Ellison Tops Jews on Forbes Billionaires List
Oracle founder Larry Ellison is top ranked among Jewish individuals appearing on the Forbes magazine’s annual list of world billionaires, coming in at sixth with $36 billion.
Ellison held the same ranking last year but with $28 billion.
Casino and hotel magnate Sheldon Adelson, with $24.9 billion, moved up to No. 14 from 78. Adelson and his family have donated at least $20 million to a Super PAC supporting GOP presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich. Adelson also is a major giver to Birthright Israel.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg was the next Jewish person at 20th, with $22 billion – like Ellison, $8 billion richer than last year – followed by George Soros at 22nd, up from 35th with $20 billion.
Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page were tied for 24th with $18.7 billion each.
Other Jews to make the top 100 included Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg at 35th with $15.5 billion; Brazilian banking and investment mogul Joseph Safra at 52 with $13.8 billion; Russian steel magnate Roman Abramovich at 68 with $12.1 billion; and U.S. businessman Ronald Perelman at 69 with $12 billion.
Thirteen Israelis made the list, down from 16 last year. Eyal and Idan Ofer became the two newest Israelis on the list, inheriting their fortunes from their father, shipping magnate Sammy Ofer. Israel’s richest man died last June after coming in 79th last year with 10.3 billion. Idan Ofer entered the list at 161st with $6.2 billion and Eyal Ofer was No. 173 with $5.8 billion.
Carnival Cruise CEO Micky Arison dropped from 62nd to 223rd with $4.7 billion, just months after one of his cruise ships sank near Italy.
Mexican telecom businessman Carlos Slim Helu and his family topped the list with $69 billion.
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