Richest Person in 2017 and Net Worth
In 2017 the top spot on major global wealth lists was held by Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, with a reported net worth of about 86 billion USD according to the Forbes World's Billionaires 2017 ranking source. The list was based on stock prices and currency exchange rates from March 2017, and Gates retained the title for the fourth consecutive year source.
The Forbes ranking counted individuals rather than families, so Gates was listed as the sole richest person in 2017, ahead of Amancio Ortega and Warren Buffett source. His wealth was tied mainly to his stake in Microsoft and other private investments, while his daily spending habits and charitable pledges were also widely reported source.
Main Companies and Sources of Wealth
Microsoft and Other Investments
Gates built the bulk of his 2017 fortune through Microsoft, where he held a large ownership stake and served as chairman source. In addition to Microsoft stock, his portfolio included significant holdings in Berkshire Hathaway and other public and private companies source.
Philanthropy and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
By 2017 Gates had pledged the majority of his wealth to philanthropy through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation source. The foundation's stated focus areas included global health, education, and poverty reduction, and its total assets were reported in annual filings with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service source.
How the Ranking Was Determined
Forbes Methodology
Forbes estimated net worth by combining reported stock holdings, public filings, and interviews, then subtracted known debt source. For 2017, the magazine used stock prices and currency exchange rates from a specific date in March to ensure a consistent snapshot of each billionaire's wealth source.
Comparison With Other Billionaire Lists
Other outlets such as Bloomberg and the Hurun Global Rich List also tracked the richest individuals in 2017, and their rankings were broadly consistent with Forbes source. Differences usually came