Skip to footer

100 richest people: Meet the 10 richest Americans

The 100 richest people in the world gained $241 billion in net worth last year, according to Bloomberg's Billionaires Index. Americans dominated the list, occupying five of the top 10 spots. This countdown of the top 10 wealthiest Americans features a casino mogul, software tycoons, and a lot of Wal-Mart money. 

2. Warren Buffett

Shuji Kajiyama/AP/File
In this 2011 file photo, Warren Buffett attends the opening ceremony of a plant at the headquarters of Tungaloy Corp. in Iwaki city, in northern Japan.

Net worth: $50.2 billion

Wealth source: Berkshire Hathaway

Residence: Omaha, Neb.

World Rank: 4th

Mr. Buffett is widely considered the best investor of the past century. His investment firm Berkshire Hathaway operates a broad range of businesses, including Geico insurance and MidAmerican Energy. It also owns over $1 billion in Coca-Cola stock, as well as shares of Procter & Gamble and American Express.

Buffett has pledged to give away nearly all of his wealth to charitable causes, and is lately famous for being an outspoken advocate of higher tax rates for wealthy Americans. 

9 of 10
You've read 3 of 3 free articles. Subscribe to continue.
CSM logo

Why is Christian Science in our name?

Our name is about honesty. The Monitor is owned by The Christian Science Church, and we’ve always been transparent about that.

The Church publishes the Monitor because it sees good journalism as vital to progress in the world. Since 1908, we’ve aimed “to injure no man, but to bless all mankind,” as our founder, Mary Baker Eddy, put it.

Here, you’ll find award-winning journalism not driven by commercial influences – a news organization that takes seriously its mission to uplift the world by seeking solutions and finding reasons for credible hope.

Explore values journalism About us