Pinoys in the List of World's Billionaires 2009

Famous Forbes Magazine has issued the World's Billionaires 2009.

William "Bill" Gates III of Microsoft is back on top of the World's Richest with a net worth of 40 Billion US Dollars.

Second on the list is Warren Buffett, America's most beloved investor and last year's richest man. His net worth is 37 Billion US Dollars.



Others who made the top 10 are:


3. Carlos Slim Helu & family of Mexico- 35 Billion

4. Lawrence Ellison of the United States- 22.5 Billion

5. Ingvar Kamprad & family of Switzerland- 22 Billion

6. Karl Albrecht of Germany- 21.5 Billion

7. Mukesh Ambani of India- 19.5 Billion

8. Lakshmi Mittal of India/United Kingdom- 19.3 Billion

9. Theo Albrecht of Germany- 18.8 Billion

10. Amancio Ortega of Spain- 18.3 Billion



Fellow Filipinos are also in the list.

At #234 is Henry Sy & Family, owner of various SM Mall chains, Banco de Oro Unibank, among others, with a net worth of 2.7 Billion USD.


Forbes.com writes of Henry Sy:

The richest man in the Philippines arrived there at age 13 from China to help out at father's small convenience store. Saved to start a small shoe store in Manila and built it into one of the country's largest retailers. Now controls the Philippines' largest shopping mall developer, SM Prime Holdings, which opened its 31st mall last year, run by son Hans Sy; country's largest bank, Banco de Oro Unibank, run by daughter Teresita Sy-Coson. Shares fortune, which includes stakes in a dozen companies with wife and children. Last year bought a 60% stake in Manila's National University for an undisclosed sum. In December family's SM Investment Corp. announced plans to start building casinos in Manila.

At #522 is Lucio Tan & Family. They own the Philippine Airlines, Fortune Tobacco, Asia Brewery, etc. Tan and his family has a net worth 1.4 Billion USD.

According to Forbes.com:

Lucio Tan is a former chemical engineer from China who mopped floors to pay for school. Now owns the Philippines' largest cigarette maker, Fortune Tobacco; Philippine Airlines; Asia Brewery; mining operations; banks; property developments in Hong Kong. Cigarettes and alcohol continue to do well during the downturn, but his property company, Eton, has been hit by lower property values and rents in Hong Kong and other parts of Asia. Being prosecuted by the Presidential Commission on Good Governance, which claims that much of Tan's wealth belonged to former president Ferdinand Marcos and should be returned to the country. Hobbies include flying helicopters.