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The 10 billionaires whose net worth rose the most in 2012

Nope, we haven’t heard of some of these rich folks…

BILLIONAIRES HAD A good 2012.

According to Bloomberg, the richest 100 billionaires added €184 billion  to their wealth this past year.

As a whole they’re worth $1.45 trillion.

Bloomberg kindly gave us the data on the Top 10 gainers, how much they’re worth, and how much they made.

They come from a range of industries including tech, telecom, and chemicals.

Rinat Akhmetov (up €5.2bn to €16.2bn)
1 / 10
  • Rinat Akhmetov (up €5.2bn to €16.2bn)

    What he does: Russian oligarch with massive investments in natural resources. (Image: Wikipedia)
  • Jeff Bezos (up €5.2bn to €18bn)

    What he does: Amazon CEO and founder. Amazon shares had a huge 2012. (Image: Flickr/Steve Jurvetson)
  • Bill Gates (up €5.3bn to €47.8bn)

    What he does: Microsoft founder and Chairman. (Image: World Economic Forum via flickr)
  • Lee Shau Kee (up €5.4bn to €18bn)

    What he does: Hong Kong property tycoon.
  • David Koch (up €5.4bn to €31.2bn)

    What he does: Co-founder of Koch Industries (chemical and industrial company) as well as major conservative backer. (Image: AP)
  • Charles Koch (up €5.4bn to €31.2bn)

    What he does: Co-founder of Koch Industries (chemical and industrial company) as well as major conservative backer.
  • Bernard Arnault (up €6.2bn to €22bn)

    What he does: Europe's richest man and Chairman and CEO of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the Paris-based luxury goods empire. LMVH shares rallied 37 per cent in 2012. (Image: AP Photo/Michel Euler, File)
  • Prince Awaleed (up €8.6bn to €21.9 bn)

    What he does: Uber-rich Saudi billionaire investor. (Image: tuancoi1 via flickr)
  • Carlos Slim (up €10.22bn to €16.9bn)

    What he does: Mexican telecom magnate.
  • Amancio Ortega (up €16.9bn to €43.9bn)

    What he does: Head of Spanish clothing retailer Inditex, which owns Zara.

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    Mute Machine Learning IRE
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    Mar 31st 2025, 12:05 PM

    Heroes.

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    Mute offside again
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    Mar 31st 2025, 12:13 PM

    @Machine Learning IRE: Motorhead do a cracking cover of that.

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    Mute and the hit's just keep coming
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    Mar 31st 2025, 12:22 PM

    @Machine Learning IRE: free a nipper

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    Mute Jacintha Dumbrell
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    Mar 31st 2025, 12:08 PM

    They should have pretended it was an anti-immigrant protest and the Gardaí would have escorted them.

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    Mute Jef Gert
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    Mar 31st 2025, 12:14 PM

    @Jacintha Dumbrell:

    It wasn’t an anti immigrant protest yet the Gardai still escorted them.

    What the hell are you talking about?

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    Mute Eoin .h
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    Mar 31st 2025, 12:18 PM

    @Jef Gert: article literally says gardai were ‘forcibly removing women’. Maybe that’s what she’s talking about.

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    Mute Thomas Sheridan
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    Mar 31st 2025, 12:13 PM

    Release the hostages

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    Mute Hayagriva
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    Mar 31st 2025, 12:15 PM

    @Thomas Sheridan: yes, I agree, release the 9500 Palestinians, including 3500 held in administrative detention without charge, trial or access to legal counsel!

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    Mute Tommy Robinson
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    Mar 31st 2025, 12:40 PM

    @William Jennings: here here.

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    Mute Tommy Robinson
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    Mar 31st 2025, 12:41 PM

    @Tommy Robinson: I am here

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    Mute Mary Kelly
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    Mar 31st 2025, 12:36 PM

    What about protesting for vulnerable children in Ireland with additional needs who cannot get a school place? The uk and USA created the mess in Palestine and are doing nothing . Protesting for the government to enact the occupied territories bill will not help Palestinian children.

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    Mute morgan duggan
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    Mar 31st 2025, 12:40 PM

    Gaza has been independent since 2006.37 billion in aid.And Hamas has used it to attack and attack again.Egypt has a 100 foot wall/fortress to keep them out.Israel wants it’s people back.All this is Hamas fault.Oh and they silence any opposition.Free Gaza? Really

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    Mute AnthonyK
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    Mar 31st 2025, 12:19 PM

    They’ll get off on account of their sex. We have a two tier justice system. Man bad, woman good.

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    Mute Argus Romsworth
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    Mar 31st 2025, 12:21 PM

    @AnthonyK: here’s a lad consumed in the manopshere

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    Mute David Guiney
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    Mar 31st 2025, 12:33 PM

    @Argus Romsworth: more like the babysphere.

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