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Economic Downturn Hits Super-Rich

Posted on 27. Apr, 2009 in Saving money

The Sunday Times Rich List 2009 reveals that Britain’s wealthiest individuals have lost £155 billion in the last year. The top 1,000 richest people in the country now have £258 billion between them, down from 2008’s record of £413 billion.

Over the past 12 months the number of billionaires has fallen from 75 to 43. Lakshmi Mittal, the steel tycoon, is top again with £10.8 billion. Roman Abramovich, the Russian oligarch and Chelsea football club owner, is in second place, although his personal fortune has fallen by 40%, to £7 billion from £11.7 billion.

The richest British-born billionaire is the land and property owning Duke of Westminster, who has seen his wealth shrink to £6.5 billion from £7 billion.

Source: BBC 25-04-2009

Tags: Economic Downturn, Rich List