It’s that time again – the time when a list is announced that I couldn’t be further detached from. I’m not talking about the world’s sexiest, or Sydney’s top Dungens & Dragons masters (guess which one of these I fall into), I’m talking about the Forbes World’s Richest People list.
The list celebrates the people around the world who do laps in pools filled with cash and jewels. It’s a celebration of ostentatious opulence, affirmed affluence and prolific power. It’s a celebration of just how large the divide between rich and poor really is.
Topping the 2011 list and edging out tech-nerd Bill Gates is Mexican telecommunications honcho Carlos Slim Helu, whose net worth has been reported at $74b. The figure is over a 10th of the country’s GDP, or roughly 50 million times the annual minimum wage. Mexico consistently rates amongst the world’s poorest countries, despite its promoted holiday destinations for Westerners, like Cancuun.
Notable celebrity top-earners included P Diddy, who headed the Hip Hop’s Wealthiest Artist’s list with $475 mil. Diddy managed to squeeze out fellow cash-cow Jay Z by the skin of his teeth, or $50 mil, which ever way you want to look at it.
Self-professed philanthropic messiah, Bono, was also amongst the top-earners. His band U2 pulled in staggering net earnings of $130mil – that means, every time you click your fingers, U2 earns $4.
Michael Jackson continues to cash checks from the grave, topping the dead celebs list with $275mil. Talk about killing it.
