Come Back, Sir Richard

Sir Richard Branson has a net worth of $2.8 billion, which ties him with Steven Spielberg as the world's 245th wealthiest person. The foundation of his empire was Virgin Records, which he sold to EMI Thorn in 1992 in order to focus his attention on Virgin Atlantic Airways. He's known as an enlightened fellow: His not-for-profit Virgin Unite supports a variety of health care and education projects in Africa; last year he pledged to donate all profits from Virgin's travel companies for the next 10 years to the fight against global warming.

So Sir Richard must have winced when his old company and the Spice Girls -- Posh, Sporty, Ginger, Baby, and Scary, onetime role models for a generation of 7-year-olds -- announced plans for a globe-trotting reunion tour. Their mode of transport: one Lear Jet for each girl and her retinue, donated by Virgin Records. Each Spice Girl will earn $25 million; each jet will generate 9,500 tons of carbon dioxide. There's no word on whether the girls will add new material to their repertoire, or just sing carbon copies of their original hits.