1) Bill Gates – $61B – Richest Man in America
Son of a lawyer based in Seattle, Bill Gates is the richest American in the world. He is the chairman of software company Microsoft and also one of the founders of it. He was geek in childhood and a voracious reader. He dropped out of Harvard University to start his first company along with his friend Paul Allen and this led to the birth of Microsoft Corporation.
2) Warren Buffet – $44B – Second in List of Richest People in America
One of the most successful investors of 21st century, Warren Buffet is the second richest man in United States. He occupies the third spot on the list of wealthiest people in the world. And according to Forbes, he ranks #15 in the list of most powerful people in the world. He is CEO of investment firm Berkshire Hathaway which was once a cotton textile manufacturing mill.
3) Larry Ellison – $36B – Third in Richest People of America
Co-founder of database management company Oracle, Larry Ellison is the third richest billionaire in America. With a net worth of thirty six billion US Dollars, he is third in this list of richest people in USA. He is also the sixth richest man in the world today. He resides in Woodside of California state. Recently, this Oracle Corporation head purchased a house in Malibu’s Carbon Beach. An ardent follower of Tennis, Larry Ellison owns many sports and exotic cars along with several private aircraft.
4) Christy Walton – $25.3B
Richest Woman in the world and also in America, Christy Walton is daughter-in-law of deceased Sam Walton. Sam Walton was the founder of biggest retail Wal-Mart. She is widow of eldest son of Sam Walton. She also holds stakes in First Solar which manufactures Solar panels in America. Her family members are also billionaires.
5) Charles Koch – $25B
An alumnus of Massachusetts Institute of technology, he is the fifth richest man along with his brother David in America. He owns a forty-two percent stake in Koch industries. He is at position #41 in the list of most powerful people in the world by Forbes. Along with his brother, he forms one of the richest billionaires family. (ref)
5) David Koch – $25B
Along with his brother Charles, he occupies the fifth spot. His net worth stands at Twenty Five billion dollars and this makes him the twelfth richest person in the world along with his brother. Like his brother, he too studied at Massachusetts Institute of technology. Now, he is the executive Vice President of Koch Industries. (ref)
7) Sheldon Adelson – $24.9B – Seventh in list of Richest People in America
Born in city of Boston in the state of Massachusetts, Sheldon Adelson is a renown casino mogul. Major chunk of his wealth is derived from investments in casinos. He dropped out of college to embark upon his business career. He owns a newspaper company named ‘Israel Hayom’ which is circulated in the country of Israel. (ref) He was much in news for spending more than $100 million in 2012 US Presidential Elections.
Richest Family in America and also on Earth
Remaining three people, in this top 10 list of richest people in America , derive their wealth from Wal-Mart. All the three people are children of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton. Together they form the Richest Family in America and in the world.
8) Jim Walton – $23.7B
Eight in this list, Jim Walton is the chairman of Arvest bank and also the youngest son of Sam Walton. During the 2012 US Presidential elections, he donated bucks to the campaign of Mitt Romney. (ref)
9) Alice Walton – $23.3B
She is sister of Jim and Samuel and one of the most powerful women in the world. She has a net worth of $23.3 billion according to Forbes and is the second richest woman in America. (ref)
10) Samuel Robson Walton – $23.1B
Eldest of all the siblings in Walton family, Rob is the tenth in this list. Before starting his career with Wal-Mart, he worked with a law firm.
