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[Pete Richards]

07. Naguib Sawiris



Worth: $3.1 billion

The Connection: Founder, Free Egyptians Party (2011)

Sawiris plunged into politics when he formed last year the Free Egyptians party to promote free markets and a secular government. Although he apologized, hard-line Islamists wanted him tried on charges of insulting Islam for tweeting a bearded Mickey Mouse and a veiled Minnie.

[Pete Richards]

08. Najib Mikati



Worth: $3 billion

The Connection: Prime Minister, Lebanon (2011-Present)

Najib Mikati became prime minister of Lebanon in January 2011 and immediately faced a series of threats to the country's stability--not least the violence in neighboring Syria. Mikati, who's a moderate in a divided nation, keeps in touch with a growing following on Twitter to explain his policies.

[Pete Richards]

09. Sebastian Pinera



Worth: $2.4 billion

The Connection: President of Chile (2010-present); Senator (1990-1998)

After he was elected president in 2010, Pinera kept his campaign promise to sell his holdings, a popular move. He unloaded his 26% stake in Chilean airline LAN for $1.5 billion, sold the TV channel Chilevision to Time Warner for a reported $150 million, and sold his share of popular soccer team Blanco & Negro. But last year after student protests, worker strikes, and raging wildfires in Torres del Paine National Forest, Pinera's approval ratings dropped to a reported 23%, the lowest of any Chilean president since Pinochet.

[Pete Richards]

10. Jeff Greene



Worth: $2.1 billion

The Connection: Senate candidate in 2010 Democratic Primary, Florida

Greene lost his primary battle to Kendrick Meek, who in turn lost to up-and-coming Republican all-star Marco Rubio.