Devoted to understanding the basics and fundamentals of investing

Bill Gates has been surpassed by the most legendary investor of them all as the richest man in the world. Warren Buffett, the most famous investor in the world, saw his fortune rise by $10 billion, reaching a new high of a stunning $62 billion. This is the first time in 13 years that Bill Gates has not topped the Forbes 400 list of the richest men in the world.

Carlos Slim, the Mexican telecom tycoon, rose into second place, with his worth now sitting at $60 billion. Slim has seen his fortune rise by $11 billion in the past year. The most amazing number though is the fact that in just the past two years Carlos Slim has very nearly doubled his total fortune. Stock in his most significant holding, American Movil (NYSE:AMX), has most certainly helped out a large amount.

One interesting fact about the richest of the rich is how diverse this group has become. In 2006 half of the top 20 billionaires were from the United States, now that number sits at just four. What areas have been producing more of the richest individuals in the world of late? Russia stands out as a huge winner in producing billionaires, while India and China have been gaining as well.

While Buffett has been amassing an amazing fortune, his days at the top are likely numbered for a couple of reasons. Carlos Slim seems destined to take the top spot as his amazing growth in wealth continues. Also, Buffett has pledged to donate huge amounts of his wealth to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Buffett is expected to give the foundation at least $31 billion of his wealth.

While it is quite surprising to open one of these stories and not see Bill Gates picture all over the story as the richest man in the world, there certainly will not be anyone shedding any tears for him, as he still sits on an amazing fortune of $58 billion.