Mark Zuckerberg: Facebook founder is sixth richest person in the world

Facebook shares surged on Wednesday, and so did his net worth

The UK branch of Mark Zuckerberg's company technically ran at a loss last year (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

At just 31-years-old, Mark Zuckerberg is the sixth richest person in the world.

The teenager who started his empire from a Harvard dorm room and went on to launch the most popular social network in the world surpassed oil tycoons Charles and David Koch, aged 80 and 75 respectively, in terms of wealth on Friday.

The Facebook CEO is now worth an estimated $47.5 bn after his fortune rose $6 bn in trading on Thursday, according to Bloomberg. This is $1.5 bn higher than the estimated net wealth of the Koch brothers.

Facebook’s shares soared by 12 per cent in after-hours trading after the company announced its fourth quarter profits were up by 52 per cent on Wednesday.

Bill Gates, Amancio Ortega and Warren Buffet continue to hold their places as the three richest men in the world, with Gates at number one. The Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist has an estimated net worth of $70.8 bn.

The top six are:

1: Bill Gates $78.0 bn

2: Amancio Ortega $69.7 bn

3: Warren Buffett $59.4 bn

4: Jeff Bezos $55.8 bn

5: Carlos Slim $48.6 bn

6: Mark Zuckerberg $47.5 bn