Bill Gates still top of Forbes rich list

There is something weirdly fascinating about the amazing wealth some people have amassed over the years, especially those that have created it, rather than had the fortune passed on.

Forbes have just published their list of the richest people in the US and once again, for the 19th year, Bill Gates is No 1 with a fortune of £41 billion, through the continued success of his company Microsoft, which impacts on most of our lives, whether we like it or not.

Warren Buffet, "the sage of Omaha" and legendary Investor, comes in at number two with a modest £29 billion, 

Truly staggering sums and both known also for charity projects that inolve amounts that would exceed the balance sheets of small countries.

Here in the UK, our richest person Lakshmi Mittal, has a more modest £17 billion at his disposal, through his steel interests, with the richest royal, the Duke of Westminster, worth some £7 billion through his huge central London property empire.

The Queen is thought to be worth around £350 million, though assets associated with her are held in trust for the Country in general and wouldn't be included in her portfolio.