27. Amancio Ortega

Title: Founder, Inditex

Country: Spain

Age: 79

Billionaire Amancio Ortega may keep a low profile, but his control of the Spanish fashion behemoth Inditex makes him one of Europe's most powerful business executives. He is also the second-richest man in the world, with a net worth that exceeds $73 billion, and by some estimates he even surpassed Bill Gates as the richest person in the world earlier this year. 

His surge in wealth is directly tied to Inditex's rapid growth. The company reported a sharp rise in sales and profits and nearly 100 new stores in September, hitting a $100 billion valuation. The company now has nearly 6,800 stores worldwide. The secret to this success is the fast-fashion giant Zara, the company's biggest brand. The chain is changing the landscape of retail as its chic yet affordable designs continue to appeal to demanding customers who constantly crave new styles at low prices.