Ever wondered who the wealthiest individuals in history were? From ancient empires to modern-day moguls, we've compiled a list of the top 10 richest people in history, adjusted for inflation to 2024 values. Here's a look at the crème de la crème of wealth:
- Mansa Musa I of Mali (c. 1280–1337)
- Peak Wealth: $1.902 trillion
- Source of Wealth: Gold and salt trade, empire expansion
- Mansa Musa I, the king of the Mali Empire, is widely considered the richest person in history. His empire controlled the trade of gold, salt, and other valuable commodities, amassing a fortune that would be equivalent to nearly $2 trillion today.
- Augustus Caesar (63 BC–14 AD)
- Peak Wealth: $1.833 trillion
- Source of Wealth: Roman Empire, conquests, and taxation
- As the founder of the Roman Empire, Augustus Caesar controlled vast territories, resources, and wealth. His empire's expansion and taxation policies contributed to his immense wealth, which would be equivalent to over $1.8 trillion today.
- John D. Rockefeller (1839–1937)
- Peak Wealth: $432.4 billion
- Source of Wealth: Standard Oil Company, oil industry
- John D. Rockefeller, the American business magnate, built his fortune through the Standard Oil Company, which dominated the oil industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His wealth would be equivalent to over $432 billion today.
- Andrew Carnegie (1835–1919)
- Peak Wealth: $471.7 billion
- Source of Wealth: Steel industry, philanthropy
- Andrew Carnegie, the Scottish-American industrialist, made his fortune in the steel industry. He sold his company, Carnegie Steel, to J.P. Morgan for $480 million in 1901, which would be equivalent to over $471 billion today.
- Genghis Khan (c. 1162–1227)
- Peak Wealth: $446.8 billion
- Source of Wealth: Mongol Empire, conquests, and plunder
- Genghis Khan, the Mongol emperor, built his empire through conquests and plunder. His vast territories and resources would be equivalent to over $446 billion today.
- Joseph Stalin (1878–1953)
- Peak Wealth: $438.8 billion
- Source of Wealth: Soviet Union, state control, and industrialization
- Joseph Stalin, the Soviet leader, controlled the Soviet Union's vast resources and industries, amassing a fortune that would be equivalent to over $438 billion today.
- Catherine the Great (1729–1796)
- Peak Wealth: $432.4 billion
- Source of Wealth: Russian Empire, state control, and industrialization
- Catherine the Great, the Russian monarch, expanded her empire through conquests and industrialization, amassing a fortune that would be equivalent to over $432 billion today.
- Cornelius Vanderbilt (1794–1877)
- Peak Wealth: $246 billion
- Source of Wealth: Shipping and railroad industries
- Cornelius Vanderbilt, the American businessman, built his fortune through the shipping and railroad industries. His wealth would be equivalent to over $246 billion today.
- Bill Gates (1955–present)
- Peak Wealth: $100.1 billion
- Source of Wealth: Microsoft, software industry
- Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, built his fortune through the software industry. His wealth would be equivalent to over $100 billion today.
- Henry Ford (1863–1947)
- Peak Wealth: $78.9 billion
- Source of Wealth: Ford Motor Company, automotive industry
- Henry Ford, the American industrialist, built his fortune through the Ford Motor Company, revolutionizing the automotive industry. His wealth would be equivalent to over $78 billion today.
Resources:
- "The 10 Richest People of All Time" - Money - https://money.com/the-10-richest-people-of-all-time-2/
- "The Richest People in History" - HistoryExtra - https://www.historyextra.com/period/general-history/richest-person-history/
- "Who Is the Richest Person Ever?" - Investopedia - https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/112415/who-richest-person-ever.asp
- "The World's Billionaires" - Forbes - https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/
Other Information:
- Wolfram|Alpha for inflation adjustments - https://www.wolframalpha.com/
- Forbes for current billionaire rankings - https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/
- Microsoft for Bill Gates' company - https://www.microsoft.com
- Ford Motor Company for Henry Ford's company - https://www.ford.com/