It must be a good feeling mustn’t it? To be the richest person in the World!

That is what Bill Gates wakes up to every single morning. As of February 2009 he was still ranked the wealthiest person on the planet, with a Net worth of $40 Billion. Just $3 Billion ahead of his next rival Warren Buffet who is 25 years his senior.

Now you must have heard of Bill Gates already, he started Microsoft with Paul Allen and hasn’t looked back ever since. Although the company is hugely successful, they have been criticized for trying to get a monopoly on the computer market and in some cases this has been upheld by courts too. But it doesn’t stop them from becoming one of the most successful businesses on the planet. You are probably using one of their operating systems right now.

Bill Gates actually gave up his position of Microsoft CEO back in 2000. He is still the chairman but decided to move into more charitable work with his Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In 2007 they had already given a massive $28 Billion to charity, making them the second most generous philanthropists in the whole of America.

Bill is married with 3 children. They live in a $125 Million home in Medina, Washington. The property tax alone each year is almost $1 Million!

These days Bill Gates continues with his philanthropy work and enjoys golf, bridge and tennis. He also has investment dealings outside of Microsoft, including being involved with an investment company run by Warren Buffet.

So he keeps himself busy.

Mind you, I think I would if I had $40 Billion in the bank!

Thanks for reading.

Tony