The most powerful people in the world-ranked

See the list of the world's most influential leaders

7. Bill Gates, 61, business magnate, investor, author, and philanthropist. In 1975, Gates and Paul Allen co-founded Microsoft, which became the world's largest PC software company. During his career at Microsoft, Gates held the positions of chairman, CEO and chief software architect, and was the largest individual shareholder until May 2014. Since 1987, Gates has been included in the Forbes list of the world's wealthiest people and was the wealthiest from 1995 to 2007, again in 2009, and has been since 2014. Between 2009 and 2014, his wealth doubled from US$40 billion to more than US$82 billion. Between 2013 and 2014, his wealth increased by US$15 billion. Gates is currently the richest person in the world, with an estimated net worth of US$85.6 billion as of February 2017.(AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

More Photo Galleries

Military parade celebrates Army’s 250th

Cheers and chants rang out Saturday from a crowd of thousands as soldiers manned modern and historic tanks and aircraft for the Army’s 250th anniversary celebration in the District.

Pope Francis laid to rest in funeral Mass at the Vatican

Capitals' Alex Ovechkin on track to break Gretzky's NHL career goals record

Commanders' magical season ends in disappointing loss to Eagles

Four turnovers and a porous run defense were too much to overcome, as Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders lost 55-23 to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 26, 2025. (Photos by Brian Murphy for the Washington Times)

Boats return to the Potomac River for plane crash recovery and investigation

Auschwitz memorial holds observances on the 80th anniversary of the death camp's liberation

Inside the expansive collection of Washington football memorabilia

When Samu Qureshi sits down in the middle of his 4,100-square-foot “museum” in Bethesda, the longtime Washington football fan is surrounded by his life’s work.

Iconic, decrepit SS United States seeks home after Philadelphia eviction

The SS United States, a historic ship that still holds the transatlantic speed record it set more than 70 years ago, must leave its berth on the Delaware River in Philadelphia. Photo credit: Mike Glenn / The Washington Times

Poop statue erected across from U.S. Capitol ‘honors’ Jan. 6 participants

There’s something new blocking the view of the Capitol Building — a bronze turd sitting on a desk “honoring” the people who took part in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot.

Hamas terror site-turned-memorial has feel of America's 9/11

Cheryl Chumley travels to the Nova Festival site near Gaza which is now a makeshift memorial.

Taylor Swift at the Kansas City Chiefs game

Commanders show improvements, but can't close out Eagles in overtime

The Washington Commanders dropped to 2-2 on the season after losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in overtime 34-31 at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pa., October 1, 2023. (Photos by Brian Murphy for the Washington Times)