The world's richest are now far too poorer
There are only 793 billionaires this year compared to 1125 in 2008 according to Forbes annual super rich list. The combined net worth of the rich has come down by 2 trillion dollars in one year.
29 Indian billionaires lost their status while Mukesh Ambani's worth shrank from 43 Billion to 19.5 billion, though he managed to keep ahead of Lakshmi Mittal whose worth is 19.3 billion. Mukesh may still build his dream house for his wife without much difficulty.
India has also lost the status as the Asian country with the largest number of billionaires – China has taken that place.
In all this recession, there were gainers too like Ranbaxy's Malvinder and Shivinder Singh who added $100 million to their combined net worth.
Anil Ambani experienced the biggest reversal of fortunes, slipping to number 34 on the list from number six last year, as his net worth sank by 31.9bn to 10.1bn – dollars of course. How does it feel to lose One Lakh Sixty Thousand Crores of rupees?
New York is the city of the richest with 55 tycoons. While you think America is crushed under the economic crisis, today they have 10 of the top 20 richest men in the world.
It seems India's Wind Power giant Tulsi of Suzlon lost 90% of his fortune.
But Micro Soft is again Macro Hard – Bill Gates is again No.1.