Who is the richest person in the world?

In March 2020, Forbes released its annual billionaires list, which ranks the richest people on Earth by net worth. The death of a major political donor was a key factor in changing this year's list. 

Here are the richest people on the planet, as of spring 2020.

Chairman of Tencent Holdings

Age: 48
Net worth: $38.1 billion

You may not know this name (or his nickname, Pony Ma), but in China, Ma's company is an everyday communications staple. Tencent's social messaging app, WeChat, has more than 1 billion users.

The chairman of Reliance Industries, one of India's most valuable companies, dropped off the top 20 in 2020. Per Forbes, his net worth has dropped from $50 billion to $36.8 billion.

Stakeholder, Koch Industries

Age: 57
Net worth: $38.2 billion

Julia Koch, a former assistant to fashion designer Adolfo, is the widow of David Koch, whose family conglomerate is the second-largest privately held company in the United States.

Last year, David Koch, co-majority shareholder of his family conglomerate, was on this list at No. 11. His net worth at the time: Net worth: $50.5 billion.

He passed away on August 23, 2019, at age 79. 

CEO, Koch Industries

Age: 84
Net worth: $38.2 billion

Co-founder, Alibaba Group

Age: 55
Net worth: $38.8 billion

On Sept. 10, 2019, Ma stepped down as chairman of Alibaba. Through his e-commerce company, the former English teacher is credited with leaving a profound impact on the Chinese economy.

Co-founder, Bloomberg L.P. 

Age: 78
Net worth: $48 billion

In 2020, the former New York mayor poured roughly $1 billion into a bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, including $275 million on anti-Trump advertising. He quit in March 2020, endorsing frontrunner Joe Biden and transferring his remaining campaign cash to the Democratic party. 

Chairwoman of family's L'Oréal holdings and granddaughter of L'Oréal's founder

Age: 66
Net worth: $48.9 billion

One of the richest women in the world, Bettencourt Meyers, together with her family owns 33% of the cosmetics company L'Oreal. In 2019, the juggernaut logged its best sales growth in more than a decade.

Controlling shareholder, Alphabet Inc.

Age: 46
Net worth: $49.1 billion

Alphabet is the parent company of Google. In 2019, Brin retired as president of Alphabet, but he remains a board member and employee. Born in Russia, Brin became a U.S. citizen as a child, in 1979.

Controlling shareholder, Alphabet

Age: 47
Net worth: $49.1 billion

Like his co-founder, Page also stepped down as a day-to-day Alphabet executive — in his case, CEO — in 2019. 

In explaining their decision, the pair wrote a joint letter saying, "Today, in 2019, if the company was a person, it would be a young adult of 21 and it would be time to leave the roost ... we believe it's time to assume the role of proud parents - offering advice and love, but not daily nagging!"

Honorary chairman, América Móvil

Age: 80
Net worth: $52.1 billion

Slim Helu's latest investment involves not telecommunication, but transportation. He and Mexico's government are collaborating on a railroad line in the country's southeastern region. 

Once known as Microsoft's 30th employee, Ballmer ran the company from 2000 to 2014. He now spends most of his time minding his Los Angeles-based basketball team.

Chairman, Walmart

Age: 75
Net worth: $54.1 billion

Rob Walton is the oldest son of Sam, the founder of Walmart.

Walmart heir

Age: 70
Net worth: $54.4 billion

Walmart heir; chairman and CEO, Arvest Bank Group, Inc.

Age: 71
Net worth: $54.6 billion

Seen here with siblings Rob (L) and Alice, Jim Walton gave away $1.2 billion worth of his Walmart stock in 2019. He reportedly gave it to several charities, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Co-founder and CEO, Facebook

Age: 35
Net worth: $54.7 billion

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the philanthropy that the Facebook founder runs with wife Priscilla Chan, has gotten involved in the COVID-19 pandemic. The foundation recently announced a $13.6 million program to study the virus's spread in Northern California. Another $5 million has been earmarked for distance learning and other education-related needs stemming from the coronavirus lockdown.

Co-founder, Zara

Age: 84
Net worth: $55.1 billion

Ortega learned to sew shirts by hand before launching his own fast-fashion business with first wife Rosalía Mera.

Co-founder, Oracle

Age: 75
Net worth: $59 billion

In February 2020, Ellison's Porcupine Creek estate, near Palm Springs, California, hosted a fundraiser for Donald Trump's 2020 presidential campaign. 

CEO, Berkshire Hathaway

Age: 89
Net worth: $67.5 billion

In May 2020, a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary landed permission to build one of the biggest solar energy installations on Earth. When it's completed, the $1 billion Gemini Solar Project, near Las Vegas, will be the world's eighth-largest solar-power complex.

Chairman and CEO, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton

Age: 71
Net worth: $76 billion

Co-founder, Microsoft

Age: 64
Net worth: $98 billion

CEO, Amazon

Age: 56
Net worth: $113 billion

Bezos divorced wife MacKenzie in 2019. As part of their split settlement, Bezos ceded one-quarter of his Amazon stake, 4% of the whole company. The exchange landed MacKenzie Bezos, 50, on the Forbes billionaires list for 2020, at No. 22.

Her net worth: $36 billion.