How big does your forture have to be to be the richest person in America? Ask Bill Gates

SEATTLE -- Bill Gates is once again the richest person in America according to Forbes.

Gates tops the annual Forbes 400 Ranking of richest Americans list at an estimated $81-billion. That’s actually up $9-billion from 2013.

Former Microsoft CEO and new LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer also made the list at #18 with an estimated $22.5-billion dollar fortune.

Forbes said the average net worth of a member of its Forbes 400 list is the highest to date at $5.7-billion.