Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has regained the top spot on Forbes’ annual list of the world’s richest people as investment guru Warren Buffett and Mexican telecom magnate Carlos Slim each lost $US25 billion ($A38.71 billion).

Bill Gates lost just $US18 billion ($A27.87 billion) in the financial apocalypse that hit world markets last year and is now worth $US40 billion ($A61.93 billion) compared to Warren Buffet’s $US37 billion ($A57.28 billion) and Slim’s $US35 billion ($A54.19 billion).
The financial devastation took a heavy toll on the world’s billionaire’s club, with the top 10 richest …