www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/2811658  


Sept. 23, 2004, 7:03PM

More billionaires than ever in Forbes 400
Associated Press

NEW YORK -- It looks like the U.S. billionaire's club isn't quite as exclusive as it once was.  

There are now 313 billionaires in the country, the largest number ever and a huge jump over the 262 counted last year, according to Forbes magazine, which today released its annual ranking of the 400 richest Americans.

The combined net worth of the 400 rose $45 billion and reached $1 trillion this year for the first time since 2000, before the dot-com bust wiped out billions of dollars in wealth.

The biggest billionaire of all was again Microsoft Corp. founder Bill Gates, whose $48 billion in estimated wealth was up $2 billion from 2003. Gates was again followed by investor Warren Buffett with $41 billion, the list's biggest dollar gainer with a $5 billion increase, and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, who held the No. 3 spot although his net worth fell $2 billion to $20 billion.

Members of the Walton family, whose fortune comes from Wal-Mart Stores Inc., again swept spots four through eight, with each having estimated wealth of $18 billion.

The only tweak in the top 10 from last year came from Dell Computer Inc.'s Michael Dell and Oracle Corp.'s Lawrence Ellison, now No. 9 and No. 10 respectively after swapping places from 2003. Dell Computer stock has weathered the tech slump relatively well over the past year, giving Michael Dell a net worth of $14.2 billion. Ellison, whose stock has suffered, had $13.7 billion in holdings, a drop from $18 billion last year.

There are 45 new names on the list, including Google's Sergey Brin and Larry E. Page -- also the youngest members of the 400 at 31. The two tied for No. 43 with $4 billion each after their company's stock went public in August.

Forbes senior editor Peter Newcomb attributed the overall gains in the list to the improving economy, as well as a good year in the financial sector and industries including food and wine.

Casino mogul Steve Wynn, who climbed to No. 215 from No. 377 last year, saw the largest percentage increase in wealth -- a 100 percent jump to $1.3 billion from $650 million. Last year's biggest dollar gainer, Amazon's Jeff Bezos, received the less-coveted title of biggest dollar loser this year with an $800 million drop.

Donald Trump's net worth edged up $100 million to $2.6 billion, despite the financial problems of his casino empire. But Trump slipped three spots on the list, falling to 74 from 71.

Returning to the list after a year's absence was Teresa Heinz Kerry, wife of Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry. Teresa Heinz Kerry's $750 million in wealth tied her for last place.

Fifty-four people dropped off the list from last year, including such notables as Disney's Michael Eisner, BET's Robert Johnson and Monster.com's Andrew McKelvey.

The 400 includes 51 women -- up just one from last year, but the average net worth of the women is $2.8 billion, higher than the list's average of $2.5 billion.

Only 50 names remain of the original 400 from the list's debut in 1982. While some died or divvied up their assets, more than half were simply surpassed.

And while New York City still claims the most 400 list members per city with 38, the state of California, with 98 members, again outdistanced the state of New York, with 49.

"There's been a huge shift from east to west, and that trend is not slowing down at all," Newcomb said.

Forbes compiled its list by estimating the value of stock and other assets such as real estate held by the wealthiest Americans, Newcomb said. Forbes used the stock prices of publicly held companies as of Aug. 31; for privately held companies, the magazine estimated a fair market value based on the stocks of their publicly traded peers.

If the economy continues its upward trend, it's likely the 400 will grow even wealthier, Newcomb said, adding, "It won't be too long before our entire list consists of billionaires."

Uhm, so what?  People who have lots of money . . . . end up making lots of money . . . . and end up even richer.  Why the fuck do people freak out over this?

This whole "The rich get richer" crap pisses me off.  OF COURSE THEY DO, you dipshits!  And most of us get richer too every year.  Sheesh.

Nope, don't feel like a looser. I'm pretty sure I'm happier than any of those guys.

Quoted: Nope, don't feel like a looser. I'm pretty sure I'm happier than any of those guys.

Yeah, that's what losers say. Just kidding.

I used to provide security for the Bass Brothers - they are multi-billionaires.  Best paying job I ever had but I was constantly travelling and had zero personal time.

I could only hack it for 3 years.

Quoted: Quoted: Uhm, so what?  People who have lots of money . . . . end up making lots of money . . . . and end up even richer.  Why the fuck do people freak out over this? This whole "The rich get richer" crap pisses me off.  OF COURSE THEY DO, you dipshits!  And most of us get richer too every year.  Sheesh. The rich get richer because they know how to make money. The poor get poorer because hey haven't got a clue. Nothing to do with government policies. In fact, It can be stated that the rich get richer DESPITE government policies,

I would agree with that. Think outside the box. Most people don't.

Quoted: Quoted: I used to provide security for the Bass Brothers - they are multi-billionaires.  Best paying job I ever had but I was constantly travelling and had zero personal time. I could only hack it for 3 years. That's probably 2 years and 11 months longer than most people

Nah - I wussed out.  There were some guys who had been there for 10+ years!

Talk about not having a life!  

Let me also say, that the only path I would take to riches would be to tithe to the Lord and upright living, no exploitation of anyone.

Psalm 112
2 His children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in his house,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. [1]


Proverbs 10
22 The blessing of the LORD brings wealth,
and he adds no trouble to it.

Quoted: Let me also say, that the only path I would take to riches would be to tithe to the Lord and upright living, no exploitation of anyone. Psalm 112 2 His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. 4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. [1] Proverbs 10 22 The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.

Are you the same guy that recently posted about joining an Austin church in which two members almost beat a kid to death???  

Quoted: I used to provide security for the Bass Brothers - they are multi-billionaires.  Best paying job I ever had but I was constantly travelling and had zero personal time. I could only hack it for 3 years.

Being familiar with TX and the Bass Brothers......I bet you saw some very interesting things.

Quoted: Quoted: Nope, don't feel like a looser. I'm pretty sure I'm happier than any of those guys. Yeah, that's what losers say. Just kidding.

Those guys live a life of stress and worry. Its all about making money and being in control.

I'm retired military with a good civilian job and my wife works at the post office so we have a pretty good income, a great wife, no mortgage, seven vehicles with only one unpaid for, about 50 guns, two NFA tax stamps, a good dog, and get more pussy than most 20 year olds. Yep, I'm a happy boy.

Quoted: Quoted: Let me also say, that the only path I would take to riches would be to tithe to the Lord and upright living, no exploitation of anyone. Psalm 112 2 His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. 4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. [1] Proverbs 10 22 The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it. Are you the same guy that recently posted about joining an Austin church in which two members almost beat a kid to death???

Yeah that was me.

I won't be a member there since I found out.

Quoted: Uhm, so what?  People who have lots of money . . . . end up making lots of money . . . . and end up even richer.  Why the fuck do people freak out over this? This whole "The rich get richer" crap pisses me off.  OF COURSE THEY DO, you dipshits!  And most of us get richer too every year.  Sheesh.

Yup!  I love how you hear this from people who have no ability to manage their money.  

Hows that searching for the meaning of life going?


SGatr15

LOL !!  I don't measure my self worth by how much money I have.
I value my time with my family and friends more than money.

Quoted: Hows that searching for the meaning of life going? SGatr15

Why don't you tell me, and save me the trouble?