IKEA founder overtakes Gates as richest man

The Swede who founded furniture retail chain IKEA has overtaken Microsoft's Mr Bill Gates as the world's richest man.

The Swede who founded furniture retail chain IKEA has overtaken Microsoft's Mr Bill Gates as the world's richest man.

Citing next week's edition of the Swedish business weekly

Veckans Affarer,

public service SVT2 television said Mr Ingvar Kamprad (77), has a personal fortune of 400 billion crowns ($53 billion).

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Mr Gates's fortune is put at $47 billion, according to the latest list of the world's rich in US Forbesmagazine, SVT2 said.

SVT2 said the dollar's slide against other currencies is the main reason Mr Kamprad has now overtaken Mr Gates.

Mr Kamprad, known for frugal habits such as flying economy class, lives in Switzerland and no longer takes part in the daily running of IKEA. But he has kept ownership of the company, with more than 180 stores in over 30 countries, in the family.