Forbes has released its latest ranking of the world's billionaires. Today's billionaire elite continues to grow, hitting new heights and stretching to new corners across the world. There are a total of 1,645 billionaires, with an aggregate net worth of US$6.4 trillion, a significant rise from US$5.4 trillion one year ago.

This year's list sees a record 268 new faces, including 42 new women billionaires, the most ever, putting the total of female billionaires at 172. Among all the billionaires, about two-thirds have created their own fortune, 13 percent inherited it and 21 percent have made their inherited wealth grow bigger.

Bill Gates is back on top of the list after a four-year hiatus, reclaiming his title of the world's richest person, with a personal net worth of US$76 billion. Carlos Slim Helu, Mexico's telecom mogul who ranked No. 1 for the past four years, dropped to second place.

Here follow the top 10 billionaires in the world by Forbes in 2014

 Jim Walton

Net worth: US$34.7 billion

Age: 66

Source: Wal-Mart

Country of citizenship: United States