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Top 10 richest people in the world and their cars

Topping the Forbes List year-in year-out, a hand full of illustrous men are piling up unimaginable fortunes for the perception of mere mortals like us. One is left wondering what people do with billions over billions and arrives at the conclusion that spending such quantities of cash actually could turn out to be quite a stressful matter. Too many options, too many choices, everything is possible...where to start spending? Well...may be with a nice car?

Looking at the drives picked by the top 10 richest men worldwide (as of March 2012), the overall picture is rather sober. Except for small extravagancias here-and-there, the general choice is conservative and the cars' prices well below what those business-gurus could afford. It seems like prudent investment has always been key to their economic success and not even a stand of Ferraris, Lambos and Bugattis makes them lose their head, go wild and spend it all...

10. Karl Albrecht

Karl Albrecht, founding brother of the German Aldi-empire and worth $25.4 billion, leads a secretive lifestyle and very little is known about his personal habits. For decades, no photo of him has surfaced, let alone one with him and his car. It has been rumoured however, that he currently drives a 2011 BMW 3 Series.

9. Li Ka-Shing

Li Ka-Shing is with a fortune of $25.5 billion one of the most powerful business men in Asia. But as a selfmade man he also values modesty. Hence, while he is said to own two Rolls-Royce Phantoms, they are used for business purposes only. Privately he supposedly drives an older Mercedes-Benz model dating from the 1990s.

8. Stefan Persson

By far the richest Swede, and currently number 8 on a global scale is Stefan Persson, founder of H&M. The popularity of Swedish fashion for the masses made his fortune of $26 billion. His automotive choice, a Volvo S80, is as patriotic as much as it is modest. Albeit, his country has more extravagant drives to offer that he could afford - a Koenigsegg Agera for example.

7. Eike Batista

Significantly more luscious is the liking of Eike Batista, Brasilian oil-bilionair worth $30 billion. He calls a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren his own and instead of cruising along Ipanema beach with it, he parks it as a decorative element in his living room.

6. Larry Ellison

Larry Ellison of Oracle is one of the few true petrol heads amongst the Forbes top ten. He counts an illustre collection of cars including an Audi R8, McLaren F1, Honda NSX, Lexus LFA and Lexus LS 600h L. With an estimated property of $36 billion, he can easily entertain his costly hobby.

5. Amancio Ortega

Amancio Ortega, Spanish selfmade entrepeneur and owner of the global Zara fashion empire, is the richest man in Spain and number five in the world. Despite his titanic fortune rounding $37.5 billion, his automotive choice is executive over luxury. The Audi A8 probably provides as much comfort and anonymity on Madrid's streets, as he desires.

4. Bernard Arnault

As chairman of Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, Bernard Arnault became the fourth richest person on this planet. Working for the world's biggest group of luxury brands, one must expect him to appreciate the finer things in life, also exclusive cars. Little is known however, he is said to own a BMW 7-Series.

3. Warren Buffett

Investment legend Warren Buffett opens the top three with a fortune of $44 billion. He caused a stir in 2006, when he sold his Lincoln Town Car Signature from 2001 for charity on Ebay. The car was wearing a personalized license plate reading "Thrifty".

2. Bill Gates

Bill Gates made himself a name as conoisseur and collector of Porsche sportscars. With $61 billion on the bank, buying icons like the 1999 Porsche 911 convertible or a rare 1988 Porsche 959 Coupe must have been like buying a piece of cake. On June 2nd 2012, his 911 Turbo from 1979 will be auctioned off in Vienna.

1. Carlos Slim Helu

Carlos Slim Helu, Mexican telecommunications magnate is the richest man in the world with $69 billion. He is better known for his love for art than cars but nonetheless drives in classic British style with a Bentley Continental Spur.