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10th Sep 2016

Sorry Bill! Microsoft founder is no longer the richest man in the world

Tony Cuddihy

Bill Gates is no longer the richest person in the world, according to Forbes Magazine.

The multi-billionaire founder of Microsoft has seen his record overtaken by the Spanish businessman Amancio Ortega, who founded the Zara clothing chain.

Ortega’s net worth is believed to have reached $78bn, with Gates lagging behind with a paltry $77.4bn.

Breadline stuff.

The 80-year-old Ortega is publicity shy. He hails from La Coruna in Spain, left school at 13 to work in a clothes shop, founded Zara from his living room with his wife and ultimately launched the Inditex fashion group, of which he is chairman.

MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - JUNE 29:  Amancio Ortega attends the Monaco International Jumping as part of Global Champion Tour on June 29, 2012 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco.  (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Ortega still eats with his employees in the staff canteen, and wears a shirt and blazer that are not even from the Zara chain.

He reportedly still buys coffee from the same coffee shop he has visited for years.

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