Puzzle 19

John Baez

Q: As of February 2004, five of the ten richest people in the world had the same last name. What is it?

A: Walton.

In order of wealth, the ten richest people were:

1. William Gates III, $46.6 billion.
2. Warren Buffett, $42.9 billion.
3. Karl Albrecht, $23.0 billion.
4. Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud, $21.5 billion.
5. Paul Allen, $21.0 billion.
6. Alice Walton, $20.0 billion.
7. Helen Walton, $20.0 billion.
8. Jim Walton, $20.0 billion.
9. John Walton, $20.0 billion.
10. S. Robson Walton, $20.0 billion.

The Walton family, who live in the state of Arkansas in the U.S.A., own the "Walmart" chain.

Source: Billionaires: the World's Richest People, Forbes Magazine, March 2004, page 91.

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