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Who Put the Bill in the Billionaire.

 

The richest people in the world have lost billions but from the looks of it, you’d never know. A year ago 1,125 billionaires existed; today there are only 793 billionaires. The average billionaire’s net worth is $3 billion, which is down 23% in the last 12 months. Despite the numbers, the world’s billionaires are still sitting pretty on mega-properties. Bill Gate stock may be down but at the end of the day he goes home to a 66,000-square-foot compound. Gates compound worth as much as $113 million, costs $1 million in annual property taxes alone. Bill Gates built his home into a hillside on the edge of Lake Washington, near Seattle, it’s an 84-step trek to the main entrance. Not a fan of walking, don’t worry there’s an elevator. Wood columns in the foyer are over 70 feet tall, doors inside the house weigh over 800 pounds but have been balanced for easy handling. The roof is stainless steel and the woodwork flawless, with imported woods from around the world. Hidden cameras inundate the property and interior house. The most state-of-the-art movie theatre in the world is below ground encased in a concrete shell. “Fort” Gates features a 60 foot swimming pool with an underwater music system; a 2,500-square-foot gym; and a 1,000 square-foot dining room, which seats 24. The estate is electronically monitored down to its trees. A 40-year-old maple in the driveway is electronically monitored 24 hours a day. If the tree seems dry, the right amount of water is automatically dispensed. Not bad Mr. Bill Gates, not bad at all.