But how long can he hold onto the Forbes top spot?
Published: 9 March 2007 13:15 GMT
Bill Gates has for the 13th year running topped the Forbes rich list with an estimated fortune of $56bn.
But it could be 13 and out for the Microsoft founder as he prepares to stand down from his day job in Redmond and focus his efforts on spreading his considerable wealth around the developing world.
Second placed Warren Buffett ($52bn) may also begin to move down the rankings as he too starts transferring his own fortune into the coffers of The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Coming up fast is Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim Helu, worth $49bn thanks in large part to his stake in Mexican telco Telmex.
Helu's worth is estimated to have increased by $19bn over the past year, though he remains a non-mover in third place.
Other notable movers and shakers include Paul Allen, Gate's Microsoft co-founder, who has slipped from sixth to 19th as his fortune fell by $4bn to just $18bn.
Oracle founder Larry Ellison meanwhile was travelling the other way: up four places to 11th with an estimated worth of $21.5bn.
Google's Sergei Brin and Larry Page share 26th spot on the list with $16.6bn, four places ahead of Michael Dell who makes do with $15.8bn.
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