March 11, 2012, Updated June 4, 2012

Forbes has released its annual billionaires list and included 13 Israeli moguls on it.

Idan Ofer, who inherited his $6.2 billion wealth from his father Sammy, is considered Israel’s richest person. He placed 161st on the global rich list.
The late Sammy Ofer built his fortune on shipping and chemicals. The Ofers holding company Israel Corporation, is associated with Israel Chemicals. They also own Zim shipping lines.

Though Idan and his brother, Eyal, claim to have equal net worth, Forbes slotted Eyal in 173rd on its list, putting his fortune at just $5.8 billion. Eyal is considered Israel’s third wealthiest person.

Israel’s second richest person is mining magnate Beny Steinmetz with $5.9 billion (No. 169 on Forbes list). Steinmetz acquired his fortune through real estate and mining, notably in diamonds through his company BSG Investments. According to Globes, Steinmetz is planning a public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange of the largest diamond mine in Sierra Leone at a value of $2-3 billion.

Other Israelis to make the money-spinning list are Stef Wertheimer and family (255th place; $4.2 billion); Shari Arison (288th place; $3.9 billion); Arnon Milchan (290th place; $3.8 billion), Alexander Machkevich (418th place; $2.8 billion); Gil Shwed and Yitzhak Tshuva (tied for 683rd place; $1.9 billion); Lev Leviev
(764th place; $1.7 billion); Marius Nacht and Teddy Sagi (tied for 1015th place; $1.2 billion); and Morris Kahn (1153rd place; $1 billion).

Mexico’s Carlos Slim Helu retained the title of world’s richest man for the third year in a row with a fortune estimated at $69 billion. Bill Gates, who is now known as the most generous person on the planet (he’s given away $28 billion as a philanthropist), came in second place with a net worth of $61 billion.
Rounding out the Top Three richest people on the planet is American business magnate Warren Buffett, who has stakes in Iscar, and is said to be worth $44 billion.

 

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