June 21, 1999. Copyright 1999. Graphic News. All rights reserved.

MICROSOFT THREE DOMINATE RICH LIST 

LONDON, June 21, Graphic News: ACCORDING to a survey published by Forbes, the American business magazine, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates remains the richest man on Earth for the third year running. Two other Microsoft bosses, Paul Allen and Steven Ballmer, join him in the top four wealthiest men.
ÒOne of the main changes is the explosion of internet. This phenomenon is not just in the U.S. but spreading around the world,Ó says Forbes co-editor, Kerry Dolan.
Other international tycoons include Rupert Murdoch, whose wealth is put at $7.2bn and media rival Ted Turner who is worth $7.8bn.
Excluded from the list of working billionaires Ð because her wealth comes from political heritage Ð is Queen Elizabeth II, estimated to have a fortune of $16bn if the crown jewels are counted.
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands is worth some $5.2bn, just behind President Saddam Hussein of Iraq with $6bn.
The Iraqi dictatorÕs personal fortune was mostly acquired through plundering the countryÕs treasury and through a smuggling operation masterminded by his son, Uday. President Saddam HusseinÕs illicit activities have placed him in the top fifty of the worldÕs most wealthy people.
But the Iraqi president still fails to be the Arab worldÕs richest man Ð that honour falls to a Saudi prince, Al-Waleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz whose property and investments are worth $15.5 billion dollars.
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