Diksia.com - Elon Musk continues to maintain his position as the wealthiest person in the world. According to the latest Forbes Real Time Billionaires report, the founder of Tesla and SpaceX is estimated to possess a staggering fortune amounting to US$ 221.2 billion or approximately IDR 3,384.36 trillion (calculated at an exchange rate of IDR 15,300 per US dollar).
Yet, amidst a wealth that seems poised to endure for generations, can he truly be crowned the wealthiest individual in history? The answer is not as definitive as one might think.
Remarkably, there existed an individual who outshone even Elon Musk in terms of riches. These are the individuals who have been etched into the annals of history as the wealthiest ever.
As reported by SCMP on a recent Friday (August 18, 2023), herein lies the roster of the ten wealthiest individuals in history:
1. Mansa Musa
Mansa Musa reigned over the Mali Empire, a realm overflowing with lands, salt, and gold. Historians surmise that the Mali Empire was once the world’s foremost gold producer.
This implied that the royal ruler, Mansa Musa, held unimaginable riches. In fact, historians were so confounded by the vastness of his wealth that quantifying it proved an insurmountable task.
Notably, according to a report by the BBC, Mansa embarked on the most opulent pilgrimage to Mecca in history, accompanied by around 60,000 individuals spanning from royal officials to camel drivers and slaves.
Furthermore, he lavishly spent copious amounts of gold during a three-month stay in Cairo, thereby destabilizing the local economy.
The repercussions of his gold expenditures were felt in the region for a decade hence, affecting gold prices for years.
2. Genghis Khan
Genghis Khan remains a colossal figure, having carved an indomitable empire. The Mongol Empire, under his reign, sprawled over vast swaths of China and Central Asia, extending its dominion as far as Poland and Vietnam.
So immense was his dominion that it’s estimated Genghis Khan’s wealth might equate to a staggering US$ 120 trillion or around IDR 1.83 quadrillion.
3. Emperor Shenzong
As the sixth ruler of the Song Dynasty in China, Emperor Shenzong occupies the third position on the list of history’s wealthiest individuals. His wealth approximated a staggering US$ 30 trillion or about IDR 459 quadrillion.
Shenzong’s reign saw China flourish economically, with his dynasty’s finances accounting for 25-30% of the global GDP at the time.
Notably, historians contend that the governance under his rule surpassed European governments in tax collection and technological innovation, while a centralized form of administration further augmented their wealth.
Akbar I
Abu’l-Fath Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar, also known as Akbar I, was the third emperor of the Mughal Empire in India.
This Indian sovereign’s rule purportedly constituted a quarter of the global GDP of his era. Historians therefore estimate Akbar’s wealth to be an impressive US$ 21 trillion or around IDR 321.3 quadrillion.
Empress Wu
Empress Wu stands as the first and sole female emperor to rule China. Her reign coincided with a time when the kingdom’s economy contributed approximately 23% to the global GDP.
This singular position has rendered her the wealthiest woman in history, with her wealth estimated at a staggering US$ 16 trillion or roughly IDR 244.8 quadrillion by today’s standards.
