The Richest Kings in History

Throughout history, kings have held immense power and wealth. With control over vast lands and territories, kings have been able to accumulate wealth through various economic systems, including taxes, trade, and business ventures. While it is challenging to determine the exact wealth of kings throughout history, several monarchs have amassed significant fortunes through their ventures. While personal net worth is one way to measure the wealth of kings, their true wealth lies in the lands and territories they control and their power over their subjects. Kings have historically used their wealth and power to influence the world around them, leaving a lasting impact on their countries and the world. Let’s look at some of the wealthiest kings throughout history. \r \r 1. Mansa Musa\r \r Mansa Musa, the tenth ruler of the Mali Empire in West Africa, is widely considered the richest person in history. He became emperor in 1312 and ruled for more than 20 years, expanding the Mali Empire's borders and increasing its wealth through trade and gold mining. According to reports, Mansa Musa's net worth was estimated at $400 billion in today's dollars, largely due to his control over West Africa's gold mines and vast trading networks. He was known for his extravagant spending, famously making a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324 with a caravan of 60,000 people and 80 camels, each carrying 300 pounds of gold.\r \r 2. King Solomon\r \r King Solomon of Israel is renowned for his wisdom and wealth, ruling in the 10th century BCE. According to the Bible, Solomon inherited a vast fortune from his father, King David, and expanded it through trade and taxation. Solomon's net worth has been estimated at around $2 trillion in today's dollars. This is mostly because of  his control over trade routes between the Mediterranean and Arabia, as well as his vast reserves of gold, silver, and other precious materials.\r \r 3. Emperor Shenzong\r \r Emperor Shenzong of China ruled during the Song Dynasty in the 11th century, overseeing a period of economic and cultural prosperity. He is considered one of the most successful rulers in Chinese history, implementing reforms to improve agriculture, industry, and trade. Shenzong's net worth has been estimated at around $30 billion in today's dollars. He had control over China's vast agricultural and manufacturing sectors. He also had a keen interest in art and culture, commissioning many famous paintings and artworks during his reign.\r \r 4. King Croesus\r \r King Croesus of Lydia ruled in the 6th century BCE, overseeing a prosperous kingdom in what is now Turkey. He is famous for his vast wealth and power, with the phrase "rich as Croesus'' still used today to describe extreme wealth. Croesus's net worth would have been estimated at around $4 billion in today's dollars. He is also known for his patronage of the arts and philosophy, hosting famous thinkers such as Solon and Aesop at his court.\r \r 5. Akbar the Great\r \r Akbar the Great, ruler of the Mughal Empire in India in the 16th century, oversaw a period of cultural and economic growth, as well as religious tolerance. He expanded the empire's borders through military conquest and implemented many social and economic reforms. Today, Akbar's net worth has been estimated at around $21 billion, mostly because of his control over India's vast agricultural and manufacturing sectors, as well as his extensive trade networks. He was one of the few rulers at the time known for his patronage of the arts, architecture, and literature, commissioning many famous works during his reign.