Top 10 Richest People in the World 2009

Top 10 Richest People in the World 2009

Bill Gates lost $18 billion but regained his title as the world's richest man. Warren Buffett, last year's No. 1, saw his fortune decline $25 billion as shares of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK) fell nearly 50% in 12 months, but he still managed to slip just one spot to No. 2. Mexican telecom titan Carlos Slim Helú also lost $25 billion and dropped one spot to No. 3.

List of Top World's Billionaires:

1. William Gates III

Net Worth: $40 billion Source: Microsoft/U.S. Age: 53 Marital Status: Married, three children

2. Warren Buffett

Net Worth: $37 billion Source: Investments/U.S. Age: 78 Marital Status: Widowed, remarried; three children

3. Carlos Slim Helú

Net Worth: $35 billion Source: Telecom/Mexico Age: 69 Marital Status: Widowed, six children

4. Lawrence Ellison

Net Worth: $22.5 billion Source: Oracle/U.S. Age: 64 Marital Status: Thrice divorced, remarried; two children

5. Ingvar Kamprad

Net Worth: $22 billion Source: Ikea/Sweden Age: 83 Marita

6. Karl Albrecht

Net Worth: $21.5 billion Source: Supermarkets/Germany Age: 89 Marital Status: Married, two children

7. Mukesh Ambani

Net Worth: $19.5 billion Source: Petrochemicals/India Age: 51 Marital Status: Married, three children

8. Lakshmi Mittal

Net Worth: $19.3 billion Source: Steel/India Age: 58 Marital Status: Married, two children

9. Theo Albrecht

Net Worth: $18.8 billion Source: Supermarkets/Germany Age: 87 Marital Status: Married, two children

10. Amancio Ortega

Net Worth: $18.3 billion Source: Fashion/Spain Age: 73 Marital Status: Divorced, remarried; three children

Full list of World's Richest People.

source: Forbes.com