There are now 1,810 billionaires on the planet. 

Bill Gates is the richest among them, but did you know there are more school dropouts among the world’s richest than there are doctorate holders?

That these billionaires were also hit by the global financial crisis? Or that those born under the star sign of Aquarius seem predisposed towards prosperity?

Gocompare.com, a British financial- services comparison website, has compiled whimsical nuggets along with more serious facts in its Billionaires League report, which makes for fascinating reading.

  

The Billionaires League, which draws its data from Forbes, says the folks who make up the world’s richest have not really changed in the last 20 years.

The average age of billionaires has gone up by 20 years in the last two decades, suggesting that the group comprises more or less the same people; they are just getting older.

If the trend continues, the average billionaire will be in his 70s in 2019, and older than 100 by 2051.

Self-made billionaires have, however, fared better than those who inherited their fortune.

The combined net worth of selfmade billionaires rose 515 per cent in 20 years to US$1.6 trillion.

Their net worth fell 38 per cent in 2009, the year after the financial crisis, but rose 117 per cent in the seven years following it.

The number of female billionaires remained stable throughout the crash and then went up from nine to Jeff Bezos, US$56.8 billion 12 in the seven years following the financial crisis.

Nearly nine in 10 (87 per cent) of the billionaires featured in Forbes’ Top 100 since 1996 are married.

Most have between two and three children, with five per cent having none and 21 per cent, five or more children.

Most (56 per cent) hold only a Bachelor’s degree; less than a quarter (23 per cent) have a Masters. Dropouts make up 14 per cent, and doctorate holders, only seven per cent.

And, even though the world’s top billionaire is bespectacled, the bulk (59 per cent) of Forbes’ Top 100 have perfect eyesight.

America’s billionaires rank above all other nations’, with their combined net worth in the US$1 trillion range. American billionaires also form the largest proportion, at 40 per cent, of the world’s wealthiest.

FINANCIAL CRISIS

Russian billionaires were hit the hardest at the height of the global financial crisis — they lost 85 per cent of their net worth in a single year.

Their fortunes have since recovered to US$92.3 billion, and they now rank just behind Germany’s billionaires, who have a combined net worth of US$149.9 billion.

None of the billionaires were able to insulate themselves entirely from the financial crash of 2008; all lost some 40 per cent of their fortunes in a single year.

Microsoft’s Gates is the world’s wealthiest, with a net worth of US$76.8 billion.

He was behind Mexican business magnate Carlos Slim in 2008 and between 2010 and 2014. Mr Slim has been named by Forbes as 2015’s biggest billionaire loser; his net worth fell from US$74 billion in 2011 to US$57.2 billion this year, ranking him third.

Battling for the top spot with these two men over the last two decades has been American tycoon and investor Warren Buffett. He has a net worth of US$65.4 billion and is now ranked second, behind Mr Gates.

The digital media boom of the 21st century helped its key players. Amazon’s Jeff Bezos outdid them all to take the top spot this year, with a net worth of US$56.8 billion, which puts him fourth in the overall list.

Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg is second among the digital media billionaires with US$46.9 billion, while Google’s Larry Page (US$36.1 billion) and his co-founder Sergey Brin (US$35.3 billion) round up third and fourth place respectively in this category.

Media moguls Michael Bloomberg and Rupert Murdoch suffered a reversal in fortunes in the last two decades, with 2008 — the year of the global financial crisis – being the inflexion point.

From there, Mr Bloomberg’s wealth grew and reached US$41.3 billion this year, against Mr Murdoch’s US$11.8 billion.

Gocompare.com even made an exercise of checking these billionaires’ birthdays — and found the biggest number of billionaires in Forbes’ Top 100 between 1996 and 2015 born early in the year, under the sign of Aquarius.

The next highest number were of the star sign Taurus, then Capricorn and Leo. The smallest number were Cancerians. – Michelle Quah

A version of this report was first published in The Business Times

After two months of delays and frustration with troubled car dealer Royal Automotive, Ms Jenny Tay was promised a refund of more than $47,000.

But to her dismay, the cheque bounced when she tried to deposit it on Monday.

Despite several calls and messages, she could not reach the boss of Royal Automotive.

To make matters worse, Chinese daily Lianhe Wanbao reported yesterday that the lease of Royal Automotive’s Woodlands showroom will end this month.

When contacted by The New Paper yesterday, director of Royal Automotive, Mr Syed Khairil, 27, admitted it was facing cashflow issues, but insisted it was still in operation and was looking for a new location for its showroom.

WORKING CLOSELY

On the issue of the bounced cheque, he said it is working closely with the affected customer to resolve her issue as soon as it can.

Royal Automotive’s financial problems comeeven as its former employee, Chua Peng Jun, was charged in court today with criminal breach of trust. 

TNP understands that at least 20 victims have made police reports against Royal Automotive.

Similarly, the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) has received 20 complaints about the car dealer since July.

Executive director of Case, Mr Seah Seng Choon, said the number of complaints against parallel importers is not large, but it has seen more complaints recently. 

Last week, Case told The Straits Times that it was considering whether it should flag Royal Automotive because of the number of complaints.

Mr Syed said he will be meeting over 40 customers this week to explain the situation to them.

He said: “We will try our best to help affected parties with the delivery of their cars, but we must operate in line with our legal obligations.

“We continue to be contactable at our office or through Facebook.”

According to checks with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (Acra), Royal Automotive was registered last November.

Two affected customers approached by TNP said they were attracted to Royal Automotive because of its lower prices, which are about $10,000 below the market rate.

HONDA VEZEL

Ms Tay, who declined to reveal her occupation, had booked a Honda Vezel in May.

She was supposed to get the car by the end of August after trading in her old car.

She said: “I was initially sceptical so I asked them to show me their other invoices. They had proof that they were able to deliver the cars.

“It is a lesson learnt. I will make sure that the car is in the showroom before putting down any money.”

A customer, who wanted to be known only as Melvin, 40, also admitted that he should have done more research.

He scrapped his old car in anticipation of a new Honda Vezel by mid-October.

He said: “I work in sales so I really need a car. But I already paid a deposit of $20,000 and I have no choice but to hope for the best.”

We will try our best to help affected parties with the delivery of their cars, but we must operate in line with our legal obligations.

– Director of Royal Automotive, Mr Syed Khairil

After two months of delays and frustration with troubled car dealer Royal Automotive, Ms Jenny Tay was promised a refund of more than $47,000.

But to her dismay, the cheque bounced when she tried to deposit it on Monday.

Despite several calls and messages, she could not reach the boss of Royal Automotive.

To make matters worse, Chinese daily Lianhe Wanbao reported yesterday that the lease of Royal Automotive’s Woodlands showroom will end this month.

When contacted by The New Paper yesterday, director of Royal Automotive, Mr Syed Khairil, 27, admitted it was facing cashflow issues, but insisted it was still in operation and was looking for a new location for its showroom.

WORKING CLOSELY

On the issue of the bounced cheque, he said it is working closely with the affected customer to resolve her issue as soon as it can.

Royal Automotive’s financial problems comeeven as its former employee, Chua Peng Jun, was charged in court today with criminal breach of trust. 

TNP understands that at least 20 victims have made police reports against Royal Automotive.

Similarly, the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) has received 20 complaints about the car dealer since July.

Executive director of Case, Mr Seah Seng Choon, said the number of complaints against parallel importers is not large, but it has seen more complaints recently. 

Last week, Case told The Straits Times that it was considering whether it should flag Royal Automotive because of the number of complaints.

Mr Syed said he will be meeting over 40 customers this week to explain the situation to them.

He said: “We will try our best to help affected parties with the delivery of their cars, but we must operate in line with our legal obligations.

“We continue to be contactable at our office or through Facebook.”

According to checks with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (Acra), Royal Automotive was registered last November.

Two affected customers approached by TNP said they were attracted to Royal Automotive because of its lower prices, which are about $10,000 below the market rate.

HONDA VEZEL

Ms Tay, who declined to reveal her occupation, had booked a Honda Vezel in May.

She was supposed to get the car by the end of August after trading in her old car.

She said: “I was initially sceptical so I asked them to show me their other invoices. They had proof that they were able to deliver the cars.

“It is a lesson learnt. I will make sure that the car is in the showroom before putting down any money.”

A customer, who wanted to be known only as Melvin, 40, also admitted that he should have done more research.

He scrapped his old car in anticipation of a new Honda Vezel by mid-October.

He said: “I work in sales so I really need a car. But I already paid a deposit of $20,000 and I have no choice but to hope for the best.”

We will try our best to help affected parties with the delivery of their cars, but we must operate in line with our legal obligations.

– Director of Royal Automotive, Mr Syed Khairil

He fell at the same spot twice at Bishan MRT station.

The first time it happened last Friday, Mr Lim Chwee Leong, 64, sprained his hand while breaking his fall as he was going up the escalator at Exit D.

The next day, the retiree, who is divorced, fell again at the same escalator.

This time he hit his head and was severely injured.

His son, Mr Lim Ka Hock, 46, told The New Paper yesterday that his father has been unconscious in Tan Tock Seng Hospital since the accident.

The freelance contractor said: “After the first fall, he came home and told us about it. He even said he was lucky that he didn’t hit his head.

“Who would have expected him to fall again at the same place on Saturday?”

His father had to undergo an emergency operation immediately after the accident to remove a blood clot in his brain.

A passer-by had seen his father fall backwards and hit his head while getting on the escalator that was going up, said Mr Lim.

He got up and continued riding the escalator. But he fainted as soon as he got off.

Mr Lim said that his father’s girlfriend had informed the family about his accident. When she called his mobile phone around noon, someone at the hospital answered and told her that he had been injured.

Doctors at the hospital told the family that a blood vessel in the older Mr Lim’s brain had ruptured after the accident, and a blood clot had formed.

“They said they had to operate immediately because the blood clot was putting pressure on his brain. He is relatively stable now and has been taken off the life-support machine. All we can do now is to wait for him to wake up,” he said.

SELDOM LEAVES FLAT

Mr Lim said he was not sure why his father, who rarely leaves their Bishan flat, was at the MRT station.

He added that his father was taking medication for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. He had a heart attack 10 years ago.

“He is not very fit, especially because of his age, and might have fallen himself. What has happened has happened, and all we can do is pray that he gets well.

“To be honest, I am prepared for the worst.”

He said that his siblings would be meeting the doctors today to decide on their next course of action.

Mr Lim added that doctors told them that their father could be paralysed or remain in a vegetative state.

He hopes his father’s accident will remind others, especially the elderly, to be more careful when taking the escalator or stairs.

“It might be safer for people like my father to take the lift instead of the escalator as the speed might be too fast for them,” he added.

Mr Lim also said that an SMRT representative had visited his dad in hospital yesterday.

Replying to TNP’s queries, SMRT’s vice-president for corporate information and communications, Mr Patrick Nathan, said: “We are sorry this has happened. We are in touch with the family and providing assistance as best we can. The matter is being investigated.”

A police spokesman said they were alerted to the incident at 11.34am on Saturday and found a 64-year-old man with head injuries.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force said the elderly man was taken unconscious in an ambulance to Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

Who would have expected him to fall again at the same place on Saturday?

– Mr Lim Ka Hock, whose father, Mr Lim Chwee Leong, has been unconscious in Tan Tock Seng Hospital since Saturday

He fell at the same spot twice at Bishan MRT station.

The first time it happened last Friday, Mr Lim Chwee Leong, 64, sprained his hand while breaking his fall as he was going up the escalator at Exit D.

The next day, the retiree, who is divorced, fell again at the same escalator.

This time he hit his head and was severely injured.

His son, Mr Lim Ka Hock, 46, told The New Paper yesterday that his father has been unconscious in Tan Tock Seng Hospital since the accident.

The freelance contractor said: “After the first fall, he came home and told us about it. He even said he was lucky that he didn’t hit his head.

“Who would have expected him to fall again at the same place on Saturday?”

His father had to undergo an emergency operation immediately after the accident to remove a blood clot in his brain.

A passer-by had seen his father fall backwards and hit his head while getting on the escalator that was going up, said Mr Lim.

He got up and continued riding the escalator. But he fainted as soon as he got off.

Mr Lim said that his father’s girlfriend had informed the family about his accident. When she called his mobile phone around noon, someone at the hospital answered and told her that he had been injured.

Doctors at the hospital told the family that a blood vessel in the older Mr Lim’s brain had ruptured after the accident, and a blood clot had formed.

“They said they had to operate immediately because the blood clot was putting pressure on his brain. He is relatively stable now and has been taken off the life-support machine. All we can do now is to wait for him to wake up,” he said.

SELDOM LEAVES FLAT

Mr Lim said he was not sure why his father, who rarely leaves their Bishan flat, was at the MRT station.

He added that his father was taking medication for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. He had a heart attack 10 years ago.

“He is not very fit, especially because of his age, and might have fallen himself. What has happened has happened, and all we can do is pray that he gets well.

“To be honest, I am prepared for the worst.”

He said that his siblings would be meeting the doctors today to decide on their next course of action.

Mr Lim added that doctors told them that their father could be paralysed or remain in a vegetative state.

He hopes his father’s accident will remind others, especially the elderly, to be more careful when taking the escalator or stairs.

“It might be safer for people like my father to take the lift instead of the escalator as the speed might be too fast for them,” he added.

Mr Lim also said that an SMRT representative had visited his dad in hospital yesterday.

Replying to TNP’s queries, SMRT’s vice-president for corporate information and communications, Mr Patrick Nathan, said: “We are sorry this has happened. We are in touch with the family and providing assistance as best we can. The matter is being investigated.”

A police spokesman said they were alerted to the incident at 11.34am on Saturday and found a 64-year-old man with head injuries.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force said the elderly man was taken unconscious in an ambulance to Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

Who would have expected him to fall again at the same place on Saturday?

– Mr Lim Ka Hock, whose father, Mr Lim Chwee Leong, has been unconscious in Tan Tock Seng Hospital since Saturday