NEW YORK, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg won a third term on Tuesday after defeating his Democratic challenger Bill Thompson.

New York mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks to supporters during his re-election victory party at campaign headquarters in New York, Nov. 3, 2009. Bloomberg was elected to serve a third term as mayor of New York. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Bloomberg, an independent candidate, had successfully persuaded the City Council to amend a law that would have restricted him to two terms, and spent some 90 million dollars of his personal fortune on his campaign.

    It was the fifth straight defeat for the Democrats, who, despite a massive registration advantage, have not captured the mayorship since 1989. Bloomberg, born on Feb. 14, 1942, is the richest man of New York City with a fortune of 16 billion dollars. He is also the founder and 88-percent owner of Bloomberg L.P., a financial news company.