Forbes' List of 400 wealthiest Americans has been released. To make it in Forbes 400 this year, one must have at least $1.55 Billion USD. Last year the minimum amount needed to gain acceptance was $1.3 Billion USD.
The Forbes' list of the nation's wealthiest people, particularly at the top, has not changed much. Get to know the top five Americans on the list.
Bill Gates is at the top spot of the Forbes' list. He has a current worth of $81 Billion USD. He founded Microsoft and still has substantial holdings in the company. He and his wife set up the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as charity organization to help and fund certain causes. He is 58 years old.
Warren Buffet is the second richest American in the nation. He has a current net worth of around $67 Billion USD. He founded the Berkshire Hathaway Corporation. Share of his corporation are considered as the most expensive. You will need $200,000 USD just to buy one Class A share of Berkshire stock. He is 84 years old.
Larry Ellison has a current net worth of around $50 Billion USD. He founded Oracle and has recently announced that he is retiring as the company's CEO. However, he will still hold on to his position as Oracle's Chief Technology Officer. Ellison is 70 years old.
Charles Koch is in fourth place in Forbes' list with a current net worth of $42 Billion USD. He is Koch Industries' Chairman and CEO. He and his brother inherited the company from their father. But it was during his tenure as CEO that the company grew to become the second largest and privately owned enterprise. Charles Koch is now 78 years old.
The fifth place in Forbes' List is Charles' brother David Koch. While fifth in the list he is currently regarded as the richest individual in New York City. David Koch is 74 years old.
