Rich techies top richest list
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Bill Gates, right, and Warren Buffett have a total wealth of $82 billion.
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| TOP TEN RICHEST |
1. William Gates --
$46 billion Microsoft
2. Warren Buffett --
$36 billion Berkshire Hathaway
3. Paul Allen --
$22 billion Microsoft
4. Helen Walton --
$20.5 billion Wal-Mart
5. S. Robson Walton --
$20.5 billion Wal-Mart
6. John Walton --
$20.5 billion Wal-Mart
7. Jim Walton --
$20.5 billion Wal-Mart
8. Alice Walton --
$20.5 billion Wal-Mart
9. Larry Ellison --
$18 billion Oracle
10. Michael Dell --
$13 billion Dell
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NEW YORK (Reuters) -- It was a good year for billionaires.
Despite a difficult stock market, the total wealth of the 400 richest Americans rose 10 percent to $955 billion this year, reversing last year's decline of $80 billion, according to Forbes magazine's latest poll.
Technology and media visionaries, along with the family heirs of top-name companies, continued to dominate the list.
Tech execs on top
The list was heavily weighted with technology executives, including Bill Gates, marking his 10th year at the No. 1 spot, and Paul Allen, both of Microsoft Corp. , along with Michael Dell of Dell Inc. and Larry Ellison of Oracle Corp.
Brains and enterprise, however, were not the only way to win a coveted spot on the much-watched list. Others made the list thanks to a family fortune, whether it was from retailing, chocolates or hotels.
Others on list
The Walton family, the dynasty behind the Wal-Mart Stores Inc. fortune, took up five names on the top-ten list. Among the top 25 were three heirs from the Mars candy-making family, publishing scions Donald and Samuel Newhouse, and two heirs of the Pritzker fortune that includes the Hyatt hotels.
Among those losing their places this year were Vince McMahon, chief of the World Wrestling Entertainment Inc and Global Crossing Ltd.'s Gary Winick.
Copyright 2003
Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
