He just eeeeeked over $50 Billion in net worth. Poor slob! I really feel bad for him.
Richest man in the world for the 12th year running. Wasn't he worth around $80 billion in 1998 after Windows 98 came out? It all went pear shaped when the stock market collapsed and the anti-trust investigation got going in 2000.
He is probably the most generous billionare on earth. He is always donating amazing amounts of money to charity and not just thinking about himself. I would say he is prety well off for having $50 billion.
Does that figure only include his holdings in MSFT stock? If it does, then he's worth a lot more than 50. Bill and Melinda have plugged 30B into their foundation.
So, around 800 billionaires this year. Alot more than last year, but still only 800 out of a world population of 6.5 billion... The question remains, what really makes them so different from the rest? What does it take? There are many many brilliant people out there. Many people who start with large inheritances, excellent circumstances, great educations, nurturing parents, etc. Yet there is still something that separates these people from those who make billions... I get the sneaky suspicion that luck and 'right place right time' have alot to do with it, apart from basic requirements like intelligence. Thoughts?
You're absolutely right. Timing has a lot to do with success, as does a little bit of luck. We always read about the success stories, but there aren't many pieces done about the road that's littered with close calls and failures.
Some litter: The story about CP/M, and how the Digital Research CEO was either 'out of town' or didn't want to sign a non-disclosure agreement with IBM, so they went with MSFT. And QDOS, which Bill Gates brought from a small company and turned into MS-DOS.
Oh poor guy. How is he going to pay off those college debts and the mortage and save for retirement. I wish him good luck.
You're the only one then! I'm not envious of Gates' money, I'm just jealous that he was able to pull off some great business moves at the right time and place. He's pretty low-key, self-made, generous, and he's been able to keep his company on top for the last 30~ years. Ditto Steve Jobs (although not as generous). I'm pretty sure that he also doesn't try to cut corners and make his own webpage but hey, I could be wrong. You tell me-- which one of these doesn't belong? Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I don't know what Richard Branson is worth, but plenty. Amazingly, he is a really normal bloke... in fact, he actually "seems" a little bit dim..... I think some of his skill is knowing what he doesn't know, and employing experts to take care of it.
I'm guessing you met him just recently while he was in Melbourne? Saw the (brief) Rove Live interview.
LOL. I'm sure he is a MASTER of cooking Ramen noodles with that little money. Damn, it's gotta feel good to wake up in the morning knowing that you are the RICHEST person on the PLANET. I think with that kind of money I could suffer through one of Bills bad days.
The weird part is that these guys never stop. There was an article in last month's Washingtonian about ex-guv Mark Warner lining himself up for a presidential bid in 08. He's apparently worth over $200M and still relatively young...Now if I had that kind of money, I'd be cruising the world on my yacht full of supermodels, not fighting for the worst and most stressful job on the planet. In the case of Bill Gates, I wonder how much work he actually does on a daily basis for Microsoft... -R
There is nothing weird about it. They didn't get there in the first place by bumming around. They are very driven, passionate, ambitious people. They are bored without the challenges created by running various businesses, ventures and other pursuits such as politics. I know for me (although I'm not a billionaire yet ), without constant intellectual stimulation, challenges and goals, I go into terrible depression from boredom.
bill works his ass off at microsoft. in fact, the whole management team keeps what most people would consider insane schedules with no downtime. i know someone who was inserted into that strata there not too long ago and it required a lot of mental reprogramming to adjust to the pace. bill seems to show no signs of slowing down. doody.
Bill Gates may be a really hard worker, and a generous billionaire, but he never got there on his own. Xerox and Apple "helped" him along the way.
I think I remember it differently. I recall that Gates didnt want to give any money away. He said that creating value for his shareholders and creating jobs for his employees was where he wanted his money to go. Then he got married and the feds got on his butt about his monopoly. All of a sudden charity work didnt seem to bad for publicity sake. Kinda like the Walmart commercials where all the employees are happy. They started running those oddly enough, right after they took a beating in the media over their 28 hour a week.
Wel, I met my first billionaire last week in florida. Forgot the guys name - but he is Trumps business partner with all of those condo development down there. His picture is plastered next to Trumps on all of the signage. Heavy set guy in his fifties...was leaving the sales office in a hawaiin shirt, shorts, gym shoes. Scraggly hair. "Derez" or something like that... He passed by, commented on the weather...then kept going. Does that qualify as a conversation? Part of me wanted to grab him, sit him down, and ask: "How? HOW! How does one make their first billion?! Come on! Share! I won't tell anyone. Promise !" But I figured I might get arrested.... Oh. Did I mention that Trump has the HOTTEST receptionists and sales force?! I didn't see one ugly person in the place...I think some one ugly should sue the place for discrimination .
I see Buffett at lunch nearly once a month. Gorats on 50th and Center. Best lunch in town for about 5-10 bucks. I had expected to see a large staff with him, but he's usually with just one or two other people, there are 2 military looking fellows standing outside when we leave though.
