Ranking the World's Richest People

Who are the top dogs among the world's billionaires? Bloomberg Billionaires Index, a daily ranking of the twenty wealthiest people on the planet reveals the answer.

The positions on the list are based on the billionaires' wealth at the stock market closing every day. The Index's top ten is an eclectic group, made up of five Americans, a Mexican, a Swede, a Frenchman, a Spaniard, and a Brazilian.

The top spot belongs to Mexican telecommunications mogul Carlos Slim, who holds the title of richest person in the world for the second year in a row, with a net worth of $68.5 billion. Slim is the chairman and CEO of telecom companies Telemex and América Móvil, the former of which is the largest mobile-phone carrier in Latin America, and chairman and owner of the global conglomerate Grupo Carso. His fortune increased by 11 percent this year, and he kept his position atop the Bloomberg list despite losing $478.4 million in one day by the close of markets on Friday, March 2.

Second place on the list goes to Bill Gates, co-founder and chairman of Microsoft Corporation MSFT, with a net worth of $62.4 billion. Gates' net worth is up 11 percent this year to date.

The bronze medal spot goes to Warren Buffett, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway BRK BRK, with a net worth of $43.8 billion. Buffett's fortune dropped by $336.9 million on March 2, and is up 2.4 percent in 2012 so far.

In fourth place is Swedish business magnate Ingvar Kamprad, founder of the furniture retailer IKEA, who is the richest European with a net worth of $42.5 billion.

Rounding out the top five is Frenchman Bernard Arnault, chairman of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, with a net worth of $42.3 billion. LVMH is the world's largest maker of luxury goods.

Number six is Amancio Ortega, fashion entrepreneur and owner of the hugely successful Zara clothing chain, and the wealthiest man in Spain with a net worth of $38.3 billion.

In seventh place is Larry Ellison, co-founder and CEO of the enterprise software company Oracle Corporation ORCL, whose net worth of $38 billion also makes him the third wealthiest American citizen.

Coming in eighth place is Charles G. Koch, co-owner, chairman, and CEO of the multinational conglomerate Koch Industries, Inc., with a net worth of $34 billion.

Right behind in ninth place is Charles' younger brother David H. Koch, co-owner and executive vice president of Koch Industries, who also has a net worth of $34 billion.

Rounding out the top ten is Eike Batista, Brazilian mining mogul and CEO of the conglomerate holding company EBX Group, with a net worth of $28.8 billion. Batista has said that he plans to become the world's wealthiest man by 2015.

Mukesh Ambani, chairman and managing director of the Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries, is the world's richest Asian, with a net worth of $26.8 billion. His fortune was down $185.4 million in a day, but it is up 25 percent this year.

Li Ka-shing, chairman of the conglomerate Cheung Kong Holdings and the Fortune 500 company Hutchison Whampoa, is the second richest man in Asia, with a net worth of $25.8 billion. The local media in Hong Kong has given Li the nickname “Superman” for his business savvy.

Coming in, somewhat ironically, at number thirteen on the list is casino and hotel magnate Sheldon Adelson, chairman and CEO of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation LVS, with a net worth of $25.7 billion.

Lakshmi Mittal is the chairman of ArcelorMittal (largest steelmaker in the world) and the third-richest Asian, with a net worth of $23.6 billion.

Taking the final spot on the list at number twenty is Liliane Bettencourt, co-owner and principal shareholder of the French cosmetics company L'Oréal, has a net worth of $22.4 billion.