The
Forbes 2016 billionaires list reflects the continuing strength of Facebook, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg among six people who made the ranks thanks to the social media giant.
Zuckerberg’s net worth of $44.6 billion was good for a sixth-place ranking on the list, boosting him
one spot from last year, according to USA Today.
Others on the list with Facebook ties are:
Dustin Moskovitz, Facebook co-founder, $8.9 billion
Eduardo Saverin, Facebook co-founder, $6.2 billion
Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO, $1.2 billion
Jan Koum, co-founder of Facebook-owned WhatsApp, $8.6 billion
Brian Acton, WhatsApp co-founder, $4.4 billion
Zuckerberg’s net worth rose more than that of any other person on the list, increasing by $11.2 billion during the past 12 months as
Facebook shares climbed 35 percent, Forbes noted.
Other tech industry leaders on the list are Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, at No. 1 with a net worth of $75 billion, and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos at to No. 5 with a net worth of $45.2 billion.
Gates has been the world’s richest person for 17 of the past 22 years, Forbes said.
Along with domination by the tech industry, this year’s list includes a record number of people younger than age 40 — a total of 66 to be exact. The world’s youngest billionaire, Norwegain heiress Alexandra Andresen, is 19 and the second teen ever to make the list, Forbes said.
This year’s list includes 1,810 billionaires from 67 countries worth a combined $6.5 trillion.
The Guardian pointed out that the 20 wealthiest people saw their combined net worth fall by $70 billion, from $899 billion last year to $827 billion.
“The latest annual ranking of billionaires by Forbes shows that falling share prices, a dramatic drop in the price of oil, and volatile currency markets have shaken the global elite,” the U.K. newspaper said.
Mexican telecoms tycoon Carlos Slim saw the biggest drop in net worth, down from $77.1 billion to $50 billion in the past 12 months.
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