Compilation of almost forgotten stories retold

This 25th year of tracking global wealth was one to remember. The 2011 Billionaires List breaks two records: total number of listees (1,210) and combined wealth ($4.5 trillion). This horde surpasses the gross domestic product of Germany, one of only six nations to have fewer billionaires this year. BRICs led the way: Brazil, Russia, India and China produced 108 of the 214 new names. These four nations are home to one in four members, up from one in ten five years ago. Before this year only the U.S. had ever produced more than 100 billionaires. China now has 115 and Russia 101.

Atop the heap is Mexico’s Carlos Slim Helu, who added $20.5 billion to his fortune, more than any other billionaire. The telecom mogul, who gets 62% of his fortune from America Movil, is now worth $74 billion and has pulled far ahead of his two closest rivals. Bill Gates, No. 2, and Warren Buffett, No. 3, both added a more modest $3 billion to their piles and are now worth $56 billion and $50 billion, respectively. Gates, who now gets 70% of his fortune from investments outside of Microsoft, has actually been investing in the Mexican stock market and has holdings in Mexican Coke bottler Femsa and Grupo Televisa.

While nearly all emerging markets showed solid gains, wealth creation is moving at an especially breakneck speed in Asia-Pacific. The region now has a record 332 billionaires, up from 234 a year ago and 130 at the depth of the financial crisis in 2009. Sizzling stock markets are behind the surge. Three-fourths of Asia’s 105 newcomers get the bulk of their fortunes from stakes in publicly traded companies, 25 of which have been public only since the start of 2010.

America’s wealthiest still dominate the global ranks, but the U.S. is losing its grip. One in three billionaires is an American, down from nearly one out of two a decade ago. It has 10 more than last year but 56 fewer than its 2008 peak. The U.S. is adding new billionaires at a much slower pace; just 6% of its 413 billionaires are new this year compared with 47% of China’s and 30% of Russia’s.

Still there are plenty of inspiring newcomers who figured out clever ways to get rich. The most obvious example is the success of Facebook, whose soaring valuation over the past couple of years–based on the most recent institutional round the company is worth $50 billion–has spawned six billionaires. Leading the group is Facebook’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg, whose fortune jumped 238% to $13.5 billion in the past year. Also joining him in the world ranks are his cofounders Eduardo Saverin and Dustin Moskovitz, its first president Sean Parker (played by Justin Timberlake in The Social Network) and the Russian Internet investor Yuri Milner. Moskovitz, 26, is eight days younger than his former college roommate Zuckerberg, making him the world’s youngest billionaire.

The frenzy among big investors for all things social pushed up private market values of online gaming outfit Zynga and online group-buying site Groupon, creating two more new billionaires, Mark Pincus (who taught people to farm on Facebook) and Eric Lefkofsky (who was Groupon’s lead investor).

Other notable American newcomers include Do Won and Jin Sook Chang, the cofounders of Forever21, and Chris Cline, who owns 3 billion tons of coal reserves, mostly in Illinois.
Why do we spend so much time counting other people’s money? Because these moguls have the power to shape our world. Telecom billionaire turned prime minister Najib Mikati is keeping Lebanon’s government together. Ernesto Bertarelli, who lost the America’s Cup to Larry Ellison last year, is now focusing on saving the oceans from mass extinction. Gates and Buffett have already traveled to three continents working to change giving practices among the ultra-rich.

Where their inspiration leads, we will follow.

A note on methodology:

More than 50 reporters in 13 countries worked on compiling the list this year, valuing individuals’ public holdings, private companies, real estate, yachts, art and cash. Net worths were locked in using stock prices and exchange rates from Feb. 14.

For more on all 1,210 of The World’s Billionaires, go to the Forbes Website.

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Pampi Lacson has finally ended speculations about the status of his marriage with actress Jodi Sta. Maria. In his statement aired last Sunday, March 6, on TV5’s “Paparazzi,” Pampi admitted he and Jodi had indeed separated.

“Inaamin ko na na ang pagsasama naming mag-asawa ay kasalukuyang dumadaan sa isang matinding pagsubok. Isang pagsubok ito na pinagsisikapan naming mahinahon na malampasan alang alang sa aming anak at kapwa pamilya. It has been seven months since we silently parted ways,” the statement said.

Pampi, son of Sen. Panfilo Lacson, clarified that he did not physically hurt Jodi as what rumors claim. He also appealed to the public not to solely blame him for whatever happened to their marriage. The negative issues according to the statement had been causing more pain to their family, most especially to their son, Thirdy. Jodi herself corroborated Pampi’s denial in a recent radio interview with dzMM anchor Jobert Sucaldito.

“We would have maintained that silence until we resolve the issue about our marriage when the malicious and totally eroneous reports came out. I particularly would like to take exception to accusations that our situation came about solely out of my wrongdoings. Sa mga nagpaparatang na pinagbubuhatan ko ng kamay ang aking asawa, nagkakamali po kayo. Hindi ko po magagawa na manakit ng babae lalo na kung siya ang ina ng aking anak. Hindi po makakatulong sa aming kalagayan ang ganitong maling paratang. Sa halip, nagdudulot lamang ito ng dagdag na pasakit di lamang sa kalooban namin ni Jodi kundi pati na rin sa aming anak na si Thirdy. Sa ngayon wala na pong ibang mahalaga sa akin kung di ang magandang kinabukasan ng aking anak. Patuloy po akong umaasa sa inyong panalangin at pang-unawa.”

Meanwhile Jodi has chosen to keep mum about the issue after Pampi’s statement was released.

Star Magic, which handles Jodi’s career, instead released its official statement aired on ABS-CBN’s “SNN” on the night of Tuesday, March 8. “We respect Jodi’s decision not to comment on her marital issue. We hope that the public understands as Jodi and Pampi care for the welfare of their son. Thank you,” the Star Magic statement said.

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