13 Israelis make Forbes’ billionaires list

Thirteen Israelis have made Forbes’ 2012 list of billionaires, among a record 1,226 billionaires globally.

Topping the list for the third year in a row is Mexican telecom tycoon Carlos Slim Helu, with approximately $69 billion, according to the magazine.

Bill Gates and Warren Buffet came in at second and third, respectively, in the annual report on the world’s mega-rich.

Idan Ofer, son of the late shipping magnate Sammy Ofer, leads the roster of Israeli billionaires with $6.2 billion, making him the 161st richest person on earth. His brother, Eyal, is third among the Israelis on the list, with $5.8 billion.

Diamond and real estate mogul Beny Steinmetz was second among the Israelis and 169th in the world with $5.9 billion.

Also high on the list were Stef Wertheimer ($4.2 billion), whose latest endeavors have focused on building industrial parks in economically-depressed areas in Israel, and Shari Arison ($3.9 billion), who inherited her shares in Carnival Cruises, Bank Hapoalim and infrastructure giant Shikun u’Binui Holdings Ltd from her late father Ted Arison.

The other Israeli billionaires on this year’s list were Arnon Milchan, Alexander Machkevich, Israel Englander, Gil Shwed, Yitzhak Tshuva, Lev Leviev, Marius Nacht, Teddy Sagi and Morris Kahn, with assets ranging from $3.8 billion to $1 billion, as reported by Forbes.