That's right. If Bill Gates wasn't hellbent on fixing worldwide health and education problems, he would still sit atop Forbes's billionaire list.
The Microsoft co-founder is expected to notch in at number two on the magazine's forthcoming 2011 billionaires list, with an estimated worth of $49 billion, behind Mexican business magnate Carlos Slim (estimated wealth $60 billion). While Warren Buffet is presumed to round out the top three.
But here's the crazy part: according to David Lincoln, director of global valuations at wealth research firm Wealth-X, if Gates didn't give away so much dough, including $28 billion to his Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, he would have a net worth of about $88 billion, making him the richest man in the world.
That means Bill Gates's charitable contributions are more than the combined net worth of Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg. And he's still number two! Seems $30 billion can't hurt him.
But not everyone is impressed with Gates's philanthropy. Carlos Slim has gone on record saying that good businessmen are ones that create jobs by investing their money, "not by being Santa Claus." Whatever, dude.
Keep on, keeping on, Bill. The world thanks you.
[via Reuters]
![Video: Watch Zooey Deschanel's New Apple Ad [Update: Sam Jackson Has One, Too!]](http://cdnl.complex.com/mp/?f=CHANNEL_IMAGES%2FTECH%2F2012%2F04%2Fzooeydeschaneliphone.jpg&w=159&h=100&q=93&interlace=0&clip=1&bg=ffffff&sig=2add55b873db77496092d8a2d5c6b515)
Robert March 8th, 2011 at 10:01 PM
What Carlos Slim is missing is the fact that there is more to being human than just being a good businessman. Clearly, Bill Gates has gone beyond his business is business ethic of yesteryear and opted for the benefit of humanity. The kids the Bill and Melissaa Gates Foundation have helped can go into the worl a continue good deeds. Mr. Slim doesn't really need to be so concerned about Mr. Gates who is doing just fine. And something tell me Mr. Slims main focus of being a good business man is not providing jobs.
Lary March 9th, 2011 at 04:53 AM
Why they knock Bill Gates for giving away 1/3 of his money to charity, is insane. It's his money, he can spend it how he wishes. Shame on Carlos Slim & anyone that has anything negative to say about how Bill spends his money. At least he's not blowing it on drugs and porn stars, like another rich guy that's making top news. If Carlos Slim had an ounce of decency, maybe he would help his countrymen out. Mexico is one of the poorest countries in the world for god sakes. It just shows how big money doesn't give a crap about how the rest of the world lives.
Robert Ravi March 30th, 2011 at 11:25 PM
Here's a great analysis and breakdown of the Forbes Rich List - Also the philanthropic stuff that the billionaires are doing http://flsi.de/f7ho8L