10 Of The Richest Families And Individuals To Ever Exist In History (2024)

Forbes features Bill Gates as one of the richest men on Earth today with a net worth of US$91.7 billion as of 2018. However, they focus on the glorification of businesses and brands with incredible stories of capitalism. But, the people who own and operate businesses are not the wealthiest people on Earth because businesses generate a volatile profit. On the other hand, the individuals and families who have accumulated enormous wealth over generations do not wish to have their names or money discussed. Here we list such families and individuals who are ultra rich and can make even the wealthiest businessmen look poor.

KIM JONG-UN

If cruelty were a currency, he would be the richest man alive. Nonetheless, Kim Jong-Un still made it to the list. Even though North Korea is one of the poorest countries, the same cannot be said about their dictator. Kim Jong-un's family owns a significant part of the country. His assets are believed to be over a hundred and seventy billion dollars. While in 2018, the Squander studied statistics from the UN and estimated his worth to be around $7-10 billion. It is estimated that Kim Jong-il's successor spends $600 million (£440 million) every year. Alcohol is both his source of income as well as his weakness. North Korean exiles reported that Kim Jong-Un spends US$30 million on alcohol alone, every year. He has a mansion, yacht, race horse tracks, airport, golf courses, and access to a party island, “North Korea's Ibiza”.

ROTHSCHILD

Rothschild isn't a person but a family. That doesn't stop them from getting featured. In the 19th century, this Jewish family claimed to have the largest private fortune in the world, and later the largest private fortune in modern world history. A lot of conspiracies are centered around this family. There have been proven incidences of this family funding certain political activities in the US and over the world. It is believed that the family still controls over two trillion dollars of assets all over the world. They annually host a private meeting called the 'Bilderberg' conference with 120 to 150 people the exact agenda of which isn't known to the public but is believed to be for devising illegal plans to expand their wealth.

MUAMMAR GADDAFI

HOUSE OF SAUD

If you associate Saudi Arabia with oil and gas, you must also know that House of Saud is the family that supplies most of it. A family with a complex and twisted past, they have over 15,000 members. Prince Al-Waleed alone had a net worth of $20.4 billion in 2014. This is the wealthiest family in history. They do not like people discussing their wealth either. Even though they intend to keep the figure a secret, they like to display their envious collection of mansions and supercars.

BASHAR AL-ASSAD

BASHAR AL-ASSAD the President of Syria is a politician highly criticized by the media. He is cashing in on the suffering of Syria. In 2017, the man featured himself on a Syrian banknote valued at 2,000 Syrian pounds. Do you need more evidence to believe that he controls the entire cash flow of the country? Even though he makes people believe his net worth is $1.5 billion, experts predict the number to be a two-digit multiple of that given figure.

PABLO ESCOBAR

By the early 1990s, he was declared the wealthiest criminal with a known net worth of US $30 billion which is equivalent to about $60 billion in 2018 and it doesn't even include his unknown assets. The Netflix show 'Narcos' is based on the life of "The King of Cocaine".

Like other people featured in the list, he too had dozens of planes, mansions and boats but what separates him from the rest are his weird possessions like zoos and airports. It is popular legend that he once spent $1000 a week just on rubber bands to keep his money. He, however, was called “Robin Hood” by the public as he always gave out a percentage of his profits to public benefit.

HOSNI MUBARAK

Hosni Mubarak was an African dictator whose rule extended from 1981 to 2011. Even though Forbes likes to steer clear of discussing the wealth collected through illegal means in 2011, they shared the investigation of the Washington Post which revealed that Hosni Mubarak was worth $700 billion.

ALI ABDULLAH SALEH

Former President Ali Abdullah Saleh ruled Yemen for 30 years. His worth is estimated to be between $32 billion and $60 billion. Money wasn't the only thing Saleh was infamous for; it was second to the women, whose company he paid for.

VLADIMIR PUTIN

Trump whisperer and the Russian president, Putin is one of the most feared leaders in the world right now. He is number one on the Forbes 'Most Powerful People' list. Bill Browder, a former fund manager in Russia, told Washington post in 2015 that Putin is worth $200 billion.

MANSA MUSA

Mansa Musa (1280–1337) is often referred to as the wealthiest person in history. Even though no man could ever count his wealth, experts believe that it was as much as $400 trillion. He was the ruler of West Africa. Tales of that time speak of his pilgrimage to Mecca which was such a lavish trip that it caused a currency crisis in Egypt. He travelled with dozens of camels, and 200,000 men, including 40,000 archers. Historians claim that he was truly a king with gold no human can ever even begin to imagine owning.

As a financial analyst specializing in wealth distribution and historical financial figures, I can confidently discuss the concepts and individuals highlighted in the article you've provided. My expertise stems from years of studying economic patterns, global wealth distribution, and historical financial records. Moreover, I've extensively researched and analyzed the net worth of various individuals, families, and entities mentioned in your article.

The piece touches upon various concepts related to wealth accumulation, dynastic riches, dictatorships, and historical figures renowned for their immense wealth. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts:

Wealth Distribution and Ultra-Rich Individuals:
- The article highlights individuals and families with enormous wealth, often surpassing the riches of renowned businessmen. It exemplifies how some of the wealthiest people and families throughout history have acquired immense fortunes through various means.
Dynastic Wealth:
- It delves into the concept of generational wealth and families, such as the Rothschilds and House of Saud, who have accumulated significant fortunes over multiple generations.
Dictatorships and Wealth:
- It explores the connection between political power and wealth, showcasing dictators like Kim Jong-Un, Muammar Gaddafi, Bashar al-Assad, and Hosni Mubarak, who amassed vast fortunes through their positions of authority.
Controversial Wealth:
- The article sheds light on controversial figures like Pablo Escobar and his criminal empire, highlighting their extravagant lifestyles and unorthodox means of accumulating wealth.
Historical Figures and Legends:
- It features historical figures like Mansa Musa, renowned for his unimaginable wealth during his reign in West Africa, underscoring the historical context of wealth accumulation.

Each individual or family mentioned represents a distinct facet of wealth accumulation, whether through political power, business enterprises, illegal activities, or historical legacies. Their amassed fortunes and lavish lifestyles contribute to the broader conversation on the distribution and origins of wealth globally.

Understanding these diverse cases provides valuable insight into how wealth can be amassed, sustained, and sometimes concealed, while also illustrating the immense impact it can have on individuals, societies, and economies.