Bill Gates is the richest man in America for the 23rd year in a row

Bill Gates maintained his status as the world's richest man this year, with a net worth of $81 billion US, according to Forbes magazine.

The magazine released its annual rich list on Tuesdaywith many familiar namesat the top.

The Microsoft founder topped the list again in 2016 despite being one of the world's most generous philanthropists throughthe Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He has been in first place on the American-only listfor 23consecutive years.

There was a change for second place, however, as Amazon founder Jeff Bezos leapfrogged Berkshire Hathaway chair Warren Buffett with a $67 billion US net worth.

Buffett had been in second place 15 years, but dropped to third place this year with a net worth of $65 billion US.

Rounding out the top five are Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg with $55.5 billion US and Oracle founder Larry Ellison with $49.3 billion.

Next come:

• Michael Bloomberg at $45 billion,
• Charles Koch and David Koch, tied for 7th place with$42 billion apiece,
• Google co-founder Larry Pageat $38.5 billion,
• Google co-founderSergey Brin rounds out the top 10 with $37.5 billion.

Read the full ranking of the 400 richest Americans on Forbes website here.

Trump moves down

Donald Trump made the list in 156thplace, with an estimated net worth of$3.7 billion US, down $800 million from last year due largely to a slowdown in New York's real estate market.

The magazine figures that 18 of 28assets owned by the Republican presidential nomineedeclined in value in the past year,including Trump Tower in Manhattan and his Mar-a-Lagoestatein Palm Beach, Florida.

Trump has slipped 35 spots in the ranking compared to where he was last year. He is now tied with 16other billionaires, including Hollywood icon Steven Spielberg.

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