21 September 2007

Google co-founders are fifth richest in US

Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page have been ranked joint fifth in Forbes magazine's list of the 400 wealthiest Americans in 2007.

The search engine executives are estimated to be worth in the region of $18.5 billion each.

Both 34-years-old, the pair recently demonstrated their wealth by signing a $1.3 million a year agreement to park their personal Boeing 767-200 at a NASA airfield close to Google headquarters.

Entering the top ten for the first time, Mr Brin and Mr Page have increased their wealth by $4.4 billion and $4.5 billion respectively over the last year.

They brought Google to life in September 1998 and, since then, the company has grown to be one of the most successful organisations of its kind, currently employing over 10,000 staff across the world.

Topping the list and worth an estimated $59 billion was Microsoft founder Bill Gates. However, co-founder of the internet and software giant Paul Allen slipped to 11th place this year.

Co-founder of rival company Yahoo! Jerry Yang came in at number 261, with his wealth estimated at $1.9 billion.

According to Forbes, "the price of admission" to this year's top 400 has risen dramatically from $300 million last year to $1.3 billion for this year's contenders.

The collective net worth of America's richest rose $290 billion this year to reach $1.54 trillion.

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