U.S. Forbes 400: The rich get richer (8 images)

With the release of Forbes' list of the 400 richest individuals in the U.S., it's clear that, as is the case in many lingering economic downturns, the rich find a way to continue accumulating their wealth. The collective net worth of the top 400 was up 8 percent, totaling $1.57 trillion over the past year.

With $54 billion in total wealth, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, as he has for years on end, topped the list of richest individuals in the U.S.

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CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, investor and philanthropist extraordinaire, Warren Buffet sits comfortably at second place with $45 billion.

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Co-founder and CEO of Oracle, Larry Ellison, while not as much of a public figure as the previous two multi-billionaires, can't complain with third place and $27 billion.

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Given the retailer's massive amount of success over the years, it comes as no surprise that fourth place is taken by Christy Walton, one of founder Sam Walton's daughters, with $24 billion. Jim, Alice and S. Robson Walton are all also in the top 10 with $18 billion apiece.

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