THE WORLD'S RICHEST

The richest people on Earth are not immune to the coronavirus. As the pandemic tightened its grip on Europe and America, global equity markets imploded, tanking many fortunes. As of March 18, when we finalized this list, Forbes counted 2,095 billionaires, 58 fewer than a year ago, and 226 fewer than just 12 days earlier, when we initially calculated these net worths. Of the billionaires who remain, 51% are poorer than they were last year. In raw terms, the world’s billionaires are worth $8 trillion, down $700 billion from 2019. For many more details about the world’s wealthiest, please visit Forbes. com/billionaires.

1. JEFF BEZOS

$113 billion AGE: 56 U.S.

SOURCE: Amazon

In mid-March Amazon announced it would hire 100,000 full-time and parttime workers at its delivery networks and fulfillment centers to meet increased demand from consumers staying home in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and said it would prioritize shipments of medical supplies and household staples. By the end of the month, at least 10 of its warehouse workers reportedly had COVID-19. On March 26, Bezos posted on Instagram that Amazon was providing logistical and technical support to the World Health Organization in its efforts against the virus. Previously, in February, he had pledged $10 billion to fight climate change through his new Bezos Earth Fund. Last summer, he gave a quarter of his Amazon stake to his former wife, MacKenzie, as part of the world’s costliest divorce. He has very publicly moved on with girlfriend Lauren Sanchez.

2. BILL GATE

S $98 billion AGE: 64 U.S.

SOURCE: Microsoft