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FinanceWealth

This Spaniard briefly deposed Bill Gates as the world’s richest man

By
Claire Groden
Claire Groden
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By
Claire Groden
Claire Groden
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October 23, 2015, 3:42 PM ET
Amancio Ortega and Family Attend CSI Casa Novas Horse Jumping Competition 2013
A CORUNA, SPAIN - JULY 27: Amancio Ortega, owner of Zara empire, meets some friends at CSI Casas Novas Horse Jumping Competition 2013 near Arteixo on July 27, 2013 in A Coruna, Spain. (Photo by Xurxo Lobato/Getty Images)Photograph by Xurxo Lobato — Getty Images

Bill Gates briefly lost his spot as the world’s richest man, according to reports on Friday. His temporary challenger? Amancio Ortega, the Spanish tycoon at the head of the fashion group Inditex, which includes the fast-fashion retailer Zara, according to Forbes.

Ortega’s fortune hit $79.8 billion Friday, after jumping a reported $4 billion on Thursday.

Gates quickly reclaimed his title on Friday after a Microsoft earnings report pushed shares in the company higher–increasing the founder’s share value up more than $1.1 billion, according to CNBC.

Inditex shares have risen nearly 40% this year.

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