• British art historian and conservator Pandora Mather-Lees helps billionaire super yacht owners to look after their art collections. 
• Mather-Lees teaches a €295-per-day course ($337) to help crew members understand the value of the art. In some cases, the art on board is worth more than the yachts. 
• "Now that the rich are increasingly bringing their art collections on board their yachts it’s vital that captains and crew know how to care for these pieces," she told the Observer. 

British art historian and conservator Pandora Mather-Lees is an Oxford-educated guide to the super rich, who helps them with the important task of keeping their art safe at sea.

Mather-Lees teaches a €295-per-day course ($337) to help crew members understand the value of the art and how to seek specialist help. In some cases, the art on board is worth several times more than the yachts. 

In this astounding interview in the Observer, she says: There are superyachts with "better collections than some national museums."

"Now that the rich are increasingly bringing their art collections on board their yachts it’s vital that captains and crew know how to care for these pieces," she told the Observer. 

She also tells horror stories: There's the one time unruly children threw corn flakes at a multi-million dollar Jean-Michel Basquiat painting because "they thought it was scary," then the crew made it worse by trying to wiping it off. 

She declined to name the owner or identify the artwork, but a Basquiat painting depicting a crazed, skull-shaped face sold at auction for a US record $110.5m in 2017. 

Similarly, the insanely wealthy's drink of choice — champagne — can be a real issue with cork damage causing very expensive restorations, in one instance after a multi-million dollar artwork was struck by the projectile. 

Mather Lees also outlined how yacht owners had trimmed artworks to make them fit certain walls and how one patron had turned a priceless Mark Rothko work 90 degrees, which may well have turned the artist in his grave. 

SEE ALSO: $90 million painting sale makes David Hockney the world's most expensive living artist

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• The towns housing the wealthiest people in the US have been revealed for 2019, and unsurprisingly the Silicon Valley neighbourhood of Atherton has come out on top — for the third year in a row. 
• Entry-level income for the 100 richest places topped $200,000, according to Bloomberg.
• Elite neighborhoods close to coasts came out on top, with California, New York, and Connecticut leading the way. 

The 20 wealthiest towns in the US have been revealed in a new ranking released by the Bloomberg Richest Places index.

Most of the neighborhoods are close to major cities and also tend to be coastal, with California and the Northeast particularly well represented. Many of the places listed are the hometowns of famous financiers, politicians, and actors, providing huge boosts to average income for the area. 

Entry-level income for the 100 richest places topped $200,000, according to Bloomberg, while all of the top 20 had an average income above $300,000 a year. 

20. Paradise Valley, Arizona — The town is close to Phoenix and is the hometown of the actors Emma Stone and Dick Van Dyke, with an average income of $300,521.

19. Rumson, New Jersey — Rumson has shot up the rankings this year. The area climbed a staggering 19 places with an average income of $303,542.

18. Westport, Connecticut — Climbing one place this year, Westport is situated on the Long Island Sound and the state's Gold Coast. It has an average income of $304,439.

• Almost half of Americans support Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's proposal to impose a 70% marginal tax rate on those who make over $10 million, according to a new poll conducted by Navigator Research. 
• 39% of Republicans, 47% of independents, and 73% of Democrats supported the proposal.  
• This squares with other recent polling. A January INSIDER poll found that 38% of Americans support Ocasio-Cortez's marginal tax rate hike. 

Close to half of Americans support Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's proposal to impose a 70% marginal tax rate on those who make over $10 million annually, according to a new poll conducted by the progressive group Navigator Research. 

When respondents were asked how they felt about Ocasio-Cortez's tax hike, 48% said they supported it and 28% said they opposed it.

After opponents and undecided respondents were told what a marginal tax rate is, support for the proposal climbed by 7 points to a total of 55% overall. This group was also informed that unmarried Americans earning over $500,000 annually pay a 37% tax rate. Opposition remained at 29%. 

While 50% of Republicans opposed the tax hike on the ultra-wealthy, 39% supported it. Meanwhile, 47% of independents and 73% of Democrats supported the proposal.  

"This new poll demonstrates once again that the conventional wisdom about taxing the super-wealthy is not only outdated, it's out of step with what the American people actually want," Bryan Bennett, a polling advisor to Navigator, said in a statement. 

Answering another set of questions, respondents said they trust Democrats and Republicans in Congress virtually equally when it comes to tax policy. But, they said they trust Democrats more than the GOP when it comes to taxing middle class Americans (by an 8-point margin) and multi-millionaires (by a 12-point margin). 

Navigator, run by Democratic operatives and pollsters, conducts monthly polls to inform the party's messaging on key issues. The group concluded that, in discussions about taxation, Democrats should "keep the focus on who pays what."

Read more: '2020 class warfare?': Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the left face off against billionaires in a fight to tax the rich

Navigator's finding are similar to other recent polling. A January INSIDER poll found that 38% of Americans support Ocasio-Cortez's marginal tax rate hike. 

Other recent surveys have found that nearly 60% of voters— and 45% of Republicans — are in favor of the proposal.

In fact, Ocasio-Cortez's proposal is generally more popular than the 2017 Republican tax cuts.

According to an October Gallup poll, 39% of Americans approved of the tax cuts, while 46% disapproved. And 51% of respondents said the tax cuts hadn't yet helped them financially.

And many have pointed out that Ocasio-Cortez's idea is nothing new. The US had a similarly high top tax rate between the 1930s and 1980s, a period of strong economic growth.

Americans also support raising taxes on wealthy Americans more generally. A Reuters poll last October found that three-quarters of Americans believe the wealthiest people in society should pay higher tax rates.

The Navigator poll surveyed 1,116 registered voters between January 28 and January 31. The poll sampled 1,012 voters nationwide and interviewed an additional 104 political independents with no partisan lean.

SEE ALSO: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's 70% tax on the super-rich is more popular than Trump's tax cuts, new poll shows

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NOW WATCH: Roger Stone explains what Trump has in common with Richard Nixon

• A feud playing out on Times Square billboards escalated on Friday after a group supportive of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez defended her opposition to Amazon's New York headquarters deal. 
• After a conservative business advocacy group blamed Ocasio-Cortez for 25,000 lost jobs and $4 billion in lost wages as a result of Amazon's cancellation of its Long Island City HQ2, a progressive group hit back with another billboard.
• "Fighting gentrification in NYC, helping to stop a $2.8 billion tax give-away, taking on the world's 3rd largest corporation, thanks AOC!" the Democracy for America ad read.

A feud playing out on Manhattan billboards escalated on Friday after a progressive group put up its own ad defending Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's opposition to Amazon's planned New York headquarters. 

The public fight began when the Job Creators Network, a conservative business advocacy group, put up a billboard in Times Square blaming Ocasio-Cortez for 25,000 lost jobs and $4 billion in lost wages as a result of Amazon's cancellation of its Long Island City HQ2.

"Thanks for Nothing, AOC!" read the ad, which was placed in a tourist-heavy spot. 

Ocasio-Cortez hit back at JCN in a series of tweets on Thursday in which she called the attack "wack" and said the group does the bidding of the pro-Trump billionaires it's funded by. The 29-year-old also argued that JCN's campaign is proof of how effectively she and her allies are "fighting dark money & anti-worker policies."

JCN was founded by Bernard Marcus, a billionaire who donated to Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. And the billionaire Mercer family, who also donated to Trump's campaign and funded the conservative news site Breitbart, have donated to a related group, the Job Creators Alliance.

JCN didn't relent, putting up two more billboards on Thursday, one of which read, "Hey AOC, saw your wack tweet."

Read more: 'Hey AOC, saw your wack tweet': Conservative business group escalates Times Square billboard feud with Ocasio-Cortez over Amazon HQ2 pullout

On Friday morning, progressive political action committee Democracy for America jumped into the fight, putting up its own Times Square billboard defending Ocasio-Cortez. 

"Fighting gentrification in NYC, helping to stop a $2.8 billion tax give-away, taking on the world's 3rd largest corporation, thanks AOC!"the ad read.

Ocasio-Cortez was an outspoken opponent of Amazon's HQ2 deal, but local lawmakers and activists led the pushback to the plans. The tech company was set to receive nearly $3 billion in tax incentives from the city and the state and said it would create 25,000 jobs for New Yorkers over the next decade.

Amazon cited the resistance of local politicians in a blog post announcing the cancellation.

Alex Ma contributed to this report. 

SEE ALSO: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez explains 'farting cows' and a 70% tax on the ultra-rich on 'Desus & Mero'

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NOW WATCH: The top 15 presidents according to historians

• Multi-billionaire Microsoft founder Bill Gates has a trampoline room in his $127 billion mansion complex.
• Gates told Redditors about the special room in an "Ask Me Anything" session on the platform on Monday.
• He also admitted that his biggest luxury was a private jet, which he said was "a very privileged thing to have."
• Gates' complex is situated in Medina, Washington; it cost more than $60 million and took four years to build.

When you're as wealthy as Microsoft founder Bill Gates (his net worth is almost $100 billion), you can afford some super-rich-guy extravagances.

In an "Ask Me Anything" session on Reddit on Monday, Gates admitted that his biggest luxury was a private jet, which he previously told Ellen Degeneres was "a huge indulgence."

In the AMA he added: "It [the jet] does help me do my Foundation work but again it is a very privileged thing to have."

Aside from his jet, Gates lives comfortably in his $127 million complex in Medina, Washington, which he nicknamed "Xanadu 2.0."

Read more:MOGUL MANSIONS: From Elon Musk to Jeff Bezos, here are the homes and estates owned by the wealthiest people in tech

The 66,000-square-foot house is brimming with state-of-the-art technology, and has seven bedrooms and 18 3/4 bathrooms.

In the AMA, Gates confessed that the enormous lakeside development also features a trampoline room.

"[The trampoline room] seems kind of over the top but my kids love using it to work off their excess energy," the billionaire said.

As well as the high-ceiling trampoline room, the home is also equipped with an in-house theater, library, and a 60-foot pool with its own underwater music system.

The house was built with 500-year-old Douglas fir trees, and 300 construction workers labored on the home — 100 of whom were electricians.

It cost more than $60 million and took four years to build.

During the AMA, Gates was also asked if being a billionaire has made him happier than if he were just a middle-class person.

He didn't beat around the bush.

"Yes," he wrote. "I don't have to think about health costs or college costs. Being free from worry about financial things is a real blessing."

Read more:Bill Gates says his wealth has freed him from daily concerns like healthcare — but he's right when he also says you don't need billions to be happy

"Of course you don't need a billion to get to that point," he added. "We do need to reduce the cost growth in these areas so they are accessible to everyone."

Another Redditor asked Gates to share what makes him happy. Gates didn't cite money, instead writing, "Some recently said that when your children are doing well, it really is very special, and as a parent I completely agree."

Another happiness booster? Gates wrote, "Sometimes following through on commitments to yourself like doing more exercise also improves your happiness."

SEE ALSO: MOGUL MANSIONS: From Elon Musk to Jeff Bezos, here are the homes and estates owned by the wealthiest people in tech

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NOW WATCH: A master chocolatier reveals the best chocolate for your mind and body

• China's superrich are losing their faith in the country's financial future as fears around the impacts of slowing global trade and slowing economic liberalization cause worry.
• A new survey found that just over a third of China's superrich described themselves as "very confident" about the future of the Chinese economy. That's less than half the number who said the same two years ago.
• Some rich citizens are even scared that China could end up following the same path as the once prosperous Venezuela, according to The New York Times.

China's superrich are losing faith in the country's financial future amid fears around the impacts of slowing global trade and slowing economic liberalization.

According to a paper published in January by Hurun Report, a Shanghai-based research firm, just over one-third of the superrich Chinese citizens in a survey described themselves as "very confident" about the future of the Chinese economy.

On the surface, that seems like a solid number, but it is startling when compared with the same survey two years ago, which showed that nearly two-thirds were very confident in China's economic future. It is also the lowest number in the 15 years the survey has been produced, Hurun said.

The same survey from Hurun also found that the number of wealthy Chinese who had "no confidence at all" in China's economic future had doubled from last year's survey to 14%.

Hurun's survey of 465 superrich Chinese citizens also found that almost half were considering emigrating or had already made moves to emigrate from China.

Read more: 'We've only just begun to fall': A closely watched economic bellwether is looking bleak

Word of China's wealthy elites losing faith in the future of China's runaway economic success story comes with the country at a major crossroads of a trade dispute with the US and a general slowdown in growth.

China's economic growth, while still very high by the standards of developed economies, is slowing. At the end of 2018, it expanded at its slowest year-on-year pace since the height of the Great Recession.

Not only is growth slowing, but many Chinese elites are said to be fearful that the economic liberalization that helped make China the second-largest economy on earth is stuttering.

A New York Times examination of the subject published in February suggested that some rich citizens were even scared that China could end up following the same path as the once prosperous Venezuela.

"Few are predicting a crash, but worries over China's long-term prospects are growing," The Times wrote. "Pessimism is so high, in fact, that some businesspeople are comparing China's potential future to another country where the government seized control of the economy and didn't ease up: Venezuela."

The report did not provide any specific examples of business executives on the record expressing such fears.

SEE ALSO: Markets rally on report China and US near deal to slash tariffs

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NOW WATCH: Amazon will pay $0 in federal taxes this year — here's how the $793 billion company gets away with it

• Forbes just released its annual ranking of the richest people in the world. 
• Among the 2,153 billionaires in the world, 135 built their wealth through their work in the healthcare industry.
• Here are the 10 richest billioniares who draw their wealth from the healthcare industry. 

Forbes just released its annual ranking of the top billionaires.

Among the 2,153 billionaires in the world, 135 built their wealth through their work in the healthcare industry — with others like Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos also tapping into the sector.

The billionaires come from around the world, drawing their fortunes from pharmaceuticals, hospitals, and medical devices. 

Here are the top 10 richest billionaires in healthcare. 

Charlotte Hu contributed to an earlier version of this post. 

SEE ALSO: Billions are pouring into digital health — here are the hottest young companies among VCs this year

10. Patrick Soon-Shiong

Net worth: $7 billion

Home country: USA

Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong invented the pancreatic cancer drug Abraxane, which became a blockbuster drug that's now owned by Celgene. He now owns a series of health and biotech startups like NantHealth, NantKwest, and NantWorks. At the time, NantKwest was a record-breaking $2.6 billion initial public offering. As of March, the company had a market cap of about $100 million. He also owns the Los Angeles Times and the San Diego Tribune. 

9. Frederik Paulsen

Net worth: $7.1 billion

Home country: Sweden

Frederik Paulsen inherited small drugmaker Ferring Pharmaceuticals in 1983, which makes infertility, obstetrics, urology, gastroenterology, and endocrinology drugs. The company in 2018 made a heat-stable drug that could prevent excessive bleeding in women after childbirth. 

8. Massimiliana Landini Aleotti and family

Net worth: $7.4 billion

Home country: Italy

Massimiliana Landini Aleotti inherited pharma giant Menarini from her late husband in 2014, and it is now one of Italy's leading drug companies. The company does drug research in the areas of cancer, analgesia, and gastro-intestinal conditions. 

• We ranked each member of the Kardashian-Jenner family according to net worth.
• Rob Kardashian has the lowest net worth with $10 million.
• The youngest, Kylie Jenner, is by far the wealthiest — beating Kim Kardashian West's net worth by a staggering $650 million.
• Kendall Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian, and Khloe Kardashian are all worth about the same, while Kris Jenner and Caitlyn Jenner are worth more than most of their children.

It's difficult to ignore the ever-present cycle of Kardashian-Jenner content, much less the family's opulent displays of wealth. They throw lavish parties, walk red carpets in custom Versace, and dress their toddlers in $10,000 fur coats.

And now, according to Forbes, Kylie Jenner is officially the youngest self-made billionaire ever.

But how much money do they actually have — and which members of the family enjoy more earnings than others? Keep reading for a complete list of the Kardashian-Jenner fortunes, with each family member listed in order of ascending net worth.

SEE ALSO: Kylie Jenner is the youngest self-made billionaire ever — and over-the-top photos show what $1 billion buys, from her luxurious baby accessories to a million-dollar car collection

8. Rob Kardashian has the lowest net worth of $10 million.

Rob Kardashian has become the most low-key member of the family. His $10 million fortune, calculated by Celebrity Net Worth, is mainly thanks to previous stints on "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" and its spin-off "Rob & Chyna."

Rob also founded Arthur George Socks, which got a boost from a 2017 collaboration with the Kylie Shop, one of his youngest sister's ventures.

7. Kendall Jenner's net worth is roughly $30 million.

Kendall Jenner boasts a collaborative clothing company with her sister Kylie; has lucrative endorsement deals with brands like Adidas, Calvin Klein, and Mango; and is the face of companies including Estée Lauder and La Perla.

She also happens to be the highest-paid model in the world, raking in $22.5 million in 2018 alone, according to Forbes.

Celebrity Net Worth currently estimates Kendall to be worth $30 million.

6. Kourtney Kardashian has a net worth of $35 million.

As the current season of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" has made clear, Kourtney Kardashian is less interested in business ventures than her sisters.

Kourtney's primary source of income is her starring role on the reality show, which nets her about $4.3 million each year, according to a 2016 Forbes analysis. This income, however, has likely increased since the family signed a $150 million joint media deal with E! in 2017.

The eldest sister's supplementary income is drawn from various brand deals, such as her campaigns with PrettyLittleThing and Fashion Nova, plus an endorsement with Manuka Doctor skin care products. Celebrity Net Worth estimates that Kourtney currently sits at $35 million.

• Successful hedge-fund managers are good at coming up with well-defined investment strategies to make money for their clients. 
• Hedge-fund managers usually charge their clients a management fee and take a percentage of the profits.
• Here are the richest hedge-fund managers in the world, based on Forbes' 2019 billionaires report, in ascending order of their net worth. 

Hedge-fund managers are good at coming up with well-defined investment strategies to make money for their clients. 

Historically, these managers have charged a 2% management fee and take around 20% of the annual profit they make for their clients. While some active funds have decreased fees to attract investors, successful managers have still been able to make a ton of money by managing the capital of their clients. 

Using Forbes 2019 report, Markets Insider compiled a list of the wealthiest hedge-fund billionaires. Here are the richest hedge-fund managers in the world, in ascending order of their net worth. 

Stanley Druckenmiller

Firm: Duquesne Capital Management

Net worth: $4.6 billion

Rank: 413

Source: Forbes

Robert Ziff

Firm: Ziff Brothers Investments

Net worth: $4.8 billion

Rank: 379

Source: Forbes

Dirk Ziff

Firm: Ziff Brothers Investments

Net worth: $4.8 billion

Rank: 379

Source: Forbes

• An energy startup called Pivot Bio raised $70 million for its genetically modified bacteria, which help cut down on the use of nitrogen fertilizer.
• In addition to using up energy and polluting rivers and streams, nitrogen fertilizer releases a  greenhouse gas that's 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
• With its latest round of funding, Pivot Bio plans to introduce a product for US corn farmers, before moving on to other crops like wheat and rice. 
• After conducting nearly 11,000 trials, the company found that its flagship product yielded better harvests than chemical fertilizer in 13 different US states.

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria may not sound like the most alluring topic, but it's capturing the attention of the world's most influential billionaires, who see it as a concrete way to help save the planet.

If the technology pans out, this long-dormant bacteria could alter the future of energy and agriculture by reducing environmental pollution, protecting the world's marine ecosystem, lowering production costs for farmers, and conserving energy usage. 

Read more:This entrepreneur left Wall Street to count the world’s calories. Now she’s warning of a global food disaster equal to the financial crisis.

In September 2018, a group of billionaire investors, including Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, and Michael Bloomberg, set aside $1 billion to invest in nine energy startups. The investments are part of a fund called Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV), which provides companies with "patient capital," or money that doesn't require a return on investment for up to 20 years. This gives scientists and engineers time to refine their transformative energy technologies. 

In its latest round of funding, California-based startup Pivot Bio raised $70 million for its genetically modified bacteria, with the majority of funds coming from BEV. 

Farmers are using too much fertilizer 

Before Pivot Bio set out to develop a product, it identified a major problem in the agriculture industry: Farmers are using too much fertilizer.

"A plant is kind of like a human. As its grows up, it has growth spurts," said Karsten Temme, the company's co-founder and CEO. "In the middle of the [growing] season, the plant is a teenager — you need to give it nutrients as fast as you can because that's when it's growing the quickest."

But farmers can't access the crops at that time, because the plants have grown too big. Driving a tractor through the field would run them all over. So, they've taken to adding nitrogen fertilizer in the off-season, leaving it exposed for an extended period of time.

That fertilizer then releases nitrous oxide, a type of greenhouse gas that's 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide. The gas also runs into rivers and streams, eating up the oxygen in the water so that no marine animals can survive. It's also toxic for humans: Coming into contact with the infested water can cause painful rashes, and ingesting it can lead to liver or kidney damage.

Pivot Bio has discovered a bacteria that cuts down on the need for hazardous fertilizer. According to Temme, the bacteria has been hiding in the environment for the last century, but the use of fertilizers has rendered them inactive. "We've rediscovered a lost part of the microbiome," he said. 

How the technology works

By genetically modifying the bacteria, Pivot Bio helps to activate them in the presence of nitrogen fertilizer. Farmers can then spray the bacteria in liquid form onto the seed itself. 

"As soon as that seed germinates and the first roots form, our microbes can latch on to that root and cover it like a glove," said Temme. This allows the bacteria to provide food to the plant on a daily basis, eliminating the need for excess fertilizer.

But there's one more obstacle: Farmers aren't quite used to the new technology. 

To get over this hump, Pivot Bio has proposed a bargain. Farmers can use the same methods they're accustomed to — spraying crops with fertilizers and insecticides from a tank on their tractor — in exchange for adding the genetically modified bacteria to the tank. 

It's a win for farmers, who don't have to spend as much money on fertilizer, and an even bigger win for the environment. Temme said that fertilizer production eats up around 3-4% of the world's energy, and the production process alone can release harmful emissions into the atmosphere.

While the challenge is lofty, Pivot Bio has a clear strategy in place. "Our first commitment is to bring a product into the marketplace for US corn farmers," said Temme. The product — which the company is calling "Proven"— stems from both real-life and academic tests, which showed that the bacteria could provide up to a quarter of the nitrogen needed for the plant to grow.

In February, the company announced the results of nearly 11,000 harvest trials across 13 different states in the US. The trials showed that Proven could produce more bushels per acre of corn than chemical fertilizer, even under different weather conditions and in different soil types. 

If its product was used on 30 million acres of land, the company estimated, it could prevent 20,000 metric tons of nitrous oxide emissions — the equivalent of taking 1.5 million cars off the road. 

After their first product hits the market, Pivot Bio will move on to other crops like rice and wheat. Together, corn, wheat, and rice consume about half of the world's nitrogen, said Temme. 

Though Pivot Bio is not the only company working with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, a vote of confidence from billionaires like Bezos and Gates is bound to help. 

SEE ALSO: Bill Gates says there are 5 'grand challenges' to stopping an apocalyptic future of floods, hurricanes, and drought

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: What staring at a screen all day does to your brain and body

• Australian-born billionaire Rupert Murdoch, 87, helms a media empire made up of newspapers like The Wall Street Journal, television networks like Fox News, and a handful of other publications across the world. 
• Murdoch inherited his very first newspaper from his father, who was a war reporter turned publisher. 
• Bloomberg estimates his net worth to be $19 billion, as of March 2019. 

Rupert Murdoch's name is one synonymous with media, but it took decades to build his sprawling empire.

He owns dozens upon dozens of newspapers spanning 3 continents, founded the Fox network — responsible for revolutionizing cable television to what it is today — in the 1980s, and has a net worth $19 billion. That makes him the 47th-richest person in the world.

Forbes describes his wealth as self-made, but Murdoch has been interested in media ever since his dad, Keith, left him a string of Australian newspapers when he was just 22 years old. 

He then grew his network of papers into a multibillion-dollar domain, cementing his name as a magnate in the industry. The 87-year-old plans to do the same as his father — Murdoch is handing off the reigns of 21st Century Fox, among his other corporations, to his sons to continue the tradition. 

Over the span of his five-decade career, Murdoch has been in four marriages and has six kids. He's also been the subject of variety of scandals, most prominently when his UK-based paper News of the World was forced to shutter after it was found to have hacked the phone of a slain teenager.

Take a look at how Murdoch got his start, the deals he has made, and the growth of his empire.

SEE ALSO: Meet the 15 richest American family 'dynasties,' who have a combined net worth of $618 billion

Rupert Murdoch graduated from Oxford University, then known as Worcester College, in 1952.

His father, Sir Keith Murdoch, a war reporter turned publisher, died the same year, and Murdoch went back to Australia to take over the family business at the age of 22.

Source: BBC News

Murdoch, seen here in 1960, inherited a chain of Australian newspapers from his father. According to Bloomberg, Murdoch embedded himself in all matters of production, from writing copy to managing the printer and redesigning page layouts.

He especially made it a priority to include "lurid stories and scandals," which made paper sales boom. He began buying other publications, including The Daily Mirror and the Perth Sunday Times.

Source: Bloomberg

Murdoch then went on to found Australia's first nationwide newspaper, The Australian, in 1964. Unlike Murdoch's other papers, it is not a tabloid.

Murdoch then founded News Corporation, known as News Corp, which owns more than 170 papers in Australia. 

Source: BBC News

• Hong Kong was named the least affordable city in the world to live in for the ninth year in a row. 
• Hong Kong's most expensive neighborhood is The Peak.
• The Peak is a gorgeous, secluded neighborhood that overlooks Hong Kong and is home to bankers, expatriates, business magnates, celebrities, and millionaires and billionaires.
• Jack Ma, the Chinese billionaire who founded Alibaba, is said to have purchased a $191 million mansion in the neighborhood in 2015, but it has never been confirmed.

Every city has that neighborhood — an address that signifies wealth. New York City has Fifth Avenue, London has Kensington, and Miami has South Beach.

Hong Kong has The Peak — short for Victoria Peak — a neighborhood that has been synonymous with wealth, luxury, and exclusivity since the colonial era.

As the least affordable city in the world for nine years running, Hong Kong takes the cake when it comes to luxury real estate.

Hong Kong is home to more super-rich individuals than any city in the world and, as Business Insider's Katie Warren reported, property prices have continued to climb, particularly in the luxury market.

At various times over the past decade, Pollock's Path, Barker Road, and Severn Road — all streets on The Peak — have claimed the title of the world's most expensive street.

The neighborhood is home to a mix of bankers, expatriates, business magnates, celebrities, and, more recently, Chinese millionaires and billionaires looking for a place to invest or vacation away from pollution in cities on the mainland. 

It's the kind of neighborhood that consistently breaks records for the most expensive real estate in the world. In 2015, it was rumored that Jack Ma, the Chinese billionaire who founded Alibaba, purchased a $191 million mansion there, but it has never been confirmed.

Last year, an unidentified buyer broke the record for the most expensive real estate in Asia, purchasing a 9,217-square-foot villa on The Peak for about $180 million, making it about $19,400 per square foot.

I visited the ritzy neighborhood last March to see why it continues to house some of the most coveted addresses in the world. It did not disappoint.

SEE ALSO: Jeff Bezos has passed Bill Gates to become the richest person in history — here's the secretive waterfront town where both billionaires live

The Peak is the neighborhood surrounding Victoria Peak, the highest point on Hong Kong Island, with an elevation of 1,811 feet. I took a taxi to get to Victoria Peak Lookout, a major tourist destination.

Most tourists ride the Peak Tram up. The Peak Galleria, a mega mall (read: tourist trap) at the top of the tramway is complete with souvenirs and a Madame Tussauds.

The Peak has been the city's most exclusive neighborhood for more than 100 years. Until 1947, only the British and Europeans were allowed to live there — a policy that infuriated Hong Kong's Chinese citizens. Before the tramway, residents were carried up the mountain on sedan chairs carried by migrant laborers.

Source: Frommer's, CNN Travel

• Kylie Jenner is the wealthiest member of the Kardashian-Jenner family, with a net worth of $1 billion. 
• This month, she was named the youngest self-made billionaire ever by Forbes magazine, though many critics argue she's not self-made because she was born into wealth and fame. 
• Jenner's main source of revenue is her cosmetics company, Kylie Cosmetics, which is worth $900 million.
• She spends thousands of dollars on her friends and family. She bought her mom Kris Jenner a $250,000 Ferrari 488 and took her boyfriend Travis Scott on a luxury vacation to Turks and Caicos for his birthday.
• Watch the video above to find out how she acquired her fortune and what she likes to splurge on.

Following is a transcript of the video.

Kylie Jenner was recently named the youngest self-made billionaire ever by Forbes magazine much to the chagrin of many critics, including Dictionary.com. At just 21, Jenner is worth $1 billion, and her cosmetics company, Kylie Cosmetics, is valued at $900 million. Much of the controversy surrounding Kylie's new title comes from the fact that she was born into wealth and fame. Not exactly the scenario most people picture when they hear the words "self-made."

According to the Kardashian-Jenner clan's most recent contract, their reality TV show now earns them $30 million per season, but it's unclear how that paycheck gets divided. However, with her newfound billionaire status, Kylie is now the most financially successful member of her family. Her older half-sister Kim has the second-highest net worth in the family, an estimated $350 million. Meanwhile, Kylie's mother, Kris, is worth $90 million. They say that while the devil works hard, Kris Jenner works harder, but really, Kylie might be working the hardest.

While being born a Kardashian-Jenner essentially ensured Kylie fame as well as a plush upbringing, she parlayed that influence into her own impressive income.

So where exactly does Kylie's money come from?

Kylie's main source of revenue is her cosmetics company, Kylie Cosmetics. She started the company at just 17, reportedly using $250,000 of her own money to launch her lip kits. That $250,000 came from various brand sponsorships and deals her mother helped secure for her during Kylie's teenage years. From walking in fashion shows to publishing a ghostwritten young adult fiction novel, Kris Jenner kept Kylie busy with various ventures.

A 2015 collaboration with Topshop and her sister Kendall also expanded into the Kylie and Kendall collection, a line at Neiman Marcus, and a collaboration with PacSun. As a result of all those contracts bringing in cash, Kylie was able to launch her business without outside funding, something most entrepreneurs aren't in a position to do.

Since its launch, Kylie has been the sole owner of Kylie Cosmetics as well as its CEO and chief marketing officer. Kylie Cosmetics officially launched in November 2015, offering three $29 lip kits to choose from. The demand for the kits caused the site to crash immediately, and once it was back up and running, the kit sold out within minutes. Within its first 18 months, Kylie Cosmetics made $420 million in sales, and it's estimated that Kylie personally earned $60 million after taxes.

Kylie herself attributes the early success of Kylie Cosmetics to her large social media following. Before she launched her lip kits, Kylie had a combined 56 million followers from Instagram and Twitter. She was also known for having a massive audience on Snapchat who she regularly updated about her life along with sneak peeks of her lip kits. Four years later, Kylie now has around 155 million combined followers on Instagram and Twitter.

Her huge social media following also brings in a hefty income for Kylie through sponsored posts. The estimated value of a single post is $1 million. She's posted ads for Quay Sunglasses, Teami Blends detox tea, SugarBearHair Vitamins, and more.

Kylie's social media is also where we can see how she spends her millions. In 2016, she purchased a 1.4-acre Hidden Hills compound, which includes a 1,300-square-foot mansion, for $12 million. Over the last two years, Kylie has bought at least five other properties totaling more than $40 million. With all those properties, she definitely has the space to store all of her luxury cars. Since receiving a $225,000 black Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon for her 16th birthday, Kylie has amassed a pretty impressive luxury car collection. She's recently reported to have paid an estimated $10,000 to wrap her G-Wagon to match her $400,000 Lamborghini Aventador. For her 19th birthday, Kylie bought herself a one-of-a-kind Land Rover for $200,000. Her collection also includes a maroon G550 4x4 SUV, multiple Ferraris, a black Bentley Bentayga, and a number of Rolls-Royces each worth six figures. And as an early birthday present, Kylie gifted her mother a Ferrari 488 worth $250,000.

Kylie definitely loves to spoil the people in her life. For boyfriend Travis Scott's birthday, Jenner rented out Six Flags Magic Mountain in Los Angeles, which starts at $150,000. The birthday festivities continued in Turks and Caicos where the couple stayed at luxury beach resort Amanyara, where luxury suites cost up to $23,538 per night.

Kylie's faced criticism for spending a lot of money on her daughter, Stormi. From purchasing an $820 Gucci baby carrier to a $12,500 Fendi baby stroller, Kylie seems keen on introducing Stormi to luxury right away. But considering Jenner gave birth at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles where private birthing suites range from $3,600 to $5,100 a night, is that really a surprise?

During an online closet tour, Kylie revealed her impressive bag collection. Her closet includes an entire row of Hermes Birkin bags, one of the most expensive bags in the world. She already has a mini Birkin bag picked out to be Stormi's first purse. Asked what she would grab in the event of a fire, Kylie said she'd grab a $432,000 Hermes Himalayan crocodile skin Birkin bag with 18 karat white gold hardware and more than 200 diamonds.

Kylie's lavish accessory budget extends to her hair. The makeup mogul is known for frequently transforming her locks with custom wigs created by hairstylist Tokyo Stylez, which can cost up to $5,000 per wig. Kylie is willing to pay a lot to look perfect. Her beauty budget includes $30 for her favorite mink eyelashes from Lilly Lashes, $350 spray tanning sessions at Jimmy Coco, and fresh manicures by Britney Tokyo, an LA-based manicurist who charges $125 for a two-hour session and an additional $50 for house calls.

The youngest Kardashian-Jenner certainly knows how to make waves, especially when it comes to expanding her cosmetics empire into a billion-dollar business. As for whether Kylie Jenner will always be the youngest self-made billionaire ever, only time will tell.

Join the conversation about this story »

• A new study analyzed the birthdate of each of the top 250 billionaires who featured on Forbes magazine’s latest Billionaire List.
• Libra was the most common sign, with 27 notable billionaires including Ralph Lauren, Stefan Persson, Liliane Bettencourt, and Alice Walton.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Whether you’re a passionate Scorpio, a loyal Leo, or an empathetic Pisces, each zodiac sign has different personality traits. But did you know one zodiac sign, in particular, is the most likely to produce billionaires?

A new study has figured out the most common star sign among the world’s wealthiest billionaires. They analyzed the birthdate of each of the top 250 billionaires who featured on Forbes magazine’s latest Billionaire List — and found Libra is the most common sign.

And, if you believe in horoscopes and you’re aLibra, then you’re more likely to become a billionaire. Lucky for you!

With notable billionaires including Ralph Lauren, Stefan Persson, Liliane Bettencourt, Alice Walton, Libra is the star sign of 27 famous-wealthy faces. Following closely behind is Pisces, with 22 billionaires, including Bernard Arnault, Rupert Murdoch, and Michael Dell.

Cancer, Taurus, Leo are the signs of 20 billionaires, ranking them joint third. Famous faces include Richard Branson (Cancer), Elon Musk (Cancer), Mark Zuckerberg (Taurus), David Koch (Taurus), Larry Ellison (Leo), and Sergey Brin (Leo).

Gemini and Aries are the signs of 15 billionaires each, including Jim Walton (Gemini), Steve Ballmer (Aries), and Mukesh Ambani (Aries).

Aquarius and Virgo are the next richest signs with 12 and 11 billionaires respectively — including Michael Bloomberg (Aquarius), Paul Allen (Aquarius), Warren Buffet (Virgo), and Jack Ma (Virgo). Where does yours rank?

Here are the zodiac signs with most billionaires.

SEE ALSO: Richard Branson on the 'million-dollar lesson they don’t teach in business school' — plus 12 more secrets from highly successful people

1. Libra (September 23 — October 22)

Number of billionaires: 27

Famous Libra billionaires: Ralph Lauren, Stefan Persson, Liliane Bettencourt, Alice Walton

2. Pisces (February 19 – March 20)

Number of billionaires: 22

Famous Pisces billionaires: Bernard Arnault, Rupert Murdoch, Michael Dell

3. Cancer (June 21 — July 22)

Number of billionaires: 20

Famous Cancer billionaires: Sir Richard Branson (Virgin Group), Elon Musk, Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken

• Warren Buffett is the third-richest person in the world and has a net worth of $86 billion.
• He's also one of the most frugal billionaires, known for his practical investing strategies and modest lifestyle. 
• The CEO and chairman of Berkshire Hathaway still lives in the house he bought in the 1950s, which is now worth over $652,000.
• Watch the video above to learn how Buffett makes and spends his money.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. 

Following is a transcript of the video.

Narrator: In 2018, Warren Buffett's net worth stood at $88 billion, making him the third-richest person in the world. But Buffett doesn't spend like his billionaire peers. He lives in the same house he bought in the '50s and doesn't make lavish purchases. He's even portrayed as frugal in his cameo in "The Office."

Warren Buffett: Can you do any better on salary?

Jim: Unfortunately, that range is set at corporate.

Buffett: What about mileage when I use my car? I mean, gas ain't cheap, you know.

However, the 88-year-old is regarded as one of the most generous philanthropists on the planet. Since 2000, he's donated $46 billion to various causes. So here's how Warren Buffett spends, or doesn't spend, his billions.

Narrator: He had a penchant for making money at a young age. Buffett is the son of a US congressman, and he bought his first stock when he was just 11 years old. As a teen, he delivered newspapers and pulled in $175 a week. At the time, that was more than his teachers. He also buffed cars, sold used golf balls and stamps, and by age 16, he had amassed $53,000.

He earned most of his wealth after his 50th birthday. 99% of his wealth is connected to Berkshire Hathaway, a conglomerate that owns companies including Geico, Duracell, and Dairy Queen along with large investments in Coca-Cola, Heinz, and Bank of America. As the company's chairman and CEO, Buffett became one of the most successful investors of all time. He's been dubbed The Oracle of Omaha for his ability to beat the market with a philosophy called value investing. Buffett looks to take large ownership stakes in companies that have a well-performing stock and are consistently profitable.

Imagine this, for example: If you invested $100 in Berkshire Hathaway's stock in 1965, when The Oracle took over, it would be worth $2.4 million in 2017. If you invested the same amount at the same time in the S&P 500, you'd only have $15,600. His sage investing has helped him rack up a net worth greater than the GDP of Uruguay.

So what does Warren Buffett spend his massive fortune on? He bought his house in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1958 for $31,500. Adjusted for inflation, that would be about $276,700 today. As of 2017, the five-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom home is worth over $652,000. Buffett calls it the third-best investment he ever made. In 1971, he bought a vacation home in Laguna Beach, California, for $150,000. Forty-seven years later, he sold it for $7.5 million. And his cars are as modest as his houses. In 2006, he drove a Cadillac DTS, which had a starting price of $42,000. He replaced it in 2014 with a Cadillac XTS, which originally started at $44,600. The same goes for his tech. Even though Apple stock is a major part of Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio, Buffett still uses a flip phone that he showed off on CNN.

Buffett: This is the one Alexander Graham Bell gave me.

Narrator: A typical day for the peculiar billionaire goes like this. He puts on one of his 20 suits designed by his friend, Madam Li. He gets the suits for free but says he wears them because they fit perfectly. During his drive to the office, he stops at McDonald's and spends at most $3.17 on breakfast. He spends 80% of the day reading and drinks five Cokes throughout the day.

Buffett:♪ I'd like to buy the world a Coke ♪ ♪ And keep it company ♪  Boy, that is the real thing.

Narrator: He's known for having the diet of a 6-year-old and even sometimes eats ice cream for breakfast. He does have one expensive indulgence though: a private jet.

Charitable giving accounts for most of his spending. In 2016, he donated $2.9 billion to charities including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, which is named for his late wife. Through the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, he has donated tens of millions to Planned Parenthood and the National Abortion Federation. In 2018, he made another big donation to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, this time, $2.6 billion in Berkshire Hathaway stock. A week later, he donated $800 million to other various charities.

When he passes, he plans on leaving $2 billion for each of his children. The rest of his estate will be donated to philanthropic causes. Despite his affluence, Buffett doesn't think money equals success. Instead, he said, "I measure success by how many people love me."

Join the conversation about this story »

• Beyoncé and Jay-Z are "music's first billionaire couple," worth a combined $1.26 billion.
• They don't just make money through music — they are entrepreneurs with major stakes in companies like Roc Nation, Tidal, D'USSÉ, and Ivy Park. 
• With their fortune, they buy houses, clothes, jewelry, private jets, donate to charity, and much more.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. 

Following is a transcript of the video.

Narrator: In 2018, Beyoncé's net worth was $355 million, and Jay-Z's was $900 million. Combined, the couple is worth a whopping $1.26 billion. As chart-topping musicians, of course they've made a lot of money through their hits, but they've also brought in millions through other entrepreneurial pursuits, making them one of the richest power couples in the world. Their joint "On the Run II Tour" grossed $253.5 million, earning an average of $5.28 million per concert. In 2018, Beyoncé headlined Coachella and was estimated to receive between $8 million to $12 million for her performance. She then signed a $60 million deal with Netflix, which includes the documentary "Homecoming," chronicling her preparation for Coachella. "Homecoming" was released on April 17, 2019.

Beyoncé: Catch the fever.

Narrator: Beyoncé's fortune doesn't just come from performing. In 2010, she launched a fragrance called Heat. It made $75,000 in its first day and $400 million overall. 2015 saw the launch of her vegan meal-delivery service, and the following year, she launched her Ivy Park clothing line. And like most celebrities, Beyoncé has made a lot of money through endorsements. To name a few: Tommy Hilfiger, L'Oréal, American Express, and Pepsi.

Beyoncé: ♪ The joy of Pepsi. ♪

Narrator: Beyoncé also has a stake in Jay-Z's music-streaming company, Tidal. Mr. Carter bought the company in 2015 for $56 million, but its value increased when Sprint bought a third of the company in early 2017. It's now worth $600 million. Jay-Z's albums and live tours have brought in millions of dollars over his 30-year rap career.

Jay-Z: ♪ Keep your a-- tight in Versace ♪ ♪ That's why you gotta watch your friends, ♪ ♪ you got to watch me. ♪

Narrator: The most money he made from a solo tour was in 2017 during his "4:44 Tour," which netted $48.7 million. That same year, Jay-Z signed a 10-year deal with Live Nation for $200 million. Live Nation owns Jay-Z's entertainment label, called Roc Nation, a big source of his income. Roc Nation represents musical artists and athletes. In 1999, he cofounded the clothing company Rocawear, which he then sold in 2007 for $204 million. He reportedly has a stake in Armand de Brignac, a company that makes $300 Champagne nicknamed "Ace of Spades," and has his own brand of cognac, D'USSÉ.

Jay-Z was an early investor in Uber in 2011, and he started his own venture capital fund called Marcy Venture Partners last year. He also had a stake in the Brooklyn Nets, which he wrote was "never about the investment; it was about the Nets and Brooklyn." His share was estimated at $350,000 when he sold it due to conflict of interest with Roc Nation Sports.

So how do they spend all that money? One way they spend it is on real estate. Some of their homes include this house in the Hamptons, this converted church in New Orleans, and an $88 million mansion in Bel Air, California. Beyoncé and Jay-Z also spend money on their family. Beyoncé reportedly bought a $5.9 million house for her mother in Houston. The couple is also said to have spent more than $80,000 on matching gold cribs for their twins, and they bought an $11,000 dress for their other daughter, Blue Ivy, to wear to the MTV Video Music Awards.

They spend money on things like courtside basketball tickets, expensive restaurants, nice clothes, jewelry, and gifts for each other. Beyoncé once bought Jay-Z a $40 million private jet for Father's Day. But Beyoncé and Jay-Z don't just spend their money on lavish homes, gifts, and vacations. They also put some of it toward charity.

After Hurricane Harvey in Beyoncé's native Houston, she donated both time and money to help with the aftermath. She and Jay-Z each help fund scholarships for disadvantaged youth. Jay-Z has also produced films to raise awareness about issues like racism in the criminal justice system. The couple has spent millions on charities and made some extravagant purchases. With income streaming in from so many different sources, who knows what lies ahead for music's first billionaire couple.

Join the conversation about this story »

• According to Wealth-X's 2019 Billionaire Census report, the United States has the most billionaires in the world, with 420 more than the next closest country, China.
• In fact, the combined net worth of US billionaires exceeds the total billionaire wealth of the next eight highest-ranked countries: China, Germany, Russia, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Hong Kong, India, and Saudi Arabia.
• These top 15 countries overall for billionaires, ranked below, account for 75 percent of the global billionaire population.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The United States has the most billionaires in the world, with 420 more than the next closest country, China, according to Wealth-X's 2019 Billionaire Census report. There are 705 billionaires in the United States, 285 in China, 146 in Germany, 102 in Russia, and 97 in the United Kingdom.

The combined net worth of US billionaires exceeds the total billionaire wealth of the next eight highest-ranked countries (China, Germany, Russia, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Hong Kong, India, and Saudi Arabia).

The report further stated that the top 15 countries accounted for 75 percent of the global billionaire population. Collectively, the 1,942 billionaires in these 15 countries are worth $6.8 trillion — that accounts for 79 percent of total global billionaire wealth in 2018.

Here are the top 15 countries with the most billionaires in 2019. 

SEE ALSO: These are the zodiac signs with the most billionaires — and the least

1. United States

Number of billionaires: 705

Total billionaire wealth: $3,013 billion

Richest Individual: Jeff Bezos ($118 billion)

2. China

Number of billionaires: 285

Total billionaire wealth: $996 billion

Richest Individual: Jack Ma ($41.8 billion)

3. Germany

Number of billionaires: 146

Total billionaire wealth: $442 billion

Richest Individual: Dieter Schwarz ($23.6 billion)

4. Russia

Number of billionaires: 102

Total billionaire wealth: $355 billion

Richest Individual: Leonid Mikhelson ($21.6 billion)

5. United Kingdom

Number of billionaires: 97

Total billionaire wealth: $209 billion

Richest Individual: Jim Ratcliffe ($18.7 billion)

6. Switzerland

Number of billionaires: 91

Total billionaire wealth: $240 billion

Richest Individual: Ernesto Bertarelli ($16 billion)

7. Hong Kong

Number of billionaires: 87

Total billionaire wealth: $259 billion

Richest Individual: Li Ka-Shing ($30.8 billion)

8. India

Number of billionaires: 82

Total billionaire wealth: $284 billion

Richest Individual: Mukesh Ambani ($49.5 billion)

9. Saudi Arabia

Number of billionaires: 57

Total billionaire wealth: $147 billion

Richest Individual: Alwaleed Al Saud ($14.7 billion)

10. France

Number of billionaires: 55

Total billionaire wealth: $195 billion

Richest Individual: Bernard Arnault ($88.5 billion)

11. United Arab Emirates

Number of billionaires: 55

Total billionaire wealth: $165 billion

Richest Individual: Majid Al Futtaim ($5.13 billion)

12. Brazil

Number of billionaires: 49

Total billionaire wealth: $154 billion

Richest Individual: Jorge Paulo Lemann ($22.4 billion)

13. Italy

Number of billionaires: 47

Total billionaire wealth: $141 billion

Richest Individual: Giovanni Ferrero ($24.2 billion)

14. Canada

Number of billionaires: 45

Total billionaire wealth: $87 billion

Richest Individual: Sherry Brydson ($8.39 billion)

15. Singapore

Number of billionaires: 39 

Total billionaire wealth: $84 billion

Richest Individual: Wee Cho Yaw ($8.53 billion)

Read the original article onCEOWorld.biz.

• Air travel is slated to contribute to 22% of the world's carbon emissions by 2050.
• Flying first-class or private contributes more carbon output per person than flying coach. 
• Nevertheless, Air Charter Service said a record number of Davos attendees are flying private to the Swiss resort this week. 
• The World Economic Forum disputes that claim. 

Air travel is horrible for the planet. 

And it's only set to become worse as more and more people fly; the demand for air travel is set to double in the next 20 years. As a result, aviation is slated to contribute to 22% of the world's carbon emissions by 2050. Right now, it contributes nearly 3%. 

"(A)lthough no other human activity pushes individual emission levels as fast and as high as air travel, most of us don’t stop to think about its carbon impact," Roger Tyers, an environmental sociologist at University of Southampton, wrote at The Conversation in 2017.

Yet, government and business leaders attending the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, better known as Davos, are flying privately in record numbers this year, according to the Air Charter Service. 

The Air Charter Service estimated that up to 1,500 private jets will fly to and from Davos this week, as The Guardian reported on Tuesday. That's 11% greater than the number of private planes used in 2018 to attend the conference at the Swiss resort.

Days after the Air Charter Service report, the World Economic Forum claimed that only 135 roundtrip private flights will service Davos this week, which is 14% fewer flights than the 2018 conference. However, the WEF sourced that number from two airports near Davos, where the Air Charter Service analyzed four airports near the conference. 

Read more: Here are the major world leaders and royals going to Davos — and those staying at home

A first-class air travelers' carbon footprint is as much as seven times larger than the average passenger's, according to a study from the World Bank. That's because they take up more room in an airplane.

Having one's own plane, rather than sharing it with others, is even worse for the environment as you're burning tens of thousands of gallons of fossil fuels to just move yourself or a small group.

While not flying altogether is preferable, more people in fewer planes is effective for offsetting air travel's carbon output. 

Meanwhile, manyleaders in Davos are urging that the world takes climate change seriously.

It's estimated that climate change will displace up to 300 million people. Experts say that climate change is already disrupting populations in Syria, where a prolonged drought may have catalyzed the country's devastating civil war, and Tuvalu in the South Pacific. 

Despite the causalities that climate change have already caused, and are slated to foster in the coming decades, private jets at Davos are becoming more common and more ostentatious. 

“There appears to be a trend towards larger aircraft, with expensive heavy jets the aircraft of choice, with Gulfstream GVs and Global Expresses both being used more than 100 times each last year," Andy Christie, private jets director at the ACS, told The Guardian. 

The reason? Christie said Davos attendees are preferring more and larger private planes "possibly due to business rivals not wanting to be seen to be outdone by one another."

The WEF said it offsets all carbon emissions from air travel to and from Davos — whether it's private or commercial. 

SEE ALSO: Here's what Earth might look like in 100 years — if we're lucky

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The rise and fall of Donald Trump's $365 million airline

• According to Wealth-X's 2019 Billionaire Census report, the United States has the most billionaires in the world, with 420 more than the next closest country, China.
• In fact, the combined net worth of US billionaires exceeds the total billionaire wealth of the next eight highest-ranked countries: China, Germany, Russia, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Hong Kong, India, and Saudi Arabia.
• These top 15 countries overall for billionaires, ranked below, account for 75 percent of the global billionaire population.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The United States has the most billionaires in the world, with 420 more than the next closest country, China, according to Wealth-X's 2019 Billionaire Census report. There are 705 billionaires in the United States, 285 in China, 146 in Germany, 102 in Russia, and 97 in the United Kingdom.

The combined net worth of US billionaires exceeds the total billionaire wealth of the next eight highest-ranked countries (China, Germany, Russia, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Hong Kong, India, and Saudi Arabia).

The report further stated that the top 15 countries accounted for 75 percent of the global billionaire population. Collectively, the 1,942 billionaires in these 15 countries are worth $6.8 trillion — that accounts for 79 percent of total global billionaire wealth in 2018.

Here are the top 15 countries with the most billionaires in 2019. 

SEE ALSO: These are the zodiac signs with the most billionaires — and the least

1. United States

Number of billionaires: 705

Total billionaire wealth: $3,013 billion

Richest Individual: Jeff Bezos ($118 billion)

2. China

Number of billionaires: 285

Total billionaire wealth: $996 billion

Richest Individual: Jack Ma ($41.8 billion)

3. Germany

Number of billionaires: 146

Total billionaire wealth: $442 billion

Richest Individual: Dieter Schwarz ($23.6 billion)

4. Russia

Number of billionaires: 102

Total billionaire wealth: $355 billion

Richest Individual: Leonid Mikhelson ($21.6 billion)

5. United Kingdom

Number of billionaires: 97

Total billionaire wealth: $209 billion

Richest Individual: Jim Ratcliffe ($18.7 billion)

6. Switzerland

Number of billionaires: 91

Total billionaire wealth: $240 billion

Richest Individual: Ernesto Bertarelli ($16 billion)

7. Hong Kong

Number of billionaires: 87

Total billionaire wealth: $259 billion

Richest Individual: Li Ka-Shing ($30.8 billion)

8. India

Number of billionaires: 82

Total billionaire wealth: $284 billion

Richest Individual: Mukesh Ambani ($49.5 billion)

9. Saudi Arabia

Number of billionaires: 57

Total billionaire wealth: $147 billion

Richest Individual: Alwaleed Al Saud ($14.7 billion)

10. France

Number of billionaires: 55

Total billionaire wealth: $195 billion

Richest Individual: Bernard Arnault ($88.5 billion)

11. United Arab Emirates

Number of billionaires: 55

Total billionaire wealth: $165 billion

Richest Individual: Majid Al Futtaim ($5.13 billion)

12. Brazil

Number of billionaires: 49

Total billionaire wealth: $154 billion

Richest Individual: Jorge Paulo Lemann ($22.4 billion)

13. Italy

Number of billionaires: 47

Total billionaire wealth: $141 billion

Richest Individual: Giovanni Ferrero ($24.2 billion)

14. Canada

Number of billionaires: 45

Total billionaire wealth: $87 billion

Richest Individual: Sherry Brydson ($8.39 billion)

15. Singapore

Number of billionaires: 39 

Total billionaire wealth: $84 billion

Richest Individual: Wee Cho Yaw ($8.53 billion)

Read the original article onCEOWorld.biz.

• The Cannes Film Festival attracts not only the world's most famous movie stars, but some of the most expensive yachts.
• Forbes has published a running list of all the billionaire-owned yachts spotted on the Côte d'Azur so far.
• We've rounded up some of the most impressive and expensive ones.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Each year, the Cannes Film Festival attracts some of the world's most famous actors, who attend glitzy premieres and A-list parties fueled by plenty of Champagne.

As a year-round destination for yachts, the festival, which takes place at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France, from May 14 to 25, also brings in some of the world's most impressive — and expensive — vessels.

Forbes is yacht-spotting live from Cannes, updating a list of more than 50 superrich yacht owners who have descended on the Côte d'Azur for the festival.

Read more:A former flight attendant says these are the 2 worst things passengers can do

The vessels on the list include those spotted in Monte Carlo, Cap d'Antibes, Marseilles, La Ciotat, and Saint-Tropez.

We've rounded up some of the most impressive billionaire yachts spotted at the Cannes Film Festival so far, ranked in ascending order by estimated cost or value.

Atlantis II — $100 million

Owned by the family of the shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos, this 380-foot yacht is in Monaco, according to Forbes. SuperYachtFan values it at $100 million.

Romea — $120 million

The 268-foot Romea, owned by the metal billionaire and investor Alexander Nesis, can be found in La Ciotat. Its estimated value is $120 million.

Musashi — $130 million

Also in La Ciotat is Musashi, the Oracle founder Larry Ellison's 287-foot yacht, which is estimated to be worth $130 million.

Lionheart — $150 million

The British billionaire Philip Green is the owner of Lionheart, a 295-foot yacht worth an estimated $150 million that can be found in Monaco.

Maltese Falcon — $150 million

Another superyacht with an estimated $150 million price tag is the Maltese Falcon, a 289-foot vessel owned by the hedge fund success story Elena Ambrosiadou. Forbes spotted it in Cannes.

Aquila — $150 million

Both SuperYachtFan and GT Spirit estimate the 281-foot Aquila, which is in Antibes and is owned by the Walmart heiress Ann Walton Kroenke, to be worth $150 million.

Sunrays — $150 million

The steel and oil magnate Ravi Ruia appears to be headed for Antibes — or at least his yacht is, Forbes said. The 280-foot vessel is worth an estimated $150 million.

Madame Gu — $150 million

Also in Antibes is Madame Gu, which belongs to the steel billionaire Andrei Skoch. Clocking in at an impressive 325 feet, the yacht has an estimated cost of up to $150 million.

Lady Lara — $160 million

Breaking the $150 million mark is Lady Lara, owned by the metal and energy billionaire Alexander Machkevitch. The 299-foot yacht, worth an estimated $160 million, was spotted on its way to Antibes.

Tatoosh — $160 million

Also valued at an estimated $160 million is Tatoosh, a 303-foot yacht owned by the estate of the Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen. It was recently spotted in Marseilles.

Read more:Inside Paul Allen's $162 million yacht, Tatoosh, now available for purchase

Rising Sun — $300 million

David Geffen, the film magnate, producer, and studio executive, is the owner of the Rising Sun, a 454-foot superyacht enjoying the sun in Cannes.

The vessel cost $200 million to build, according to Club Yacht, but is now valued at $300 million, according to Yacht Harbour.

Sailing Yacht A — $480 million

The 469-foot Sailing Yacht A is hard to miss, as anyone who spotted it on its way to Antibes has surely discovered.

One of the largest private sailing yachts in the world, it's owned by a Russian billionaire named Andrey Melnichenko and has been estimated to be worth a whopping $480 million.

Its masts are taller than Big Ben, and among its features are eight decks, a free-floating spiral staircase, a huge swimming pool, and an underwater observation pod.

Read more:A Russian billionaire's $480 million superyacht has been spotted again, this time by Conor McGregor — and he's freaking out

Serene — $500 million

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is the owner of the 439-foot Serene vessel, which Forbes spotted heading to Monaco.

Prince Mohammed reportedly dropped $500 million on the superyacht in late 2016 after seeing it while vacationing in the south of France.

It has two helipads, an indoor climbing wall, a fully equipped spa, and three swimming pools.

Eclipse — $590 million

Roman Abramovich, a steel and investment billionaire who owns Chelsea FC, is the owner of the 533-foot superyacht Eclipse, perhaps one of the most recognizable in the world.

While its initial cost was estimated at about $590 million, later valuations rocketed up to an incredible $1.5 billion.

Read more:An up-close look at Roman Abramovich's $1 billion superyacht

Dilbar — $600 million

The most expensive yacht on this list, Dilbar is owned by the steel and telecoms tycoon Alisher Usmanov, according to Forbes.

The 512-foot yacht's estimated cost is between $600 million and $1 billion.