Bill Gates gained ground at the top of the mega-rich rankings as the world's wealthiest people added $400 billion to their net worth, according to Forbes magazine's latest annual list.
The number of people whose wealth reached 10 figures stood at a record 793, an increase of 102 from the previous year, with Microsoft founder Gates in first place for the 12th year in a row. His $50 billion fortune marked an increase of $3.5 billion from the 2005 Forbes list.
Four Irish men also made the list. Fermanagh based businessman Sean Quinn was 292nd in the list with a fortune of $2.5 billion. He shares that spot with John Dorrance III who lives in Dublin. Independent News and Media Chairman Tony O'Reilly comes 562nd in the list with $1.4 billion while financier Dermot Desmond, who has a fortune of $1 billion, comes 746th.
The magazine said strong markets around the world contributed to the surge in wealth, as the total net worth of the list jumped to $2.6 trillion - more than the annual GDP of Germany. The number of billionaires had grown by more than 300 in the past three years.
While US names accounted for nearly half the fortunes on the roster, this year's ranking was notable for the influx of newcomers from Brazil, India, Russia and other emerging economies. Oil baron and Chelsea football club owner Roman Abramovich jumped 10 places to 11th in the global ranking with a nest egg of $18.2 billion.
The summit of the cash mountain had a familiar look with Gates followed by investment wizard and perennial runner-up, Warren Buffett, with a $42 billion fortune. Buffett's pile has fallen by $2 billion, however. Mexican telecom magnate Carlos Slim jumped a place to third with $30 billion, while Ikea founder Ingvar Kamprad of Sweden moved up two spots to fourth with $28 billion.
Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal dropped two places to fifth with $23.5 billion - down $1.5 billion. Newcomers to the top 10 chart included the French luxury retailer Bernard Arnault who made seventh spot with $21.5 billion, and Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing in 10th place with $18.8 billion.
Hind Hariri, the 22-year-old daughter of slain Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri, beat out Germany's Prince Albert von Thurn und Taxis by eight months for the title of the world's youngest billionaire. At the other end of the age spectrum was American John Simplot, 96, who made his fortune processing potatoes.
39 people fell off the Forbes list, victims of market forces, dubious ethics and, in 11 cases, death. Notable disappearances included US lifestyle guru Martha Stewart, who debuted on the list last year despite serving a five-month prison term, and then found that freedom doesn't pay as her net worth declined to $500m after her release.
The 2006 roster counted billionaires from 49 countries, with the Czech Republic making its first appearance, and New Zealand and Lebanon both returning after an absence of several years. The US boasted 371 names on the list with a collective net worth of $1.1 trillion, while Europe's 196 billionaires enjoyed combined wealth of $802 billion. Europe's rising star was Russia, with 33 names including seven new faces.
In the Asia-Pacific region - home to 115 billionaires - the standout was India which added 10 new faces to total 23 on the list with a combined worth of $99 billion, 60% more than last year. China saw its presence in the rankings grow from just two billionaires last year to eight.
Of the 793 who made the global list, 452 were self-made billionaires. The number of women increased by 10 from the previous year to 78 and included US talk show queen Oprah Winfrey who pulled in an extra $100 million over the year to rank 562nd overal with $1.4 billion.
New York has the highest number of resident billionaires with 40, Moscow is second with 25 and London third with 23.
