The Hindu Business Line : Mukesh Ambani elbows out Gates, Slim to become world's richest

NEW DELHI: Billionaire Mr Mukesh Ambani on Monday became the richest person in the world, surpassing American software czar Mr Bill Gates, Mexican business tycoon Mr Carlos Slim Helu and famous investment guru Mr Warren Buffett, courtesy the bull-run in the stock market.

Following a strong share price rally today in his three group companies - India's most valued firm Reliance Industries, Reliance Petroleum and Reliance Industrial Infrastructure Ltd - the net worth of Mr Mukesh Ambani rose to $63.2 billion (Rs 2,49,108 c rore).

In comparison, the net worth of both Mr Gates and Mr Slim is estimated to be slightly lower at around $62.29 billion each, with Mr Slim leading among the two by a narrow margin.

Mr Warren Buffett, earlier the third richest in the world, also dropped one position with a net worth of about $56 billion.

Mr Ambani's wealth of about Rs 2,49,000 crore includes about Rs 2,10,000 crore from RIL (50.98 per cent stake), Rs 37,500 crore from RPL (37.5 per cent) and Rs 2,100 crore from RIIL (46.23 per cent).

Mr Slim's wealth has been calculated on the basis of his stake in companies such as America Movil (30 per cent), Carso Global (82 per cent), Grupo Carso (75 per cent), Inbursa (67 per cent), IDEAL (30 per cent) and Saks Inc (10 per cent).

According to information available with the US and Mexican stock exchanges where these companies are listed, Mr Slim currently holds shares worth a total of $62.2993 billion with more than half coming from Latin American mobile major, America Movil.

Mr Slim is closely followed by Mr Gates with a net worth of $62.29 billion currently. - PTI

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