Skip navigation
Watchlist Sponsored By :

Current DateTime: 05:45:36 04 Jul 2009
LinksList Documentid: 24355697
  • Collection of Michael Jackson

      Earlier this year, Jackson sought to auction his personal items. Although it never came through, here's a look at what was almost sold.

  • Recession-Resistant US Cities

      Some cities have been hit much harder than others during the recession. Here are the metro areas faring the best.

  • How Much For A T-Bone Steak?

      From the cost of a T-bone steak to a monthly phone bill, the price for everyday items can vary dramatically across the country.


Current DateTime: 05:45:36 04 Jul 2009
LinksList Documentid: 24890560
  • Boom, Bust and Blame

      The inside story of the economic crisis that has gripped the entire world.

  • E3: Gaming's Cutting Edge

      North America's premier computer and video game trade show draws tens of thousands of professionals to experience the future of interactive entertainment.

  • The Fall of GM

      A look into the fall of General Motors as the automaker heads toward bankruptcy and an effective nationalization.

Meet the World's New 'Richest Person' -- For Now
By: CNBC.com | 29 Oct 2007 | 05:02 PM ET
Text Size

Mukesh Ambani, Reliance Industries chairman, in file photo from 2002.
AP
Mukesh Ambani, Reliance Industries chairman, in file photo from 2002.

Mexico's Carlos Slim and Microsoft's Bill Gates have been overtaken in the race to be the "World's Richest Person," at least for today, according to reports from India's news media.

The Economic Times and the Press Trust of India reported Monday that Mukesh Ambani, the chairman and largest shareholder of India's Reliance Industries, surpassed Slim, Gates and the well-known investor Warren Buffett, due to a strong rally in Reliance shares. Ambani owns almost half of Reliance's outstanding stock.

Here's how the Indian reports rank the top five as of today:

  • Mukesh Ambani - $63.2 billion
  • Carlos Slim Helu - $62.2993 billion
  • William (Bill) Gates - $62.29 billion
  • Warren Buffett - $55.9 billion
  • Lakshmi Mittal - $50.9 billion

The ranking appears to be the result of calculations by the Indian news media based on Ambani's and Slim's holdings in publicly traded companies.  Gates' total wealth is more difficult to estimate because he has many private holdings.

Determining who is the world's richest person at any given point in time is not an exact science, although Forbes Magazine publishes a list that is closely followed.  It is updated once a year in the spring, but a magazine spokesman tells us that its India's 40 Richest list will be published in mid-November.  It will include the magazine's current valuation of Ambani's wealth.

Earlier this month, when it published its list of the richest people in the United States, Forbes estimated that Slim and Gates were in a virtual tie for the title of world's richest person.

© 2009 CNBC.com
Tools:
Print EmailAdd This share icon


Current DateTime: 01:01:47 04 Jul 2009
LinksList Documentid: 29778428

Current DateTime: 01:04:09 04 Jul 2009
LinksList Documentid: 29779196

Current DateTime: 01:01:47 04 Jul 2009
LinksList Documentid: 29779199

Current DateTime: 01:04:10 04 Jul 2009
LinksList Documentid: 29779198
CNBCCNBC
About CNBC  |  Site Map  |  Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Service  |  Video Reprints  |  Advertise  |  Help  |  Contact
Partners: AOL Money  |  BloggingStocks.com
CNBC is a Division of NBC Universal
  Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes
Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis

© 2009 CNBC, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.
Thomson ReutersThomson Reuters