Most of the wealthiest royals in history could not help flaunting their extraordinary trove of riches. There is no denying that several monarchs today are affluent and live in opulence. For example, King Charles III is believed to preside over a $2 billion estate.
However, the riches of the British monarch pale in comparison to those of historical royalty. To keep this list’s estimation fair and reliable, the riches of the wealthiest royals in history have been adjusted for inflation. The estimates are also outlined in US dollars.
So, let’s get right to it.
8. King Solomon of Israel
Biblical records describe King Solomon as one of the wisest men who lived. He was also known for his wealth. During his reign, he owned multiple gold mines and amassed vast amounts of the precious metal.
Celebrity Net Worth said King Solomon’s wealth peaked at $3 trillion in 2017. Some claim that he received approximately 25 tonnes of gold in each year of his reign—that’s almost 1000 tonnes! However, some scholars claim that the estimate is fictitious.
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7. Caesar Augustus
Also known as Octavian, Caesar Augustus was the first emperor to rule over the Roman domain after their worldwide campaign. So, his reign was peaceful and prosperous, too, as he was the ruler of the then-known world.
Caesar Augustus inherited a large fortune from his uncle, Julius Caesar. Augustus became Julius’s adopted son to continue the family’s continuity among the Roman dynasties. Reports suggest that Caesar Augustus is worth $4.9 trillion today.
6. Julius Caesar
Valuing Julius Caesar’s wealth based on today’s money would yield about $5.4 trillion. A fiery warrior and army commander, Julius Caesar marauded through Gaul territories and claimed unresisted conquest. Unfortunately, he was assassinated in 44 BC.
After the death of Julius Caesar, most of his riches and treasures were passed on to his adopted nephew, Augustus Caesar. The balance was used to pay all the male Roman citizens at the time (about 1.1 million of them) an equivalent of a 10-year wage.
5. Amenhotep III
Amenhotep III was the Pharaoh of ancient Egypt between 1390 BC and 1352 BC. This period marked the apex of the Egyptian dynasties, as they enjoyed economic and military power. However, most of Amenhotep III’s wealth was generational wealth from his father, Thutmose IV. Amenhotep is estimated to be worth $7.3 trillion.
Amenhotep made it a point to turn over the wealth trove left to him, thereby increasing it. However, he had a weakness for luxury and lavish buildings. Amenhotep commissioned the construction of the Colossi of Menon and the Temple at Luxor.
4. Empress Wu
In ancient China, the supreme ruler practically owned the entire country. Thus, everything belonging to the country during Empress Wu’s prosperous reign can be attributed to her wealth.
Wu is reputed to be the wealthiest woman of all time, possessing a wealth trove that amounts to about $25 trillion today. This famous empress reigned between 624 and 705 AD, and China’s GDP was 22.7% of the global total at the time. The Silk Road trade really boosted the Chinese economy and Wu’s wealth.
3. Akbar I
Akbar the Great was the third Mughal emperor and was acclaimed to be the greatest of them all. He was responsible for expanding the Mughal territories to the Indian subcontinent, all through conquest.
At the peak of his reign, Akbar I controlled wealth that was 25% of the global GDP at the time. Estimating with inflationary adjustments, Akbar I’s wealth would amount to $27.5 trillion today. Akbar I’s reign lasted between 1556 and 1605.
2. Emperor Shenzong of Song
Emperor Shenzong of Song ruled China for just 18 years (1067 – 1085). However, he achieved great feats during that period. For example, he expanded Chinese territory through war and plundered gold and similar treasures from the conquered.
Similarly, Emperor Shenzong’s policies resulted in prosperity in China. Consequently, this emperor controlled 30% of the world’s GDP, which amounts to $32 trillion today.
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1. Genghis Khan
By a long shot, Genghis Khan tops the list of the richest-ever historical figures and people of nobility. Genghis Khan came to rule the Mongol Empire in 1206 as the first Great Khan. The volume of wealth in the control of these great royals was unfathomable.
Leading a marauding people resulted in the conquest of territories, taking ownership of land swats, and looting their treasures. Going by the value of the land and all the treasures that came under Genghis Khan’s control, it would not come as a surprise that he was worth about $100 trillion in his lifetime.
The list would be inexhaustible if we were to consider all the royals and monarchs who were worth over $10 billion and lived in luxury. There is still Catherine the Great of Russia and Mansa Musa I of Mali. However, as far as the eight wealthiest royals in history are concerned, this list did them justice.