Richest People | featured news

Liang Wengen of Sany Heavy Industry is the new number one with a net worth of $9.3 billion, followed by Robin Li.

They're worth a combined $45 billion, a new record. South Korea's economy is quickly recovering from the recession thanks to rebounding domestic demand and favorable export conditions. So, too, are its wealthiest citizens, who got a boost from a strong won, which is up 20% in the past year (their fortunes are measured in U.S. dollars). The nation's 40 Richest are worth a record $45 billion, up $18 billion from last year and $4 billion from the previous 2008 record.

China ranks second only to the United States in the number of billionaires, according to an annual report of the 1,000 richest people in the country.