The Forbes 400
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Richest People in America
This year the 20 richest tycoons on The Forbes 400 could buy the bottom 239. Between their software, stores, casinos and fuel, chances are you put a few dollars into their pockets every day.
Click through our gallery as we highlight the five richest Americans from Forbes' list.
· Read the Article
First Up: No. 1 Richest AmericanMore from Forbes:
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Courtesy Forbes
1. William H. Gates III
Age: 52
Net Worth: $57 billion
Source: Microsoft
Software visionary stepped down from day-to-day duties at Microsoft in June to devote his talents and riches to philanthropy and The $36 billion Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Gates remains Microsoft chairman, sells shares each quarter and redeploys proceeds via investment vehicle Cascade; more than half of fortune is outside Microsoft.
· More on Bill Gates
Next: No. 2 Richest AmericanMore from Forbes:
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Courtesy Forbes
2. Warren Buffett
Age: 78
Net Worth: $50 billion
Source: Investments
Iconic investor crowned the World’s Richest Man in March as Berkshire Hathaway shares ran up 25% between July 2007 and February 2008. Berkshire stock has fallen 15% since; Oracle of Omaha's fortune down $12 billion in 6 months, forcing him to cede the title of America’s richest back to friend and bridge partner Bill Gates. Son of Nebraska politician delivered newspapers as a boy. Filed first tax return at age 13.
· More on Warren Buffett
Next: No. 3 Richest AmericanMore from Forbes:
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Courtesy Forbes
3. Lawrence Ellison
Age: 64
Net Worth: $27 billion
Source: Oracle
Database titan continues to buy up would-be competition; more than 40 acquisitions in the past 4 years. Bought BEA Systems for $8.5 billion in January. Revenues up 25% to $22.4 billion this year; profits up 29% to $5.5 billion. Stock down 12% in past 12 months. Started Oracle in 1977. Public 1986, a day before Microsoft.
· More on Larry Ellison
Next: No. 4 Richest AmericanMore from Forbes:
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Courtesy Forbes
4. Jim C. Walton
Age: 60
Net Worth: $23.4 billion
Source: Wal-Mart
Son of Wal-Mart pioneer Sam Walton (d. 1992) reclaims spot in Forbes 400 Top 10 after falling off last year. Wal-Mart shares up 45% since last September, as cash-strapped consumers head to discount-driven superstores. Also profiting from stake in solar-paneling outfit First Solar; shares up 120% in past 12 months. Today Wal-Mart is world’s largest retailer. Jim: chairs Arvest Bank Group, Community Publishers.
· More on Jim Walton
Next: No. 5 Richest AmericanMore from Forbes:
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Courtesy Forbes
5. S. Robson Walton
Age: 64
Net Worth: $23.3 billion
Source: Wal-Mart
Another son of Wal-Mart pioneer Sam Walton reclaims spot in Forbes 400 Top 10 after falling off last year. With brother James, Sam started general-store chain in Bentonville, Ark., 1962. Rob: Wal-Mart chairman; helping company become eco-friendly through partnership with environmental group Conservation International.
· More on S. Robson Walton
· See More 400 Richest Americans
More: Billionaire BachelorsMore from Forbes:
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Billionaire Bachelors
Now that you've seen who tops this year's America's richest list, check out who among them are eligible bachelors.
· Next Gallery:Billionaire Bachelors
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Recent Comments
Sbassmaster 04:04:20 PM Sep 22 2008
ALL THE RICH WITH OBAMA WILL BE THE NEW MIDDLE CLASS,,,OBAMA YOU DIDN'T DO ONE THING AS SENATOR,,DIDN'T PASS ONE THING,,NOTHING,SO QUITE TELLING AMERICANS YOU DID,,,,,CAUSE YOU DIDN'T,,,,,,,,
Sellbay123 12:37:38 AM Sep 22 2008
OK, now I really get it. Alferd E. Newman is smarter that the average liberal
Rwats69 12:08:29 AM Sep 22 2008
You dems forget about all the good these people do and all the people they employ. Losers always hate real winners.
Rwats69 12:04:51 AM Sep 22 2008
You just now figured out that AOL is run by a bunch of efite, elitest, liberal snobs?
Sellbay123 12:21:22 PM Sep 21 2008
I get it now. Obama is advertising on AOL. Just maybe that is why they are so slanted toward him in their news articles.
KittyLuv2 09:09:23 AM Sep 19 2008
lynndel45 07:24:26 PM Sep 18 2008Its a shame that there is so much need in the world, when a few sit on more than they could ever spend. It will be easier for the camel to go thru the eye of a needle than any rich man to enter the gates of Heaven._______________________________________This is it in a nutshell. These are not people to worship or admire. People who make much, much, much less usually give more percentage-wise and they don't live in palaces. It would take several lifetimes for these people to spend all this money. What they give away doesn't in any way impinge on their lifestyles.
KittyLuv2 09:02:19 AM Sep 19 2008
The Gates Foundation does, I believe, all of it's work in other countries. And then there's the HB1 visas. In other words, Gates does nothing to improve the lives of those in his own back yard.
Stnsmok 11:48:08 PM Sep 18 2008
Gates should find something to do other than telling our weak minded congress to give out unlimited work visas to other countries. Nothing like a stab in the back to the country that helped make him rich.
Skydrive65 09:55:28 PM Sep 18 2008
Criticize gates? He would be worth a ton more if he didnt give to charity but yet he is such a horrible person? Why because he does not cut you a check dirrectly? Oh and buffet didnt give half his fortune away he gave away stock that would be a estimated amount donated depending on what the stock was worth.
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