Sergey Brin and Larry Page make Billionaire Row

[Brian Turner]

Google pair make billionaire row

The creators of internet search engine Google have joined the Forbes magazine list of world billionaires.


Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page are among many new additions to the list, which has a record 587 names this year compared with 476 in 2003.

Forbes said the recovery in share prices over the past year had helped to swell the number of billionaires. Microsoft chairman Bill Gates topped the list for the 10th year in a row, with investor Warren Buffett in second.

But the market recovery meant Mr Buffett closed the gap between himself and Mr Gates.


Bill Gates' wealth was estimated to have grown by 13% to $46.6bn (£25.3bn), although this is still well below the peak of $100bn in 1998. Meanwhile Warren Buffett's estimated wealth surged by $12.4bn, Forbes said, to $42.9bn.


Top on the list:

1. Bill Gates - $46.6bn
2. Warren Buffett - $42.9bn
3. Karl Albrecht - $23bn
4. Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud - $21.5bn
5. Paul Allen - $21bn
6. Joint 6th: Alice Walton, Helen Walton, S Robson Walton, John Walton, Jim Walton - $20bn

Source: Forbes


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