The richest people on the planet got even richer in 2012, adding $241 billion to their collective net worth, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, a daily ranking of the world’s 100 wealthiest individuals. The aggregate net worth of the world’s top moguls stood at $1.9 trillion at the market close on Dec. 31, according to the index. Retail and telecommunications fortunes surged about 20% on average during the year. Of the 100 people who appeared on the final ranking of 2012, only 16 registered a net loss for the 12-month period. “Last year was a great one for the world’s billionaires,” says John Catsimatidis, the billionaire owner of Red Apple Group Inc., in an email to Bloomberg written poolside on his BlackBerry in the Bahamas. “In 2013, they will continue looking for investments around the world—and not necessarily in the U.S.—that will give them an advantage.” Carlos Slim, the telecommunications magnate who controls Mexico’s America Movil SAB, maintained his title as the richest person on Earth. The 72-year-old’s net worth rose $13.4 billion—or 21.6%—through Dec. 31. U.S. software mogul Bill Gates, 57, ranks second on the list, trailing Slim by $12.5 billion. The Microsoft co-founder added $7 billion to his net worth. Read the full story and see the complete list here.
Today’s poll question: Did your personal net worth increase in 2012?
