March 10, 2006

World's Richest: #43 Pierre Omidyar, Net Worth: $10.1 billion
French émigré and programmer started online auction site in 1995, allowed consumers to buy and sell everything from Alaskan acreage to vintage haute couture. Knew idea was a hit when traffic zoomed within first few weeks. Recent 10th anniversary gala punctuated by first-quarter-record $1 billion sales. But Ebay stock lately on bumpy ride: criticized for increasing vendor fees, inadequate policing of bogus bids; shares sank 40%. Jumped 20% when second-quarter sales last year topped expectations. With Meg Whitman (see) running Ebay day-to-day, concentrates on venture capital, philanthropy. Omidyar Network makes grants, donations to myriad nonprofit and for-profit businesses. >>> See Forbes 2006 richest -- From Darius KADIVAR

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