Which billionaire was Forbes’ richest person in the world in 1995?

Bill Gates was Forbes’ richest person in the world in 1995.

Gates’ fortune was built primarily through his ownership of Microsoft, the software company he co-founded with Paul Allen in 1975. Microsoft’s success with personal-computer operating systems and productivity software greatly increased the value of Gates’ shares.

He first appeared on Forbes’ annual billionaire list in 1987 and later became a frequent number-one finisher. His wealth was not based only on salary; like many founders on the list, it came mainly from equity ownership.

The 1995 result belongs to Forbes’ period-based annual ranking and should not be confused with later real-time estimates. Gates eventually donated large sums through philanthropic foundations, while continuing to appear in major wealth rankings for many years.