Still in the money

The Forbes 400 tracks the net worth of America's wealthiest people.

Microsoft's founder Bill Gates topped the list for the 21st consecutive year with a net worth of $81 billion — up $9 billion from 2013.

Warren Buffett, who recently helped finance the Burger King & Tim Hortons deal- came in second at $67 billion.

Larry Ellison, who stepped down as Oracle's chief executive earlier this month landed third with a net worth of $50 billion. Ellison's pay package has come under scrutiny from shareholders who argued he was making too much money despite Oracle's lacklustre results

Brothers Charles and David Koch, the co-owners of Koch Industries known for their generous donations to right-wing causes, tied in fourth position with $42 billion each.

The biggest gainer was Facebook founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg, whose net worth grew $15 billion to $34 billion, ranking eleventh on the list.

Overall, the combined wealth of America's 400 wealthiest people rose $270 billion to hit a record-breaking $2.29 trillion. The average net worth of a Forbes 400 member now stands at $5.7 billion, up from $5 billion last year, according to Forbes.