Which American investor ranked third on Forbes’ 2015 World’s Billionaires list?

Warren Buffett ranked third on Forbes’ 2015 World’s Billionaires list.

Forbes estimated Buffett’s fortune at about $72.7 billion in the 2015 edition. He ranked behind Bill Gates and Mexican investor Carlos Slim, and ahead of several technology and industrial fortunes.

Buffett built his wealth primarily through Berkshire Hathaway, the conglomerate he transformed from a textile company into a major owner of insurance businesses, railroads, utilities, manufacturing companies, and publicly traded stocks. He is widely associated with value investing and long-term ownership.

Forbes rankings can differ from popular descriptions of Buffett because his wealth is measured separately from the charitable gifts he has made. Buffett has pledged most of his fortune to philanthropy, especially through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and family foundations.