Bill Gates Regains Title of World's Richest Person

Bill Gated has regained his title as richest man in the world after five years out of the top spot, beating Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim. 

The net worth of Gates, founder of Microsoft and co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, hit a five year high on Thursday at $72.7 billion, topping that of Slim, 73, according to Bloomberg Billionaires Index. 

Gates last held the title. which has also been held by Berkshire Hathaway chairman and CEO Warren Buffett, five years ago. 

Though   Gates, 57, is still chairman of Microsoft, he only owns about 5 percent of it, reports Forbes. Microsoft shares are up 28 percent this year. Bloomberg figures that Gate's fortune has risen 15 percent this year. 

Gates also holds the title of "world's most generous person", not only promising to give half this wealth to charitable causes, but recruiting other wealthy people along with Buffett to join their group, The Giving Pledge