Source link : https://las-vegas-news.com/historys-wealthiest-rulers-who-was-richer-than-elon-musk/
When we think about extreme wealth today, names like Elon Musk naturally come to mind. As of January 2026, Musk’s net worth sits at roughly $682 billion according to Bloomberg Billionaires Index, with Forbes estimating it closer to $779 billion. Yet throughout history, certain rulers controlled such vast empires and resources that their wealth would make modern billionaires look modest by comparison. These monarchs and emperors didn’t just accumulate personal fortunes – they commanded entire economies, controlled global trade routes, and owned lands that stretched across continents. Their wealth was measured not in stocks or companies, but in gold mines, kingdoms, and the very labor of millions of subjects.
Mansa Musa of Mali – The Gold Emperor Who Broke Economies
Mansa Musa I of Mali, who ruled from 1312 to 1337, is widely considered to be the wealthiest person in history. His wealth came principally from the Mali Empire’s control and taxing of the trade in salt from northern regions and especially from gold panned and mined in Bambuk and Bure to the south. The Mali Empire controlled vast gold reserves and strategic trade routes that made it one of the most powerful economic forces in the medieval world. His riches came from mining significant salt and gold deposits in the Mali kingdom, with elephant ivory as another major source of wealth.
Musa went on Hajj to Mecca in…
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Author : Matthias Binder
Publish date : 2026-01-22 20:28:00
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