Michael Phelps - 2008 Olympics Swimming World Records

For Michael Phelps, it's not enough to just set a new standard. He has to demolish the old one. Winningest Olympian ever? He's two golds past that already and not finished yet, just over halfway to his goal of breaking Mark Spitz's record seven in a single Olympics.World records? In a sport measured down to the hundredths for a reason, Phelps sets a pace to crush one of them by more than four seconds.

Even when his goggles malfunctioned during the first race of a golden morning in China, the gangly, 23-year-old American squinted through water-filled lenses on the way to, yes, a world record. Of course, he was none too happy to beat it by only six-hundredths. So un-Phelps-like.

"In the circumstances, not too bad I guess," he said with a shrug. "I know I can go faster."

No wonder his competitors realize they're merely swimming for second.

Monumental challenges for mere mortals seem almost inconsequential to Phelps.

"He is just a normal person, but maybe from a different planet," said Russia's Alexander Sukhorukov, fresh off a thrashing by the Phelps-led Americans but still good enough to have a silver around his neck.

READ MORE - Michael Phelps - 2008 Olympics Swimming World Records Read more...

Most number of Dishes on Display in a Single Day World Record 2010

Filipino chefs and students gathered in Manila today in a bid to break the Guiness World Record for 'The most number of dishes on display in a single day'.

As the event held at the Araneta coliseum was sponsored by Kraft Eden cheese, the culinary experts were required to come up with 5,000 meals containing cheese to beat the previous record, set by India in 2007, of 4,668 dishes.

Cooks from local esteemed culinary institutions including Regina Carmeli, St. Paul College, Centro Escolar University, Emilio Aguinaldo College, La Consolacion College and Arellano University all tried their best to come up with innovative and tasty cheese treats.'We hold in our hands the innate Filipino creativity and love for food that when put together can empower our pride for our country.'

Guinness World Records confirmed they are waiting to receive evidence from the event before they will be able to confirm whether the group have broken the world record.

READ MORE - Most number of Dishes on Display in a Single Day World Record 2010 Read more...

Mike celebrates running world record 2010

Ex-soldier Mike Buss, 35, ran 517.3 miles (832.4km) on a treadmill at the Brunel Shopping Centre,beating the previous record of 468 miles.Mr Buss has been running on the treadmill for 20 out of every 24 hours.He said he was aiming to break 20 world records every year and raise £1m for the Help for Heroes charity.
This is now the fourth time his name appears in the Guinness Book of World Records after continuous cycling, running with a kit bag and running in a chemical warfare suit.

Mike, 35, said: “I feel brilliant – it was the biggest world record I was going for this year.

“It was the toughest challenge I’ve ever done and is the toughest world record in the book. I don’t think there’s any other endurance world record that comes close to that one. The crowd’s support was fantastic. They came out in all weathers to cheer me on and donate money for charity and it gave me the buzz to carry on.”

Mike added: “I’m actually feeling all right. I do recover very quickly. When my body cools down I will end up getting stiff muscles so I’ll have a massage to prevent that as much as possible.

“I’m looking forward to a bit of stew which is on the go and get back into as much of a normal routine as possible.

“I’ll be in light training today and be back into full training by Friday.”

Mike is now on a mission to break 20 world endurance records in just 12 months – a feat that has never been achieved before.

One of the faces in the crowd supporting Mike was Lance Corporal Matthew Croucher from Solihull in the West Midlands.

In February last year he hit the national headlines after his quick-thinking saved his companions from certain death in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

He triggered a trip wire dropped to the ground and covered a grenade with his rucksack. He was blown into the air and the backpack was shredded, but he survived.

Matt was later awarded The George Cross – one of the highest military decorations for acts of gallantry. There are currently only 19 living recipients in the country.

READ MORE - Mike celebrates running world record 2010 Read more...

Blind grandmother's record breaking fish 'weighed two Cheryl Coles

A blind grandmother from London, Sheila Penfold, has entered the record books for
catching the biggest ever freshwater fish by a British woman.

The 56 year-old, from Wandsworth, south west London, was nearly dragged into the river when the monster catfish took her bait.

Mrs Penfold, who is 5ft 3ins tall, used a bait of halibut pellets to snare the 8ft 2ins long catfish on the River Ebro near Barcelona.

She had to be directed by husband Alan and son Arthur as she tried to reel it in because she couldn't see the aquatic beast due to her poor eyesight.

But after a 30 minute fight Mrs Penfold finally landed the prized catch that weighed 214lbs or 15st 4lbs, or the equivilent of two Cheryl Coles.

The specimen was so big it could only be caught after her husband, a 62-year-old retired gardener, Arthur and two colleagues to heave it into a weighing slip.

The fish dwarfed her husband's best effort of 176lbs during the fishing trip to Spain and set a record for the biggest freshwater fish caught by a British woman before.
It is also the biggest fish caught by a woman in Spain.


Mrs Penfold, who is partially sighted but registered blind, said she only realised how big her catch was when she saw it close up.

"I was exhausted but elated afterwards," she said.

"The record has taken a while to sink in.

"I'm still walking around with a smile on my face."

She added: "But it goes to show that just because you are blind it doesn't stop you breaking records like this."

"I had three rods lined up on the bank and when one of them tipped over Arthur told me which one it was.

"I grabbed hold of it and was immediatly pulled towards the water. Luckily I managed to stop myself and I started to reel it in."

She continued: "But for some reason I turned round and said that I didn't think it was going to be a big one.

"Then all of a sudden it took off again and it took the line of the reel.

"I spent about half-an-hour reeling it in. When it broke the surface of the water Alan told me it was a big size.

"I saw it for the first time when it was near the edge and it looked a monster."

After having her picture taken with it, she returned the catfish back into the water in good health.

She added: "Alan wasn't at all jealous and was really pleased for me."

Mr Penfold said: "She isn't really a big woman but she stuck to it and got it in the end, although it took everything out of her.

"She did brilliantly, especially as she is registered blind."

The record for the biggest fish caught in Britain by a woman is a 69lbs 8oz catfish caught by Bev Street, 46, from Skegness, Lincs.

Mike Heylin, of the British Records Fish Committee, said: "I would think this is the biggest freshwater fish caught by a British woman.

READ MORE - Blind grandmother's record breaking fish 'weighed two Cheryl Coles Read more...

Lisa Courtney has the world's largest collection of Pokemon Memorabilla

When a bullied schoolgirl turned to collecting Pokémon for comfort, she couldn’t have known that 12 years later she would be a record breaker.

But 21-year-old Lisa Courtney – who claims the toys helped her cope with years of taunts about her disabled arm at school – officially has the world’s largest collection.

She celebrated the Guinness World Record award and her 21st birthday in Japan,
the birthplace of Pokémon. ‘I fell in love with them straight away and my collection
started growing,’ said Ms Courtney, from Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.

‘I was severely bullied at senior school, both verbally and physically.
The bullying was quite bad and I was tearful most days. Coming home from school,
the Pokémon really helped me through the hard times.’

Her collection boasts more than 13,000 different pieces of Pokémon merchandise –
including her favourite character, Absol. Ms Courtney said she was delighted to enter the Gamers Edition of the Guinness Book of World Records.

READ MORE - Lisa Courtney has the world's largest collection of Pokemon Memorabilla Read more...

RP mango certified as world's biggest

The Guinness Book of World Records has certified a 3.5-kilo mango from southern Philippines to be the world's biggest. Radio dzBB reported early Monday that the mango, which surpassed the 2.4-kilo mango from Canada, was a product of Sergio at Maria Socorro Bodiongan of Iligan City. It was submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records last September.

It was also the highlight of the Sundayag activity led by the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 10 in Cagayan de Oro last year. The DA in Region 10 also rejoiced over the recognition of the mango. Suzie Roa of DA Region 10 said it was a feat for local agriculture.

Roa said they have given the Bodiongan family cash incentives for the feat.

Source: GMANews.TV

READ MORE - RP mango certified as world's biggest Read more...

Felix Baumgartner to set a skydive world record

A daredevil skydiver has announced plans to leap to earth from the edge of space - setting four world records in the process.

Felix Baumgartner will jump from a record 120,000 feet and will even set an altitude record for the highest manned balloon flight just getting there.

On his way down the Austrian will set a distance record for longest free-fall and is expected to become the first person to break the speed of sound with his own body.

It is thought that the fall - due to happen this spring/summer - will last more than five minutes.

Maybe Baumgartner should think of another record to break on the way down… like seeing how many crackers he can eat.

The records Felix Baumgartner will set

1. Altitude record for freefall
2. Distance record for longest freefall
3. Speed record for fasted freefall by breaking the speed of sound with the human body
4. Altitude record for the highest manned balloon flight

In 1960, United States Air Force Captain Joe Kittinger, made aerospace history by freefalling from 102,800 feet. This achievement contributed valuable data that set the groundwork for the United States’ first space program.

Kittinger has been advising Felix on operational safety and bringing his extensive experience to the programme. Over the last two years he has been preparing himself mentally and physically in order to attempt this new challenge, which has already begun to provide important learnings.

Source: newslite.tv

READ MORE - Felix Baumgartner to set a skydive world record Read more...

World's oldest living male conjoined twins set world record 2010

DAYTON (Ohio) - TWO US men who've been certified as the world's oldest living male conjoined twins are moving in with their little brother.

A charity in Machias, New York, called the Christian Youth Corps Inc says it's helping 58-year-old Donnie and Ronnie Galyon by modifying the home of their brother, Jim Galyon, in the spring. The twins live in a tiny home in Dayton, Ohio. Their brother lives in nearby Beavercreek.

Donnie and Ronnie are listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. They're joined at the torso. They have four arms and four legs and separate hearts and stomachs. They share a lower intestine.

The twins retired from a touring carnival. They are in declining health and could face going into an institution. But their brother says he wants to keep them at home so they're free and independent.

Source: buzzfeed.com

READ MORE - World's oldest living male conjoined twins set world record 2010 Read more...

World's largest snow cone sets world record 2010

Paul Zajac and Station 885 Restaurant broke the world record for the world's largest snow cone previously held by Mammoth Mountain Ski Area in Mammoth Lakes, California. The Snow Cone ended with a weight of 5,714 lbs surpassing the previous record of 4,640 lbs (2.104 tons). The old record was beat at 2:15 pm with the final weight being finished at 4:30 pm. The attempt began at 11:00 am.

Paul Zajac and Station 885 are awaiting verification from The Guiness Book of World Records. The snow cone was constructed with 5,000 lbs of ice and contained 85 gallons of syrup (850 lbs). The new world record was celebrated by giving out over 2,400 free samples of the snow cone to the more than 3,000 spectators present. This attempt corresponded with the Plymouth International Ice Festival.

This World Record was completed by the collaboration of Paul Zajac, Station 885 Restaurant, C. Cretors & Co., ATS Packaging of Plymouth, PianoCrafters of Plymouth, Metro Scale Company, Jogue Northville Laboratories, Double H Manufacturing, Central Distributors, Entourage Video Production, Gordon Food Service, Granite and Remodeling Plus, Graphic Visions Inc., Home City Ice, Kahuna Construction, PCA of American, Plymouth Kiwanis, Detroit Popcorn Company, and Royal Painting.

Paul Zajac is the General Manager of Station 885 Restaurant. Station 885 has been in business for 24 years. Station 885 Restaurant is owned by the Costanza Family and operated in Historic Old Village Plymouth.


Source: 1888pressrelease.com

READ MORE - World's largest snow cone sets world record 2010 Read more...

Dominican & David Shulman set high speed record for radio control airplanes

SANTO DOMINGO. - The Dominican Axel Haché and the American David Shulman made history by entering the Guinness Book of World Records, when their radio control airplane flew at 542 kilometers per hour at the Hobbyland runway on January 18, breaking the previous 395 kilometers-per-hour mark.

The remote pilots used the JMP Firebird airplane with AMT Netherlands Olympus turbine, especially made for the trial, supplied by the company’s owner Tom Cook and assembled by the Venezuelan Frank Dalbon.

Hache and Shulman received the certificate as record holders in their category, in a press conference held in Sophia' Restaurant.

Source: dominicantoday.com

READ MORE - Dominican & David Shulman set high speed record for radio control airplanes Read more...

World record in jump-roping set by Californians

World record in jump-roping set by Californians
world largest jump record,world record 2010" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432099267057897554" border="0">
Around California at 9 a.m. on Monday, the sound of more than 80,000 jump ropes swinging at once will be heard.

The California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, in association with the American Heart Association and the Governor’s Challenge, is hosting 84,000 people across California to break the Guinness World Record for most people jump roping at the same time on Feb. 1.

“[CAHPERD] is turning 80 years old this year, so we’re turning it up this year” said CAHPERD Executive Director Drisha Leggitt, who initiated the project.

About a year ago, Leggitt began looking for a way to make a statement for exercise in California and found the Guinness Book of World Records’ official record for most people to jump rope at one time was 59,000, set by Australia in May, 2008.

“We started talking with CAHPERD in December, looking how we could be part of this great event,” Pittman said. “Kathy Weninger, a member of the PTSA, and the physical education department head, Debi Hayos have been working together to make sure all of our first period PE classes can participate.”

“I got an e-mail last fall from CAHPERD and they sent it out to all the jump rope teams in the area,” said Weninger, who’s also the coordinator for one of the local competitive jump rope teams, the Foothill Force.

Weninger then spoke about it at a PTSA meeting and the rest is history.

In addition to the school’s supply of jump ropes, the PTSA donated more than 70 to the cause, Pittman added. Teachers with first period open have been encouraged to participate and Pittman plans on doing some rope skipping herself.

“I’m very excited for this,” Pittman said. “I’m bringing my own jump rope. We sent e-mails to the PTSA parents asking them if they would like to join.”

The coordination efforts have been difficult, Leggitt said, but that the majority of the work has been in getting the agreed upon judges and meeting the standards of the Guinness Record keepers.

“They really make you jump through some hoops,” Leggitt said. “They receive about 3,000 requests a day and so now it’s very difficult to get a recognized attempt.”

The rules state that in order for the attempt to be recognized, two independent witnesses per jump rope site—volunteers who can’t be employed by the school or whatever company is hosting the competition at a given site.

Each site will have a log sheet. Participants will sign in and the judge will verify that each person who signs in is who they say they are.

Then the Guinness Book agency needs two letters from each site—one per judge—explaining what took place during the record-breaking event.

Source: lacanadaonline.com

READ MORE - World record in jump-roping set by Californians Read more...

World's oldest and most expensive camera set world record

A Giroux “Daguerreotype” – the world’s first commercially-produced camera – is expected to set a world record price when it goes up for auction this May at WestLicht Auctions in Vienna. The previously undocumented camera has been in private ownership in northern Germany for generations and is in remarkable condition given it is 170 years old.

The wooden sliding-box camera was made in Paris in September 1839 by Alphonse Giroux, the brother-in-law of Louis Jacques Mande Daguerre, the inventor of the first practicable photographic process. Daguerre even signed the camera to verify its authenticity. Only a few of these cameras are known to exist worldwide and all of those are in public museums.

Every detail including the plaque signed by Daguerre, the lens, the black velvet interior and the ground-glass screen are in their original state and the camera also comes with the extremely rare original instructions in German. These instructions, entitled, “Praktische Beschreibung des Daguerreotyp’s” were published by Georg Gropius in Berlin 1839 and feature 24 12x20cm pages with 18 illustrations in 5 plates showing the equipment used for producing Daguerreotypes in accordance with Daguerre’s invention.

The cameras produced by Daguerre’s brother-in-law are more opulently finished that those of the competition and the selling price of 400 Francs was very high, representing approximately the annual income of an average working man at the time. There is no record of the total number of cameras that Giroux produced, but since cheaper and improved cameras came onto the market relatively quickly it is assumed that the numbers were limited.

Making Daguerrotypes is a relatively involved process and the camera was originally sold with all the equipment necessary for their production. This included fuming and mercury boxes, a spirit burner, the silver-covered copper plates and the necessary chemicals. In total all the required equipment weighed around 50 kg (110 lb).



How it works

The camera itself consists of two boxes made of different kinds of wood that slide into each other. The larger of the two, which has the lens attached to it, is fixed to the base plate. The back of the smaller box is either the ground glass plate or the holder insert and it fits into the forward box so that the whole camera is lightproof. The interior is lined with black velvet. In order to bring the image into focus the rear box is moved back or forwards along the wooden camera base.

It can then be fixed in position by means of a brass screw, while a fold-out mirror behind the ground-glass screen allows the image to be seen while standing upright.

Initially Daguerre used plates of pure silver but later switched to plates made of silver-plated copper to save on costs. Before the exposure was made the plates were fumed with iodine or bromine inside a special wooden box with the aid of a spirit burner. Under the influence of this fuming process, light-sensitive silver iodide formed on the surface of the plate.

In order to maximise the brightness of the image while focusing the lens’s outer brass fitting was removed. During the exposure the ground glass screen was exchanged for the (now) light sensitive plate (167 x 216 mm). Before the exposure was made the diaphragm was replaced and a swiveling cap served as a shutter. Daguerre suggested exposure times of between 3 and 30 minutes, depending on light conditions.

After the plate was exposed, the photograph was developed with the aid of mercury fumes which adhered to the surface producing a very faint silver image. Development and fixation in a salt or cyanide solution results in a positive image made of grey quicksilver. The tonality of the original pictures varied between grey and blue-grey but, after the introduction of gold toner, they could also be gold, purple or sepia-coloured.


Source: gizmag.com

READ MORE - World's oldest and most expensive camera set world record Read more...

Stuntman tries to beat highest parachute jump record

A stuntman is hoping to break the longstanding world record for the highest parachute jump.

Steve Truglia, 47, will rise to the edge of space, where the temperature is minus 70C (-94F), in an open Kevlar box below a lightweight balloon and reach 700mph on his descent. He has been planning for 15 years and has invested more than £100,000 but is appealing for a further £500,000.

“I can’t think of a bigger or better stunt,” said Mr Truglia, above, from Wanstead, northeast London. “You are on the edge of space, with black sky and the stars at eye level.”

An Austrian, Felix Baumgartner, has announced a separate attempt on the record, set 50 years ago by a US air force colonel, Joe Kittinger, who leapt from a balloon at 102,800ft (31km).


Source: timesonline.co.uk

READ MORE - Stuntman tries to beat highest parachute jump record Read more...

World's Biggest Breast Implant Guinness World Record 2009

The 28-year-old, a Texas housewive, has had nine operations to get her up to this size. She traveled to Brazil to get her last procedure which took her from an FFF to a KKK after Texas officials refused to do it, for fear that her breasts could explode.

Hershey, from Houston, said: "To me, big is beautiful. I don't think I have anything to worry about." Hershey is now in record books for having the biggest breast implants ever.

Still, Hershey wanted more! And she was determined to get it. When her boyfriend begged her to stop, she broke up with him.


But Hershey was forced to settle with her FFF mosquito bites because "the state of Texas has limits on the amount of silicone that can be injected into breast implants," noted ABC. Reading this, we found ourselves impressed by Texas, because we didn't think it was the kind of state to impose limits on such things, what with the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders and the state priding itself on everything being bigger there and whatnot.

But, as Hershey discovered through diligent research, they have no such restraint in Brazil! And so now, after a ninth surgery, she's the proud owner of both a 38KKK bust (according to Britain's Daily Star) and the world record for largest breasts.

READ MORE - World's Biggest Breast Implant Guinness World Record 2009 Read more...

Furthest Eyeball Popper in the World

Kim Goodman discovered her special gift when she was hit on the head with a hockey mask and her eyeballs popped out. After the particular incident, she will be able to do this when yawning or voluntarily – “I sort of squint, pull my eyelid back and out it comes,” Goodman claimed. It seems that she has perfect vision and has never seen a doctor about her abnormal condition. Hmph....Kim, the next time you're out, please remember to undo the act or else we will hear screamings and yellings across the globe!

READ MORE - Furthest Eyeball Popper in the World Read more...

Most Tattooed Body in the World

Please be informed. He is not a black guy but he is black/gray due to excessive body tattooing. Knowing as Lucky Diamond Rich born in New Zealand, he spent over 1000 hours on body modification by hundreds of tattoo artists. He began by having a full collection of colourful designs from around the world tattooed over his entire body. But not content with stopping there, Lucky next opted for a 100% covering of black ink, including eyelids, the delicate skin between the toes, down into the ears, and even his gums. He is now being tattooed with white designs on top of the black, and coloured designs on top of the white! Clearly, this man is chasing his 'dream'. His room must be covered or delightfully decorated with dreamcatchers.

READ MORE - Most Tattooed Body in the World Read more...

Longest Nails in the World

Lee Redmond stopped cutting her talons back in 1979 also carefully manicured them without breaking them! Believe or not she is a housewife and she manages to carry out the daily chores without getting the talons into her way but everyone's ways. Definitely I would freak out to see such long nails coming my way! If I have a chance to meet her, there is one burning question to ask, how did she make her business in the toilet?

READ MORE - Longest Nails in the World Read more...

Highest Limousine in the World

The world's highest limousine, from the ground to the roof, measures 3.33 m , about 10 ft 11 in. It was built by Gary and Shirley Duvall (Australia) incorporated an eight wheel independent suspension system and sits on eight monster truck tyres. It has two separate engines and took a little over 4,000 hours to complete. Whoa....can I have a ride too?

READ MORE - Highest Limousine in the World Read more...

Strangest Diet in the World

Bicycles to ride, a plane to fly, idiot boxes to watch, computers in daily life, but these items are not to be used in MIchel's life but these are his food. He has been eating metal and glass since 1959. Gastroenterologists have described his ability to consume 900 g (2 lb) of metal per day as "unique".What is edible like bananas and hard-boiled eggs appear to make him sick! So people in France should not be surprised to find him near the scrap-metal sites.

READ MORE - Strangest Diet in the World Read more...

Smallest Waist in the World

Yeah, here I present Cathie Jung who has the smallest waist, and the perimeter of the waist is equals to that mayonnaise jar in your fridge. Ouch, please be cautious while you're handling the "jar" cause it states "FRAGILE". She claims that she has merely 100 corsets since she started wearing them everyday for the past 12 years. Oh my, looks like she has to tailor-made all her dresses!!!

READ MORE - Smallest Waist in the World Read more...

The Dog And a Little Girl

I am Not Scary, This Dog Is Very Cute, and he really love me...

READ MORE - The Dog And a Little Girl Read more...

Amazing Dog Picture

A dog from Canada that "muscular" due to genetic factors extraordinary. it weighs 27 pounds .. two times the weight of ordinary dog.

READ MORE - Amazing Dog Picture Read more...

Transparent Butterfly - Seeing is Believing

READ MORE - Transparent Butterfly - Seeing is Believing Read more...

Amazing Creative Buildings

READ MORE - Amazing Creative Buildings Read more...

The Boggest Hole In The World

The worlds biggest hole is located in Rusia.
Deep: 525 m
Diametres: 1,25 km

READ MORE - The Boggest Hole In The World Read more...

Free Download Windows 7 Official Wallpaper

A Collection of the hottest Windows 7(Seven) desktop wallpapers on the web. Ahead of the launching of Windows 7, you will find lots of desktop wallpapers on Windows7. For last few days, I was going through the available Windows 7 wallpapers, and found these wallpapers most popular among few others. Hope you will like them.

Official Windows 7 Desktop Wallpaper

Download:		800x600 1024x768 1152x864 1280x1024 1280x960

READ MORE - Free Download Windows 7 Official Wallpaper Read more...

Unique Notebook Galeries

Amazing Notebook Galeries

READ MORE - Unique Notebook Galeries Read more...

The best way to experience the web, email, photos, and video. Hands down

All of the built-in apps on iPad were designed from the ground up to take advantage of the large Multi-Touch screen. And they work in any orientation. So you can do things with these that apps you can’t do on any other device.

READ MORE - The best way to experience the web, email, photos, and video. Hands down Read more...

VIP Jail in Austria

READ MORE - VIP Jail in Austria Read more...

Biggest and brightest full moon of 2010 tonight

Tonight's full moon will be the biggest and brightest full moon of the year. It offers anyone with clear skies an opportunity to identify easy-to-see features on the moon.

This being the first full moon of 2010, it is also known as the wolf moon, a moniker dating back to Native American culture and the notion that hungry wolves howled at the full moon on cold winter nights. Each month brings another full moon name.

READ MORE - Biggest and brightest full moon of 2010 tonight Read more...

The Richest Man 2009

RANK	NAME	CITIZENSHIP	AGE	NET WORTH ($BIL)	RESIDENCE
1	William Gates III	United States	53	40.0	United States
2	Warren Buffett	United States	78	37.0	United States
3	Carlos Slim Helu & family	Mexico	69	35.0	Mexico
4	Lawrence Ellison	United States	64	22.5	United States
5	Ingvar Kamprad & family	Sweden	83	22.0	Switzerland
6	Karl Albrecht	Germany	89	21.5	Germany
7	Mukesh Ambani	India	51	19.5	India
8	Lakshmi Mittal	India	58	19.3	United Kingdom
9	Theo Albrecht	Germany	87	18.8	Germany
10	Amancio Ortega	Spain	73	18.3	Spain

1. William Gates III

Net Worth : $40.0 bil
Fortune : self made
Source : Microsoft
Age : 53
Country Of Citizenship : United States
Residence : Medina, Washington
Industry : Software
Education : Harvard University, Drop Out,
Marital Status : married, 3 children

Software visionary regains title as the world’s richest man despite losing $18 billion in the past 12 months. Stepped down from day-to-day duties at Microsoft last summer to devote his talents and riches to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Organization’s assets were $30 billion in January; annual letter lauds endowment manager Michael Larson for limiting last year’s losses to 20%. Gates decided to increase donations in 2009 to $3.8 billion, up 15% from 2008. Dedicated to fighting hunger in developing countries, improving education in America’s high schools and developing vaccines against malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS. Appointed Microsoft Office veteran Jeffrey Raikes chief exec of Gates Foundation in September. Gates remains Microsoft chairman. Sells shares each quarter, redeploys proceeds via investment vehicle Cascade; more than half of fortune invested outside Microsoft. Stock down 45% in past 12 months. “Creative capitalist” wants companies to match profitmaking with doing good.

2. Warren Buffett

Net Worth : $37.0 bil
Fortune : self made
Source : Berkshire Hathaway
Age : 78
Country Of Citizenship : United States
Residence : Omaha, Nebraska
Industry : Investments
Education : University of Nebraska Lincoln, Bachelor of Arts / Science, Columbia University, Master of Science
Marital Status : widowed, remarried, 3 children

Last year America’s most beloved investor was the world’s richest man. This year he has to settle for second place after losing $25 billion in 12 months. Shares of Berkshire Hathaway down 45% since last March. Injected billions of dollars into Goldman Sachs, GE in exchange for preferred stock last fall; propped up insurance firm Swiss Re in February with $2.6 billion infusion. Admits he made some “dumb” investment mistakes in 2008. Upbeat about America’s future: “Our economic system has worked extraordinarily well over time. It has unleashed human potential as no other system has, and it will continue to do so.” Scoffs at Wall Street’s over-reliance on “history-based” models: “If merely looking up past financial data would tell you what the future holds, the Forbes 400 would consist of librarians.” Son of Nebraska politician delivered newspapers as a boy. Filed first tax return at age 13, claiming $35 deduction for bicycle. Studied under value investing guru Benjamin Graham at Columbia. Took over textile firm Berkshire Hathaway 1965. Today holding company invested in insurance (Geico, General Re), jewelry (Borsheim’s), utilities (MidAmerican Energy), food (Dairy Queen, See’s Candies). Also has noncontrolling stakes in Anheuser-Busch, Coca-Cola, Wells Fargo.

3. Carlos Slim Helu & family

Net Worth :$35.0 bil
Fortune : self made
Source : telecom
Age : 69
Country Of Citizenship : Mexico
Residence : Mexico City
Industry : Telecommunications
Education : NA,
Marital Status : widowed, 6 children

Economic downturn and plunging peso shaved $25 billion from the fortune of Latin America’s richest man. Global recession testing his ability to live up to the principles he sets for his employees: “Maintain austerity in times of fat cows.” Son of a Lebanese immigrant bought fixed line operator Telefonos de Mexico (Telmex) in 1990; now controls 90% of Mexico’s telephone landlines. Would be a billionaire based on his dividends alone. Biggest holding: $16 billion stake in America Movil, Latin America’s largest mobile phone company with 173 million customers. America Movil and Telmex reportedly planning to jointly invest $4 billion to bolster telecom infrastructure in Latin America. Buying up cheap media, energy and retail assets. Last year took stakes in New York Times Co., former billionaire Anthony O’Reilly’s Independent News & Media and Bronco Drilling; also increased position in Saks. Baseball statistics aficionado, art collector.

4. Lawrence Ellison

Net Worth : $22.5 bil
Fortune : self made
Source : Oracle
Age : 64
Country Of Citizenship : United States
Residence : Redwood City, California
Industry : Software
Education : University of Illinois, Drop Out,
Marital Status : married, 2 children

Database titan continues to engulf the competition; Oracle has racked up 49 acquisitions in the past 4 years. Bought BEA Systems for $8.5 billion last year. Still sitting on $7 billion in cash. Revenues up 11% to $10.9 billion in the six months ended November 30; profits also up 11% to $2.4 billion. Stock down 25% in past 12 months. Invested $125 million in Web software outfit Netsuite; took public in 2007, stock has fallen 80% since. His shares still worth $300 million. Chicago native studied physics at U. of Chicago, didn’t graduate. Started Oracle in 1977. Public 1986, a day before Microsoft. Owns 453-foot Rising Sun; built a smaller leisure boat because superyacht is hard to park. Squabbling in court with Swiss boating billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli over terms of next America’s Cup. Recently unveiled hulking 90-foot trimaran he intends to use to win it.

5. Ingvar Kamprad & family

Net Worth : $22.0 bil
Fortune : self made
Source : Ikea
Age : 83
Country Of Citizenship : Sweden
Residence : Lausanne
Industry : Retail
Education : NA,
Marital Status : married, 4 children

Peddled matches, fish, pens, Christmas cards and other items by bicycle as a teenager. Started selling furniture in 1947. Opened first Ikea store 50 years ago; stores’s name is a combination of initials of his first and last name, his family farm and the nearest village. Retired in 1986; company’s “senior adviser” still reportedly works tirelessly on his brand. Discount retailer now sells 9,500 items in 36 countries; prints catalog in 27 languages. Revenues up 7% to $27.4 billion in fiscal year 2008. Opened tenth store in China this February; planning to open first in Dominican Republic later this year. Three sons all work at the company. Thrifty entrepreneur flies economy class, frequents cheap restaurants and furnishes his home mostly with Ikea products.

6. Karl Albrecht

Net Worth : $21.5 bil
Fortune : self made
Source : Aldi
Age : 89
Country Of Citizenship : Germany
Residence : Mulheim an der Ruhr
Industry : Retail
Education : NA,

Marital Status:married, 2 children Germany’s richest person owns discount supermarket giant Aldi Sud. Retailer faring well amid economic downturn; analysts expect its 2008 sales to be up 9.4% to $33.7 billion. Sales in the U.S. up estimated 20% last year to $7 billion. Plans to open 75 U.S. stores in 2009, including first in New York City. With younger brother, Theo, transformed their mother’s corner grocery store into Aldi after World War II. Brothers split ownership in 1961; Karl took the stores in southern Germany, plus the rights to the brand in the U.K., Australia and the U.S. Theo got northern Germany and the rest of Europe. Retired from daily operations. Fiercely private: little known about him other than that he apparently raises orchids and plays golf.

7. Mukesh Ambani

Net Worth : $19.5 bil
Fortune : inherited and growing
Source : petrochemicals
Age : 51
Country Of Citizenship : India
Residence : Mumbai
Industry : Manufacturing
Education : University of Bombay, Bachelor of Arts / Science, Stanford University, Drop Out
Marital Status : married, 3 children

Oversees Reliance Industries, India’s most valuable company by market cap despite stock falling 40% in past year. Merging his Reliance Petroleum with flagship Reliance Industries. As part of deal, will exercise right to buy back Chevron’s 5% stake in Reliance Petroleum at $1.20 per share—the same price at which he sold it 3 years ago. Today the stock trades for $1.80 a share. Increased stake in Reliance Industries in October; paid $3.4 billion to convert 120 million preferential warrants into shares. Reliance Petroleum refinery on India’s western coast began operating in December despite falling global demand and declining margins. Late father Dhirubhai founded Reliance and built it into a massive conglomerate. After he died Mukesh and his brother, Anil, ran the family business together for a brief time. But siblings feuded over control; mother eventually brokered split of assets. Brothers may be looking to bury hatchet; played joint hosts at mother’s recent 75th-birthday bash. Has yet to move into his 27-story home that he’s building at a reported cost of $1 billion. Ardent fan of Bollywood films. Wife, Nita, oversees school named after his father.

8. Lakshmi Mittal

Net Worth : $19.3 bil
Fortune : inherited and growing
Source : steel
Age : 58
Country Of Citizenship : India
Residence : London
Industry : Steel
Education : St Xavier’s College Calcutta, Bachelor of Arts / Science,
Marital Status : married, 2 children

Indian immigrant heads world’s largest steel company; ArcelorMittal was formed via hostile takeover 3 years ago. Stock in company makes up bulk of his fortune; shares at a 4-year low with steel prices down 75% since last summer. Company forced to pay heavy fines after a French antitrust investigation found 10 companies guilty of price-fixing in European steel markets. Arcelor posted $2.6 billion loss in most recent quarter; announced plans to slow acquisitions, cut capital expenditures, pay down debt. Started in family steel business in the 1970s, branched out on his own in 1994. Initially bought up steel mills on the cheap in Eastern Europe. Company bought 19.9% stake in Australia’s Macarthur Coal last year. Also owns pieces of Mumbai’s Indiabulls Group, London’s RAB Capital; owns stake in, sits on board of Goldman Sachs. Holds substantial cash; owns 12-bedroom mansion in London’s posh Kensington neighborhood.

9. Theo Albrecht

Net Worth : $18.8 bil
Fortune : self made
Source : Aldi, Trader Joe’s
Age : 87
Country Of Citizenship : Germany
Residence : Foehr
Industry : Retail
Education : NA,
Marital Status : married, 2 children

Runs discount supermarket group Aldi Nord; firm holding up amid economic downturn. Sales expected to hit $31 billion in 2008. After World War II he and older brother Karl transformed their mother’s corner grocery into Aldi. Brothers split ownership in 1961; Karl took the stores in southern Germany, plus the rights to the brand in the U.K., Australia and the U.S. Theo got the northern Germany stores and the rest of Europe. Unable to operate Aldi stores in U.S., Theo developed discount food store Trader Joe’s; now has more than 320 U.S. stores. Also owns stake in Supervalu. Became a recluse after being kidnapped for 17 days in 1971; said to collect old typewriters; loves golf.

10. Amancio Ortega

Net Worth : $18.3 bil
Fortune : self made
Source : Zara
Age : 73
Country Of Citizenship : Spain
Residence : La Coruna
Industry : Retail
Education : NA,
Marital Status : married, 3 children

Railway worker’s son started as a gofer in a shirt store. With then-wife Rosalia Mera, also now a billionaire, started making dressing gowns and lingerie in their living room. Business became one of world’s most successful apparel manufacturers. Today Inditex has more than 4,000 stores in 71 countries. Sales: $12.3 billion. Ortega is chairman. Company exported its cheap chic Zara stores to 4 new markets last year: Ukraine, South Korea, Montenegro and Honduras. Stock up 1% in past 12 months, but fortune down because of weak euro. Also has personal investments in gas, tourism, banks and real estate. Owns properties in Madrid, Paris, London, Lisbon, plus a luxury hotel and apartment complex in Miami, a horse-jumping circuit, and an interest in a soccer league. Shuns neckties and fanfare. Daughter Marta works for Inditex; recent speculation suggests she is being groomed to eventually replace her father.

Sourch : www.forbes.com

READ MORE - The Richest Man 2009 Read more...

Selamat Datang Di Dunia Pustaka

Dunia Pustaka Baru

READ MORE - Selamat Datang Di Dunia Pustaka Read more...