Carlos Slim tops 2010 rich list

A Mexican billionaire last night became the first man from a developing nation to be ranked the world's richest person.

Telecom tycoon Carlos Slim has an estimated fortune of $53.5bn, according to the annual Forbes rich list, putting him ahead of Microsoft founder Bill Gates and legendary American investor Warren Buffett.

The 70-year old, who increased his wealth by £18.5bn in the last 12 months, beat last year's number one, Bill Gates. Gates is worth $53bn, while this year's third richest man, Warren Buffett has a fortune of $47bn.

It is the first time in 16 years that the title has been held by a non-American.

Slim, who was in third place last year, owns America Movil, Latin America's biggest mobile phone operator.

The son of an immigrant shopkeeper also controls a string of companies in other industries, ranging from banking to retail.

However, the US remained the dominant home of the super-rich, with 403 billionaires. The ranking of more than 900 of the world's richest people also includes 64 Chinese, 62 Russians and 29 Britons.

The top 10 are:

1. Carlos Slim Helu and family. Mexico. Telecoms. $53.5 billion

2. Bill Gates. US. Microsoft. $53 billion

3. Warren Buffett. US. Berkshire Hathaway. $47 billion

4. Mukesh Ambani. India. Oil, gas. $29 billion

5. Lakshmi Mittal. India. Steel. $28.7 billion

6. Lawrence Ellison. US. Oracle. $28 billion

7. Bernard Arnault. France. LVMH luxury goods. $27.5 billion

8. Eike Batista. Brazil. Mining, oil. $27 billion

9. Amancio Ortega. Spain. Clothing retail. $25 billion

10. Karl Albrecht. Germany. Supermarkets. $23.5 billion