Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates topped Forbes magazine's list of the 400 richest Americans again this year, as several other high-tech executives dropped off the list and the net worth of America's billionaires declined overall. Gates was the richest person in America and the world again this year, worth $54 billion as of Aug. 27, according to the annual Forbes survey. Gates has placed first for eight years in a row. Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen came in third place, with $28.2 billion, separated from Gates by investor Warren Buffet, who is said to be Gates' sometime bridge partner. Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer also placed in the top 10, with a net worth of $15.1 billion.
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