Gates tops Forbes’ rich list for 16th time as Jordan makes the cut

The world's richest person got even richer this year. And a basketball superstar-turned-team-owner made the list for the first time.

Forbes said on Monday that Bill Gates's net worth rose to US$79.2 billion in 2015 from US$76 billion last year. That put him at the top of the magazine's list of the world's billionaires for the second consecutive year.

The co-founder of Microsoft has topped the list for 16 of the last 21 years.

In second place is Mexican telecommunications mogul Carlos Slim, with a net worth of US$77.1 billion. He had topped the list in 2013.

Next is investor Warren Buffett, who moved up one slot this year with a net worth of US$72.7 billion. In fourth place was Amancio Ortega, the Spanish co-founder of clothing retail chain Zara, with a net worth of US$64.5 billion. Rounding out the top five was Larry Ellison, founder of technology company Oracle, with US$54.3 billion.

Basketball legend Michael Jordan joined the list for the first time, thanks to his ownership of basketball team the Charlotte Hornets and payouts from his brand endorsement with Nike. Jordan had a net worth of US$1 billion, the magazine said.