South African mining magnate Nicky Oppenheimer is among the 100 richest dollar-billionaires in the world, according to Forbes Magazine's 2009 list of The World's Billionaires.
Oppenheimer ranks 98th on Forbes Rich List
Oppenheimer is also among the few billionaires who rose up in this year's rankings as the global economic crises has made the world's richest people a little poorer. Oppenheimer jumped 75 places from his 173rd place ranking in 2008.
According to Forbes, the collective net worth of the world's billionaires fell by $2 trillion to $2.4 trillion. Not even the world's richest were left unscathed. Bill Gates who is ranked no.1 on this year's list, lost $18 billion over the past year. Warren Buffett, last year's No. 1, saw his fortune decline by $25 billion, bringing him to no.2 this year, and Mexican telecom titan Carlos Slim Helú also lost $25 billion, dropping one spot to No. 3.
Other South Africans featured on this year's list also felt the pinch of the economy. Richemont and Remgro chairman Johann Rupert plunged 317 places, from 284th spot last year to 601 this year as $3.8 billion of his fortune evaporated, leaving him with $1.2 billion (about R11.7 billion).
Businessman Patrice Motsepe lost $1.1 billion (about R10 billion) of his wealth in the past 12 months, falling 56 places, from 503rd spot last year to 559th this year. His fortune was currently estimated to be worth $1.3 billion (R12.7 billion), down from $2.4 billion last year.
The 47 year old however remains South Africa's first black dollar billionaire.
To see the complete list of 2009's Forbes Billionnaires visit www.forbes.com
Source: SAGN / Sapa
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