Bill Gates the richest person in the world, Forbes says

Microsoft founder Bill Gates is the richest person in the world, ahead of Mexico’s Carlos Slim, according to the list of billionaires released Monday by Forbes magazine.

Also among the 20 richest people in the world is a Spaniard, the entrepreneur Amancio Ortega, founder of the textile group Iinditex, who came in fourth, one place below his position on the 2014 list.

Veteran U.S investor Warren Buffett, head of the Berkshire Hathaway firm, was third.

The magazine reports that Gates, 59, has a fortune of $79.2 billion, while Slim, the 75yearold head of a conglomerate built on telecommunications, is estimated to have $77.1 billion.

Forbes attributes to Buffett, 84, a fortune of $72.7 billion, while the 78yearold Ortega is thought to be worth $64.5 billion.

The others among the top 10 on the list are all Americans with the exception of France’s Liliane Bettencourt, 92, of the L’Oreal cosmetics giant, 10th on the list with a fortune Forbes estimates at $40.1 billion.

Among the first 20 are four members of the Walton family, owners of the Walmart retail chain.

Youngest among the top 20 is 30yearold Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg, who occupies 16th place with a fortune Forbes calculates at some $33.4 billion.