Forbes’ annual list of the world’s billionaires with Bill Gates recaptured the title of world’s richest with a fortune of $40 billion from Warren Buffett, his wealth fell to $37 billion. Once again, telecom tycoon Carlos Slim took the third spot, with $35 billion this year. The billionaire list is leaner this year.

more details and photos after the jump…

The world now  has only 793 of them compared with 1,125 a year ago. A drop of 332 names that’s almost a third. The financial crisis takes its toll on the very rich as well and on average they have lost 23 percent of their wealth.

Joaquin “Shorty” Guzman, whose source of fortune is listed as drug trafficking claims #701. Forbes’ description:

Mexico’s most wanted man, “El Chapo”, or Shorty, heads the Sinaloa cartel, one of the biggest suppliers of Cocaine to the U.S. In 1993 was arrested in Mexico on homicide and drug charges. Escaped from federal prison in 2001, reportedly through the laundry, and quickly regained control of his drug trafficking organization, which he still controls today. In 2008 Mexican and Colombian traffickers laundered between $18 billion and $39 billion in proceeds from wholesale shipments to the U.S.

Guzman, who is five feet tall and apparently extraordinarily charismatic. He isn’t the first alleged drug trafficker to make the list.

Some very interesting facts:

New York replaced Moscow as home to the most billionaires.

Russia lost nearly two-thirds of its billionaires, and India lost more than half.

The youngest on the list is Germany’s Albert von Thurn und Taxis, 25, with $2.1 billion.

Michael Bloomberg was the only member of the top 20 to see a net gain from last year.
Here’s the top 5:

1. Bill Gates (US)                              $40 bn   (last year #3)
2. Warren Buffett (US)                   $37 bn   (last year #1)
3. Carlos Slim Helus (Mexico)      $35 bn    (last year #2)
4. Lawrence Ellison (US)              $22.5 bn (last year #14)
5. Ingvar Kamprad (Sweden)      $22 bn     (last year #7)

Are you going to make it on the list next year? Hey, if you’re young enough, never say never!