Tech tycoons triumph in 2013 rich list

Bill Gates leads tech giants in Bloomberg's Billionaire Index

Billionaire bosses of top tech vendors fared the best among the richest people in the world last year, according to Bloomberg data, with Bill Gates topping the charts as both the richest man in the world and the biggest wealth gainer of the year.

At the end of last year, the net worth of the world's wealthiest billionaires stood at a massive $3.7tn (£2.2tn).

Those in the tech sector gained the most wealth compared to other sectors last year, with tech billionaires' collective net worth rocketing 28 per cent during the year. Of the 300 people who made it into the final overall rich list of the year, only 70 made a net loss.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates (pictured) regained his title as the world's richest person in 2013, and according to the Bloomberg data, he was the year's biggest gainer.

The tycoon's fortune rocketed by $15.8bn to $78.5bn thanks to a 40 per cent boost in Microsoft's share price throughout the year.

Less than a quarter of his fortune is held in Microsoft and he gave away $28bn through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Elsewhere on Bloomberg's Billionaire Index, Orcale boss Larry Ellison and current Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer appeared in eighth and 44th position thanks to their respective $43.3bn $17.8bn net worth.