# Forbes reports 15% rise in number of dollar billionaires

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2006/03/15/forbes-reports-15-rise-number-dollar-billionaires/
- Published: 2006-03-15T00:00:00+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

Business magazine Forbes reports that there are now 793 dollar billionaires around
the world, a rise of 15% in just one year.
The 20th annual list of billionaires 
published by Forbes reveals that these people have a combined net worth of $2.6 
trillion. Microsoft’s Bill Gates once again tops the list with a personal net worth
of $50 billion (£29 billion).

 

 

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Indeed, nearly half of the world’s billionaires are American.

 

 

According to the BBC, the top six billionaires in the UK are:

 

 

* Philip & Christina Green: $7bn

 

* The Duke of Westminster: $6bn

 

* Reuben Brothers: $3.6bn

 

* Bernie Ecclestone: $3.4bn

 

* Barclay Brothers: $2.8bn

 

* Richard Branson: $2.8bn

 

 

Forbes research has thrown up some interesting contrasts: for example, Russia’s 
33 billionaires have a combined wealth of $172 billion, over twice the combined 
wealth of Saudi Arabia’s 11 billionaires.

 

 

Similarly, Japan’s 27 billionaires have a total net worth of $67 billion yet India
has fewer but wealthier billionaires: the 23 Indian billionaires are worth $99 billion
together.

 

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