These are the richest people in the human history (2024)

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These are the richest people in the human history? ›

Mansa Musa, the king of Timbuktu, is often referred to as the wealthiest person in history. According to Ferrum College history professor Richard Smith, Musa's west African kingdom was likely the largest producer of gold in the world—at a time which gold was in especially high demand.

The richest person ever is thought to have been an emperor with an accumulation of wealth often described as “unimaginable” or “incalculable.” The title goes to 14th-century African emperor Mansa Musa, and his wealth has been estimated to be the modern day equivalent of $400 billion.

Mansa Musa, who was born in 1280 AD, ruled the large Mali kingdom in West Africa for a while. In 1312 AD, Mansa Musa was crowned king, and it is estimated that his fortune was almost $400 billion USD, adjusted for inflation which is still double than that of Musk and Bezos.

However, many believe Mansa Musa's wealth outdoes that of all modern billionaires. Mansa Musa ruled over the Mali empire in the 14th Century, and his incredible access to gold made him arguably the richest human to have ever lived. So, why is it that he has largely disappeared from the western historical imagination?

The American oil magnate John D. Rockefeller became the world's first confirmed U.S. dollar billionaire in 1916. As of 2018, there are over 2,200 U.S. dollar billionaires worldwide, with a combined wealth of over US$9.1 trillion, up from US$7.67 trillion in 2017.

As of today, no billionaire is within striking distance of becoming a trillionaire. Elon Musk is, at present, the world's richest person, with a net worth of $206 billion, while Jeff Bezos is in the number two position with $179 billion, according to Bloomberg.

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Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, 70, has been deemed the richest woman in the entire world with a net work of $99.5 billion in 2024, according to Forbes. She owes it to the widely known cosmetic care company called L'Oreal, which was founded by her grandfather.

With an estimated wealth of $305 billion, the Royal family of Abu Dhabi- Al Nahyan family— is known as the richest family in the world. The head of the Al Nahyan family, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is the ruler and President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Is Mansa Musa richer than Elon? ›

And how much was his net worth back then? Think about the wealth Elon Musk owns now, then add a couple hundred billion, and you will get close to Mansa Musa's fortune in the 14th century. Economists estimate that the West African emperor possessed riches equal to almost 400 billion US dollars.

No individual has claimed the status of trillionaire just yet. But a net worth equal to at least one trillion in U.S. dollars or a similarly valued currency isn't unattainable, but it will be a couple of years yet. Only 18 countries have a GDP that exceeds that amount.

Elon Musk: $226.6 billion

In addition to being at the helm of Tesla, Musk is CEO of rocket ship company SpaceX. In 2022, he also purchased Twitter, which is now called X, for $44 billion.

Mansa Musa is renowned for his wealth and generosity. Online articles in the 21st century have claimed that Mansa Musa was the richest person of all time. Historians such as Hadrien Collet have argued that Musa's wealth is impossible to accurately calculate.

Their wealth fluctuated over time, but Carnegie was the richest for a time as he was the worlds' first billionaire after selling his industry to Morgan, making him the richest man of the 19th century and going into the 20th. Rockefeller was by far the wealthiest of the three.

Mansa Musa inherited a kingdom that was already wealthy, but his work in expanding trade made Mali the wealthiest kingdom in Africa. His riches came from mining significant salt and gold deposits in the Mali kingdom. Elephant ivory was another major source of wealth.

Mansa Musa Net Worth = $400 Billion

He also adhered to The Covenant of Seed time and Harvest Time.