How do Americas most affluent people make–and enjoy–their riches?
Who cares whether somebody is worth $2 billion or $6 billion? We do. That personal stash is a critical barometer of how well the nation–and, to a degree, the world–is doing. By creating wealth, the people on our list help shape epic financial trends, as well as shifts in leadership and policy, often providing the spark for innovation and entrepreneurship. Both Bill Gates and Warren Buffett are richer than they were a year ago, and that has had huge implications for philanthropic giving. Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, tripling his fortune in a year, has put his cofounders and unheard-of suppliers of games on the map, as well as spurred incalculably valuable competition in the race to exploit social media. In this, our 29th issue of The Forbes 400, our charge is still chronicling the ups and downs of entrepreneurial capitalists. But this year we’ve taken a different approach to our wealth coverage. In these pages we’re breaking out more personal and financial information: Throughout, you