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#53 Kirk Kerkorian - The World's Billionaires

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  • #53 Kirk Kerkorian - The World's Billionaires

    The World's Billionaires

    Billionaire Bacchanalia
    Edited by Luisa Kroll and Allison Fass 03.27.06
    Nearly two-thirds of the planet's very richest people are self-made.

    Canadian playboy Calvin Ayre went down to Costa Rica a decade ago and began
    taking illegal bets over the Internet. Now he's worth $1 billion. Making a
    billion just isn't what it used to be. In its inaugural ranking ofthe world's
    richest people 20 years ago FORBES uncovered some 140 billionaires. Just
    three years ago we found 476. This year the list is a record 793, up 102 from
    last year. They're worth a combined $2.6 trillion, up 18% since last March.
    Their average net worth: $3.3 billion.

    Strong stock markets around the world (the U.S. being the notable exception)
    contributed to this surge in wealth. India, whose BSE SENSEX market was up
    54% in the past 12 months, is home to 10 new billionaires, more than any other
    country besides the U.S.

    Notable newcomers include Tulsi Tanti, a former textile trader whose
    alternative energy company owns Asia's largest windfarm; Vijay Mallya, the liquor
    tycoon behind Kingfisher beer; Kushal Pal Singh, India's biggest real estate
    developer; and Anurag Dikshit (pronounced `dix-sit'), another online gaming
    mogul, who made his fortune when he and two Americans took their PartyGaming
    poker company public in London last June.
    Russia, whose RTS stock exchange was up 108%, benefited from strong gains in
    commodities prices. The surge swelled the fortunes of its 33 billionaires,
    including 7 newcomers who join the list. China now has 8 billionaires, four
    times as many as last year. The U.S. is home to 44 new billionaires and
    commands nearly half of the fortunes on the roster.

    Bill Gates retains his title as the world's richest person for the
    twelfth
    straight year, proving that while it's getting easier to make a billion, the
    same can't be said for making $50 billion.
    Twelve people return to the list. Thirty-nine people depart from it. Seven
    fortunes were broken up among family members, usually siblings, adding 15
    individuals to the ranks. Seventy-eight women make the list, 10 more than last
    year, though only 6 are self-made. Hind Hariri, daughter of slain Lebanese
    prime minister Rafik Hariri, who is eight months younger than Germany=80=99s Prince
    Albert von Thurn und Taxis, is, at 22, the list's youngest member.

    #53 Kirk Kerkorian
    Age: 88
    Fortune: self made
    Source: Investments, casinos

    Net Worth: 8.7

    Country Of Citizenship: United States
    Residence: Los Angeles, California, United States, North America
    Industry: Investments
    Marital Status: divorced, 2 children

    High School, Diploma

    Low-key investor with eighth-grade education scored big with $7.9 billion
    takeover of Mandalay Bay Resorts in 2004. MGM Mirage now owns more than half
    the hotel rooms on the Las Vegas Strip, but stock down 14% since July. Born in
    Fresno to Armenian immigrants, flew planes across Atlantic during World War
    II. First fortune: selling Trans International Airlines for $104 million
    profit in the 1960s. Invested proceeds in Sin City: acquired Flamingo hotel 1967,
    built International hotel 1969. Sold both properties to Hilton Hotels in
    1970. Built first MGM Grand (now Bally's), opened second incarnation 1993.

    Took over Steve Wynn's (see) Mirage Resorts in $6.4 billion buyout 2000.
    Longtime romance with MGM movie studio now over: 3-time studio owner closed$5
    billion deal with Sony, 3 private-equity firms and cable giant Comcast last
    April; netted $1.8 billion. Former DaimlerChrysler shareholder now buying up
    General Motors stock; owns 10% stake, value down $650 million since September.
    Tennis junkie, said to play every day.



    REPORTED BY Cristina von Zeppelin, Tatiana Serafin, Suzanne Hoppough, Kiyoe
    Minami, Helen Coster, Kerry A. Dolan, Russell Flannery, Evan Hessel, Megan
    Johnston, Matthew Miller, Matthew Swibel.
    ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY Kiri Blakeley, Justin Doebele, Chandrani Ghosh, Lea
    Goldman, Naazneen Karmali, Maxim Kashulinsky,
    Josephine Lee, Forbes Russia, Nathan Vardi, Kirill Vishnepolsky, Chaniga
    Vorasarun.
    RESEARCH BY Phyllis Berman, Heidi Brown, Tomas Kellner, Ritu Kalra, Susan
    Kitchens, Deborah Orr, Forbes Poland, Forbes Turkey.
    PHOTO EDITOR Gail Toivanen.
    DATABASE Mitchel Rand.

    Forbes.com Inc.=84¢
    From: Baghdasarian
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