Bill Gates NO LONGER richest man in the world

Had to happen sometime.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19584883/

The Seattle Post Intelligencer—Seattle, WA
By P-I STAFF
The Seattle Post Intelligencer
Updated: 1:12 p.m. ET July 3, 2007

Bill Gates appears to have been dethroned as the world's richest man. But based on his past comments, he probably isn't disappointed. The Microsoft Corp. chairman and co-founder has been overtaken on the world's richest list by Mexican telecommunications tycoon Carlos Slim, according to a Mexican financial news service quoted by Reuters.

A 27 percent surge in the stock price of Slim's wireless company, American Movil, in the second quarter has put his worth at close to $67.8 billion, Reuters reported Tuesday.

Reuters quoted financial tracker Eduardo Garcia, from Sentido Comun, an online financial publication. Garcia estimated that Gates was worth $59.2 billion, Reuters reported.

At a Microsoft conference in Redmond last year, advertising executive and TV host Donny Deutsch asked Gates if he would be upset if someday he were no longer the world's richest man.

"I wish I wasn't," Gates replied. "There's nothing good that comes out of that."

"It's better than being second," Deutsch said.

"No," Gates replied. "You get more visibility as a result of it."

On this spring's Forbes list, Slim was just behind Warren Buffett, an investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, who had been second on the list for years.

Forbes reported then that Gates, who had topped its list for 13 years, and Buffett were quickly losing ground to Slim. In April, Forbes reported that Slim had overtaken Buffett and was on his way to passing Gates.

More links:
http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,2117330,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=24
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2007/10/07billionaires_Carlos-Slim-Helu_WYDJ.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/03/world/americas/03slim.html?pagewanted=2&ei=5088&en=87ff5ffac4ee12aa&ex=1306987200&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

 

oh well, had to happen sometime, and with both gates and buffett continually giving away their fortunes for good causes, they're bound to drop further, but it really isn't bad given the circumstances leading up to their drop.

 

But since the guy is getting american money to make his bbbillions, shouldn't that credit Gates a bit, kind of like grading with a curve? LOL

 

Gates used to be worth more than 60 billion, I had thought. Hasn't he given away more than 12 billion? All the more to him, his company may be crap but he seems like a nice guy.

 

ot a list of richest Americans. It is richest in the world. Why does it matter where Slim's makes his money from.

As much as Gates and Buffet give to charity it was bound to happen. Slipping 2nd and 3rd I sure would like to have that problem

 

I wonder how much these guys have that isn't because of their stock in company(ies).

 

If the stock tanks then so does his wealth. It would seem like this paper wealth would constantly be fluctuating for these guys.

 

Worth more than a hundred back in the prime days....but i'm glad he's giving money away...

 

The computer I am typing this on at the local library was courtesy of Bill, so as much as I dislike Microsoft, Bill has his points.

 

does anyone find this as funny as I do?

 

Meanwhile, PAPster is getting paid 10million USD per post and is rapidly catching up!

 

Am I also the only person who has never heard of American Movil?

 

At one point, I thought he was around 82 billion? Either way, I'm not passing the cup around for him, right! Someone had mentioned it already, he and Buffet have done great things for America and the World in regards to their donations and charity work. I've watched interviews with both of them and they seem to be stand up people and, for the most part, very ordinary... especially Buffet.

J

 

when i read the title of the thread, i just wondered who googled me

 

He should be paid double that!

 

Poor bastard!

 

Bill Gates is going broke because he is sponsoring my Fchat posting. I recieve $100 per post!

 

I reckon!! I would love to just have the amount of money he spends on 'waiter tips' in one year.

 

i m sad for him...lost the first place must to be a big desapointement.

 

I seem to recall reading somewhere that Slim isn't much of a philanthropist. Seems that he doesn't believe in giving money away.

Ah well, he doesn't have to mess with any pesky monopoly charges brought about by the Mexican government to slow down his empire either.

 

It would be simple to beat anyone when you control the entire market. Gates did it in an open market. This new guy controls the market. Everything is different in Old Mexico!

BTW: People in Mexico are in America!

 

Actually I am pretty sure it was closer to 100 billion at one point.

 

you are correct, sir!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates

 

I thought I heard somewhere a while back that Gates had retired? I guess I was mistaken.

 

Gates is stepping down from Microsoft next year.