Richest People In The World 2011 / 2012 – Forbes List

This 25th year of tracking global wealth was one to remember. The 2011 Forbes Billionaires List breaks two records: total number of listees (1,210) and combined wealth ($4.5 trillion). This horde surpasses the gross domestic product of Germany, one of only six nations to have fewer billionaires this year.

BRICs led the way: Brazil, Russia, India and China produced 108 of the 214 new names. These four nations are home to one in four members, up from one in 10 five years ago. Before this year only the U.S. had ever produced more than 100 billionaires. China now has 115 and Russia 101.

No. 1 Carlos Slim Helú

Net Worth:$74 billion – As of March 2011
Source: Telecom , Age: 71 , Citizenship: Mexico

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No. 2 Bill Gates

Net Worth:$59 billion – As of September 2011
Source: Microsoft, self-made , Age: 55 , Citizenship: U.S.

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No. 3 Bernard Arnault

Net Worth:$41 billion – As of March 2011
Source: LVMH, inherited and growing , Age: 62 , Citizenship: France

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No. 4 Warren Buffett

Net Worth:$39 billion – As of September 2011
Source: Berkshire Hathaway, self-made , Age: 80 , Citizenship: U.S.

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No. 5 Larry Ellison

Net Worth:$33 billion – As of September 2011
Source: Oracle, self-made , Age: 66 , Citizenship: U.S.

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No. 6 Lakshmi Mittal

Net Worth:$31.1 billion – As of March 2011
Source: Steel, inherited and growing , Age: 60 , Citizenship: India

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No. 7 Amancio Ortega

Net Worth:$31 billion – As of March 2011
Source: Zara, self-made , Age: 74 , Citizenship: Spain

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No. 8 Eike Batista

Net Worth:$30 billion – As of March 2011
Source: Mining, oil, self-made , Age: 54 , Citizenship: Brazil

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No. 9 Mukesh Ambani

Net Worth:$27 billion – As of March 2011
Source: petrochemicals, oil & gas, inherited and growing, Age: 53 , Citizenship: India

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No. 10 Li Ka-shing

Net Worth:$26 billion – As of March 2011
Source: Diversified, self-made , Age: 82 , Citizenship: Hong Kong

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No. 11 Karl Albrecht

Net Worth:$25.5 billion – As of March 2011
Source: Aldi, self-made , Age: 91 , Citizenship: Germany

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No. 12 Charles Koch (tie)

Net Worth:$25 billion – As of September 2011
Source: Diversified, inherited and growing , Age: 75, Citizenship: United States

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No. 12 David Koch (tie)

Net Worth:$25 billion – As of September 2011
Source: Diversified, inherited and growing , Age: 70 , Citizenship: United States

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No. 14 Christy Walton & family (tie)

Net Worth:$24.5 billion – As of September 2011
Source: Walmart, inherited , Age: 56 , Citizenship: U.S.

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No. 14 Stefan Persson (tie)

Net Worth:$24.5 billion – As of March 2011
Source: Hennes & Mauritz , Age: 63 , Citizenship: Sweden

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No. 15 Vladimir Lisin

Net Worth:$24 billion – As of March 2011
Source: Steel, self-made , Age: 54 , Citizenship: Russia

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No. 16 Liliane Bettencourt

Net Worth: $23.5 billion – As of March 2011
Source: L’Oreal, inherited , Age: 88, Citizenship: France

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No. 18 David Thomson & family

Net Worth:$23 billion – As of March 2011
Source: media, inherited , Age: 53, Citizenship: Canada

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No. 18 Sheldon Adelson

Net Worth:$21.5 billion – As of September 2011
Source: Casinos, self-made , Age: 77 , Citizenship: United States

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No. 19 Jim Walton

Net Worth:$21.1 billion – As of September 2011
Source: Walmart, inherited , Age: 63 , Citizenship: United States

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[See full list on Forbes.com]