Forbes rich list shows wealthiest Americans growing richer

Sep 23, 2010, 16:56 GMT

   New York - The bank accounts of America's super rich have been growing steadily this year according to Forbes rich list, published Thursday, with the 10 most wealthy alone worth 270.8 billion dollars.

   Last year, in the middle of the worst recession since World War II, the top 10 richest Americans were reputedly worth 245.9 billion dollars.

   Microsoft founder Bill Gates kept his number one spot in America with an estimated 53 billion dollars, followed by his friend Warren Buffett. The legendary investor is thought to be worth 45 billion dollars.

   Oracle founder and boss Larry Ellison retained his number three spot with a fortune of 27 billion dollars.

   Well-represented among the country's super rich are the family of Walmart founder Sam Walton. The supermarket dynasty has together amassed a reported fortune of 89.1 billion dollars.

   New to the list are Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, who is reportedly worth 6.9 billion dollars. The high-flying Harvard drop- out has overtaken Apple boss Steve Jobs, with 6.1 billion dollars, and media baron Rupert Murdoch, estimated to be worth 6.2 billion dollars.

   But Mexican telecoms tycoon Carlos Slim Helu is, according to Forbes, the richest man in the world with an estimated fortune of 53.5 billion dollars.