Mexican telecom giant Carlos Slim has topped Forbes magazine's billionaire's list. The first time since 1994 that an American has not led the rankings.

Mexican telecom giant Carlos Slim has topped Forbes magazine's billionaire's list.

The first time since 1994 that an American has not led the rankings.

Mr Slim's fortune rose by $18.5bn (£12.4bn) last year to $53.5bn.

That beat Microsoft founder Bill Gates ($53bn) into second place, with US investor Warren Buffet ($43bn) third.

In 2009 the total number of billionaires rose from 793 to 1,011, Forbes said.

The year's biggest gainer, Brazilian mining tycoon Eike Batista, broke into the top 10 for the first time.

He came in at number seven, having boosting his wealth by $19.5bn to $27bn.
Forbes billionaires top 5

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