Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates told an online advertising conference today that he'd prefer not to be the richest person in the world. He was being interviewed by CNBC's Donny Deutsch when he said ''I wish I wasn't.''
Gates is ranked by Forbes magazine as the world's richest man, with an estimated wealth of about $50 billion. He says nothing good comes of the listing. In his words, ''You get more visibility as a result of it.''
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is the world's largest philanthropy, with an endowment of $29 billion.
Still, Gates said his wealth and celebrity doesn't make it difficult for him to go out and do everyday things.