On Friday, "Bloomberg" published its first Bloomberg Billionaires Index of the world's 200 wealthiest people. Surprisingly, "Bloomberg" lists mining and diamonds magnate Beny Steinmetz (56) as Israel's richest man, with a net worth of $8.1 billion. He is ranked 137th on the index.
"Bloomberg" says that Steinmetz's fortune rose by 2.8%, or $220 million, since the beginning of the year.
"Bloomberg's" ranking is a surprise, since "Forbes" has for years listed Idan Ofer, the controlling shareholder in Israel Corporation (TASE: ILCO), as Israel's wealthiest man, with a net worth of $6.2 billion.
Mexican telecommunications mogul Carlos Slim's tops the Bloomberg Billionaires Index; followed by Microsoft's Bill Gates; Zara founder Amancio Ortega of Spain; Warren Buffet, who made his fortune at Berkshire Hathaway; IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad of Sweden; Koch Industries' owners Charles and David Koch of the US; Oracle founder Larry Ellison (the top-ranking Jew in the index); and Christy and Jim Walton, members of the family of Wal-Mart Store's founder.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on November 5, 2012
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