The Forbes Billionaire list added a record of 290 newcomers in the last year as world markets defied international turmoil. While the news covered wars, diseases and other crises, bosses from every continent but Antarctica managed to mint new 10-figure fortunes.
Nearly 25% of this year’s first-time billionaires hail from China, which produced a world-leading 71 newcomers. The United States came in second, with 57, followed by India, with 28, and Germany, with 23.
The most famous rookie on the billionaires list? Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player of all time and indisputably the best-paid athlete of all time. Forbes first outed Jordan as a billionaire last June. Most of his cash comes from Nike payouts on his iconic brand. The Jordan brand grossed an estimated $2.25 billion in 2013, earning his Airness some $90 million. But his most valuable asset is his stake in the Charlotte Hornets, worth more than $500 million.
Chicago Black Eye 