Bill Gates tops Forbes rich list

BILL GATES has topped this year’s Forbes list of the 400 richest Americans with a net worth calculated at 59 billion US dollars (€43.2bn).

Forbes said the Microsoft co-founder saw his wealth increase by $5bn from last year.

Investor, Warren Buffett, ranks second with a fortune of $39bn (€28.5bn), though Forbes said the Berkshire Hathaway chief executive’s wealth shrank by $6bn from a year ago.

Oracle chief executive, Larry Ellison, rounds out the top three with a net worth of $33bn.

George Soros entered the top 10 list for the first time at seventh. Forbes estimated his wealth at $22bn.

Three descendants of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton, also made the list.