4-7 Rich Man

4. Bernard Arnault

Net Worth: $41 billion – as on March, 2011
Source: LVMH Moet Hennessy, Louis Vuitton
Age: 62 years
Citizenship: France

He is still the richest person of Europe. The total earning increased by a whopping $13.5 billion as the shares of his luxury outfit, LVMH, rose more than by half in the last year with an increasing demand for luxury products like Dom PerignonChampagne, Cognac Hennessy, Tag Heuer Watches and Louis Vuitton accessories. The increase has been mainly from Asian countries especially fromShanghaiandHo Chi Minh City. In March, the entire family transferred their majority holding into the LVMH in exchange for LVMH shares and board seats. They even fired Christian Dior designer John Galliano for making anti-semantic remarks. He also owns yacht builder Royal Van Lent, a hotel in Courchevel and has stakes in Carrefour and tour operator Go Voyages.

                                                                            

5. Larry Ellsion

Net Worth: $39.5 billion – as on March, 2011
Source: Oracle
Age: 66 years
Citizenship: United States of America

Oracle Corporation has been known for its IT services across the globe. Larry Ellision, saw a jump in profits by over 30% due to the increase in software shares. He now stands atop of fortune of over $11.5 billion over previous year’s profits. He is one of the highest paid executives in United States of Americaand has earned $960 million in compensation in the last five years. Most of the earnings came by carrying out an exercise with the stock options. He recently has decreased his salary $1. He is also one of the members who signed “giving pledge” for which he will spend some of his fortune towards betterment of the society through charity.

6. Lakshmi Mittal

Net Worth: $31.20 billion – as on March, 2011
Source: Arcelor Mittal
Age: 60 years
Citizenship: India

Known as “Steel Tycoon”, Lakshmi Mittal is the world’s sixth richest person with a net worth $31.20 billion. There has been a tremendous increase of 18 fold to $2.9 billion in the year 2010. The reason is the increase in the higher margins and recovery of steel demand. The group has spun off their stainless steel to Aperam, which is the new listed company. They even acquired Canadian miner Baffinland Iron Mines. He is also funding for the ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture for theLondon’s Olympic Park. He lives inLondonand he also broughtAlderbrookPark, a 340 acre country estate where he plans to build a eco-friendly mansion for a reported amount of $40 million. His daughter, Vanisha, has purchased state in Roc Capital Management; aNew Yorkbased Hedge Fund Company. Daughter-in-law, Megha, own the German fashion house Escada.

7. Amancio Ortega

Net Worth: $31 billion – as on March, 2011
Source: Inditex Group
Age: 74 years
Citizenship: Spain

Chairman of Inditex Group, Amancio Ortega stepped down from the post recently. He still obtains 87% of the total fortune from the publicly traded firm. The fashion group has set up over 5,000 stores in over 77 countries. Different brands names include Zara, Massimo Dutti and Stradivarius. He also owns properties inFlorida,Madrid,LondonandLisbon, a horse-jumping circuit, stake in soccer league. He also has interests in gas, banking and tourism. He started his career as a gofer in a shirt store. He later on was married to then Rosalia Mera, also a billionaire, started making lingerie in their living room. His daughter works for the Inditex group.