, Carlos Slim Elu lost the lead, but last year he was able to regain his leadership position. This happened largely due to successful financial policies. Gates State - 79.2 billion dollars, over the past year he has become richer by another 3.2 billion.
In recent years, Bill Gates has been investing more in a variety of assets around the world and is decreasing his stake in Microsoft. Gates is actively involved in charity work, his projects are aimed at helping the world's poorest countries, and he spends large sums on educational projects in the USA.