#1 Bill Gates (Microsoft)

Name: William "Bill" Gates III
Fortune: Self Made (Microsoft)
Net Worth: 50 Billion
Industry: Software
Billionaire World Rank: #1

Book: Business @ the Speed of Thought - Succeeding in the Digital Economy

Amazon.com Rate:
Price: $6.79 - Buy Now At Amazon.com

From Forbes:
"Microsoft's chief visionary moving further away from day-to-day corporate work. For the first time did not offer a strategy outlook at last year's financial analyst meeting. Instead, prefers to dive into innovative projects, foster collaboration among Microsoft's many divisions. Microsoft aims to be omnipotent, selling software for PCs, servers, cell phones, television set-top boxes, gaming consoles, the Web. At the ripe (tech sector) age of 30, Gates' company impressively beats rivals in profit margins, market capitalization and R&D budget, but its sales growth is slowing to a (recently) single-digit percentage pace. Like elder statesman of computing, IBM, has been investing heavily in its own stock. Diversifies methodically, selling 20 million shares every quarter, reinvesting through Cascade Investment. Big stakes in Canadian National Railway, Republic Services, Berkshire Hathaway. Philanthropy, via $29 billion Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, aimed at fighting infectious disease (hepatitis B, AIDS, malaria) and improving high schools."

#2 Warren Buffet (Berkshire Hathaway)

Name: Warren Buffet
Fortune: Self Made (Berkshire Hathaway)
Net Worth: 42 Billion
Industry: Investments
Billionaire World Rank: #2

Book: The Essays of Warren Buffett - Lessons for Corporate America

Amazon.com Rate:
Price: $22.75 - Buy Now At Amazon.com

From Forbes:
"Revered investor took it on the chin over Berkshire Hathaway's General Re insurance unit; SEC threatened civil fraud suit against General Re Chief Joseph Brandon over questionable transaction with American International Group. Also got it for his board seat at Coca-Cola, where his "independence" might be compromised by Berkshire's ownership of Dairy Queen, which buys lots of Coke products. Buffett: "Do they want us to favor Pepsi?" At Berkshire set in place two governance reforms: regular meetings of directors without Buffett present; whistleblower line for employees. Sitting on $43 billion in cash, hoped to make some big acquisitions last year, "but I struck out." Instead, invested in foreign currencies: $21 billion bet against the dollar and in favor of various other currencies. "In no way does our thinking about currencies rest on doubts about America." Newspaper delivery boy filed first 1040 at age 13; claimed $35 deduction for bicycle. Studied under Benjamin Graham at Columbia. Applied value-investing principles to build Berkshire Hathaway. Portfolio includes utilities (MidAmerican Energy Holdings), insurance (Geico, General Re), apparel (Fruit of the Loom), flight services (FlightSafety, NetJets). Also chunks of American Express, Coca-Cola, Gillette, Wells Fargo. Instructs managers to run a business as if it's the only asset the manager's family will own over the next 100 years. Prefers his investors to buy equities only after careful analysis. "If they insist on trying to time their participation in equities, they should try to be fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when others are fearful." Says he underestimated the severity of certain stocks' overvaluation during the tech bubble. "I talked when I should have walked." No matter. Since taking control of Berkshire 40 years ago, has delivered compound annual return of 22%. "No wonder we tap-dance to work.""

#4 Ingvar Kamprad (Ikea)

Name: Ingvar Kamprad
Fortune: Self Made (Ikea)
Net Worth: 28 Billion
Industry: Retailing
Billionaire World Rank: #4

Book: Leading By Design - The Ikea Story

Amazon.com Rate:
Buy Now At Amazon.com

From Forbes:
"Peddled matches, fish, pens, Christmas cards and other items by bicycle as a teenager. Started selling furniture in 1947. Now his company Ikea, which sells hip designs for the cost conscious, is one of the most beloved retailers in the world, with an almost cultlike following. Ikea, which has stores in 33 countries, continues to expand into new markets such as Guangzhou, China and Moscow. As egalitarian as his brand, Kamprad avoids wearing suits, flies economy class and frequents cheap restaurants. Has been quoted as saying that his luxuries are occasionally buying a nice cravat and eating Swedish fish roe."

#12 Michael Dell (Dell)

Name: Michael Dell
Fortune: Self Made (Dell)
Net Worth: 17.1 Billion
Industry: Technology
Billionaire World Rank: #12

Book: Direct from Dell - Strategies that Revolutionized an Industry

Amazon.com Rate:
Price: $10.85 - Buy Now At Amazon.com

From Forbes:
"Founder, former chief executive of world's largest PC maker feeling tremors at the top. Even though second-quarter revenue spiked up 15% last year to $13.5 billion, stock sank 13%, biggest dip in almost 4 years. Soft-spoken Texan started selling computers from University of Texas dorm room 1984; dropped out to start Dell Computer. Went public in 1988, grew fast with direct-sales model, kept R&D costs low. Ironfisted chief info officer Randall Mott led charge to trim spending; swiped by rival HP in July. Steady seller of Dell stock, pumps cash into private investment firm MSD Capital. Assets include 377-room Four Seasons Resort Maui in Wailea, Hawaii; stakes in IHOP, NorthWestern, Indiana restaurant chain Steak n Shake. Devoted Republican sits on U.S. President's Council of Advisors on Science & Technology. Wife, Susan, created fashion label Phi, sells through Neiman Marcus."

#63 Sumner Redstone (Viacom)

Name: Sumner Redstone
Fortune: Self Made (Viacom)
Net Worth: 7.7 Billion
Industry: Media/Entertainment
Billionaire World Rank: #63

Book: A Passion to Win

Amazon.com Rate:
Buy Now At Amazon.com

From Forbes:
"Viacom chief planned to unlock languishing value of stock in his media company by splitting it into 2 entities: Viacom to retain entertainment properties (Paramount Pictures, MTV, Nickelodeon), newly-listed CBS to operate broadcasting units (including Infinity Broadcasting). Stocks dormant since the split, but looking for synergies with side investment Midway Games; joint operation with MTV Networks to release MTV game titles. Son of drive-in-theater owner took over the business in 1954, built National Amusements into 1,400-screen chain. Daughter, Shari, named nonexecutive vice chairman of the board in June."

#71 George Soros (Hedge Funds)

Name: George Soros
Fortune: Self Made (Hedge Funds)
Net Worth: 7.2 Billion
Industry: Finance
Billionaire World Rank: #71

Book: The Alchemy of Finance

Amazon.com Rate:
Price: $14.16 - Buy Now At Amazon.com

Book: George Soros on Globalization

Amazon.com Rate:
Price: $9.60 - Buy Now At Amazon.com

Book: Soros on Soros - Staying Ahead of the Curve

Amazon.com Rate:
Price: $19.77 - Buy Now At Amazon.com

Book: Open Society - Reforming Global Capitalism

Amazon.com Rate:
Price: $34.00 - Buy Now At Amazon.com

From Forbes:
"Famed financier failed in crusade to defeat President Bush in 2004 after donating more than $25 million to anti-Bush groups MoveOn.org and America Coming Together. Hungarian-born, fled Nazis, attended London School of Economics. Founded Quantum Fund 1969. Currency speculator made $1 billion "breaking" British pound in 1992. Closed Quantum in 2000; now managing $8.3 billion (assets) Quantum Endowment Fund."

#89 Hasso Plattner (SAP)

Name: Hasso Plattner
Fortune: Self Made (SAP)
Net Worth: 6.4 Billion
Industry: Software
Billionaire World Rank: #89

Book: Anticipating Change - Secrets Behind the SAP Empire

Amazon.com Rate:
Buy Now At Amazon.com

From Forbes:
"Cofounded German software giant SAP with four former IBM colleagues. Officially retired, his varied interests keep him busy. A sports enthusiast, he skis, snowboards, plays golf and tennis, and sails; his yacht, Morning Glory, won the Transpacific Yacht Race last July, beating out Roy Disney's Pyewacket. Has set up HassoPlattnerVentures to help incubate young and promising information technology companies. Last year donated his luxury golf estate in South Africa for a concert hosted by Nelson Mandela to raise AIDS awareness."

#112 Michael Bloomberg (Bloomberg L.P.)

Name: Michael Bloomberg
Fortune: Self Made (Bloomberg L.P.)
Net Worth: 5.1 Billion
Industry: Media/Entertainment
Billionaire World Rank: #112

Book: Bloomberg by Bloomberg

Amazon.com Rate:
Price: $12.37 - Buy Now At Amazon.com

From Forbes:
"Will Mayor Mike make Ross Perot jealous? The media mogul mused in his 1997 memoir that he'd make a great "mayor, governor or president." This year named one of America's 5 best mayors by Time. Spent $70 million to win office in 2001 but tightened purse strings for reelection bid by $20 million. Last year donated $140 million to charity. The giving is easy when business is booming: revenue from his data terminals up 12% amid hedge fund boom."

#147 Henry Ross Perot (Investments)

Name: Henry Ross Perot
Fortune: Self Made (Investments)
Net Worth: 4.3 Billion
Billionaire World Rank: #147

Book: My Life & The Principles for Success

Amazon.com Rate:
Buy Now At Amazon.com

From Forbes:
"Former IBM salesman founded Electronic Data Systems 1962, sold to General Motors for $2.5 billion in 1984. Founded rival information services firm Perot Systems in 1988. Stepped down for politics in 1992, making 2 unsuccessful bids for presidency; warned of job losses from free trade agreements. Since then Perot Systems set up subsidiaries in India. Chairman emeritus spends time supporting military veterans. Son Ross Perot Jr. heads Dallas real estate firm Hillwood Development."

#168 Charles Schwab (Discount Stock Brokerage)

Name: Charles Schwab
Fortune: Self Made (Discount Stock Brokerage)
Net Worth: 4 Billion
Industry: Service
Billionaire World Rank: #168

Book: Charles Schwab's New Guide to Financial Independence Completely Revised and Updated - Practical Solutions for Busy People

Amazon.com Rate:
Price: $10.36 - Buy Now At Amazon.com

Book: You're Fifty--Now What? Investing for the Second Half of Your Life

Amazon.com Rate:
Price: $10.91 - Buy Now At Amazon.com

From Forbes:
"Stanford grad started eponymous discount stock brokerage in 1971. Accounts skyrocketed during the Internet boom only to nosedive in tech crash. Relinquished CEO position in 2003; took back a year later amid sagging profits. Plans to remain chairman through January 2007. Dyslexic, started the Charles & Helen Schwab Foundation for children with learning disabilities and AD/HD."

#185 Masatoshi Ito (Retail)

Name: Masatoshi Ito
Fortune: Self Made (Retail)
Net Worth: 3.6 Billion
Industry: Retailing
Billionaire World Rank: #185

Book: The Heart of Doing Business - Memoirs of an Entrepreneur
Buy Now At Amazon.com

From Forbes:
"Honorary chairman of Ito-Yokado, one of Japan's biggest retailers, founded by his family in a seedy area of bombed-out Tokyo after World War II. Last September the superstore chain combined its three different retail chains into one new group, Seven & I Holdings, in part to help defend against takeovers. The $57 billion (combined market cap) group, which now ranks as Asia's largest retail chain, includes 11,103 Seven-Eleven Japans, 582 Denny's Japan and 181 Ito-Yokado supermarkets. The company, which is expanding its convenience store chain into China, also owns 7-Eleven in the U.S."

#200 Richard DeVos (Alticor)

Name: Richard DeVos
Fortune: Self Made (Alticor)
Net Worth: 3.4 Billion
Industry: Service
Billionaire World Rank: #200

Book: Believe

Amazon.com Rate:
Buy Now At Amazon.com

Book: Hope For My Heart Ten Lessons For Life

Amazon.com Rate:
Buy Now At Amazon.com

Book: Compassionate Capitalism

Amazon.com Rate:
Buy Now At Amazon.com

From Forbes:
"Cofounder, along with high school friend Jay Van Andel (d. 2004), of Amway, giant direct-seller of cosmetics, nutritional supplements. Pair started pushing all-purpose cleaner to friends in 1959; now more than 3 million salespeople generating $6 billion a year under Alticor name. Biggest market is Asia: China sales doubled in 2004. DeVos now retired, serves on board; second generation of both families in charge. Family also owns NBA's Orlando Magic."

#245 Richard Branson (Virgin)

Name: Richard Branson
Fortune: Self Made (Virgin)
Net Worth: 2.8 Billion
Industry: Shipping/Trucking/Transport
Billionaire World Rank: #245

Book: Losing My Virginity - How I've Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way

Amazon.com Rate:
Price: $10.88 - Buy Now At Amazon.com

Book: Screw It, Let's Do It - Lessons In Life

Amazon.com Rate:
Price: $6.99 - Buy Now At Amazon.com

From Forbes:
"Irrepressible Branson boldly announced several new ventures this year: he's starting a mobile phone venture in China, moving into bioethanol refining and publishing comic books. That's on top of ongoing initiatives to launch space flights and a U.S. airline. To fund the new activities Branson has been trying to generate cash: he is in the middle of selling part of Virgin Mobile UK to cable operator NTL and taking equity in a combined entity; he did a similar deal with short-haul carrier Virgin Express. His Australian endeavor, the airline Virgin Blue, is locked in a takeover battle. Last October Branson launched the "Branson School of Entrepreneurship at CIDA City Campus" in South Africa."