Top 10 RICHEST People In History

Top 10 Richest People in History

Short Summary:

This video explores the top 10 richest individuals in history, comparing their wealth to modern billionaires like Jeff Bezos. The video discusses how these individuals amassed their fortunes, ranging from conquering empires to controlling vast industries. It also highlights how they used their wealth, from lavish spending to significant philanthropy. The video emphasizes the difficulty of accurately calculating wealth across different eras and uses expert opinions to compile the list.

Detailed Summary:

Section 1: Introduction

The video starts by acknowledging Jeff Bezos as the current richest person alive but introduces the concept of historical figures who might have been even wealthier.
It highlights the challenge of comparing wealth across different eras, especially when considering individuals who owned kingdoms or lived centuries ago.
The video states that the list is compiled based on expert opinions and provides a clear ranking of the top 10 richest people in history.

Section 2: William the Conqueror (230 billion USD)

William the Conqueror, born in 1028, became the first Norman King of England.
His wealth was amassed through conquering England in 1066, a conquest that resulted in the loss of 100,000 lives.
He used his wealth to ban slavery, enforce the use of the French language in England, and build over 500 castles.
His extravagant lifestyle included fine clothes and elaborate meals, leading to his body being stripped of valuables upon his death.

Section 3: Osman Ali Khan (236 billion USD)

Osman Ali Khan, the last ruler of Hyderabad in India, was featured on the cover of Time magazine as the world's richest person in 1937.
His wealth included the Jacob diamond, used as a paperweight, and a vast collection of jewels known as the Jewels of Nizams, estimated to be worth 2 billion USD.
Despite his immense wealth, he was known for his simple lifestyle, wearing the same hat for years, eating on a tin plate, and even knitting his own socks.
He used his wealth to introduce electricity, airplanes, and railways to Hyderabad and donated significantly to educational and religious institutions.

Section 4: Nikolay Romanov (300 billion USD)

Nikolay Romanov, the last Tsar of Russia, is estimated to have had a fortune of 300 billion USD.
He is often viewed as a weak and incompetent leader, spending extravagantly on personal luxuries and lavish events.
His annual spending on clothes and miscellaneous items often exceeded his allocated budget by a significant margin.
He spent lavishly on his coronation, celebrating the 300th anniversary of the dynasty with expensive medals, stamps, and gifts.
His extravagant lifestyle included lavish hunting trips with a 50-person crew and a dedicated kitchen staff of 55.

Section 5: Andrew Carnegie (309 billion USD)

Andrew Carnegie, a steel magnate, went from working in a factory to amassing a fortune of 309 billion USD.
He started his career as a telegraph messenger and later invested heavily in the railroad industry.
He founded the Carnegie Steel Company, which he sold for 13 billion USD.
He believed in the wealthy's social responsibility, donating billions to charities and leaving only a small portion of his wealth to his family.

Section 6: Jakob Fugger (400 billion USD)

Jakob Fugger, known as "Jacob the Rich," amassed a fortune of 400 billion USD in the 1400s.
He inherited his family's textile trading business and expanded into mining operations.
He loaned money to the Vatican, contributing to the construction of the Sistine Chapel.
He was known for his lavish spending, including buying his wife 40,000 guilders worth of jewelry and building a luxurious four-story home.
He founded Fuggerhaus, the first low-income housing program in the world, providing affordable housing to families in need.

Section 7: John D. Rockefeller (400 billion USD)

John D. Rockefeller, an oil tycoon, amassed a fortune of 400 billion USD.
He founded Standard Oil Company, which controlled 90% of the oil in the United States at its peak.
His personal wealth was so vast that it represented 2% of the national economy.
He lived a luxurious lifestyle, owning multiple homes, including the 40-room mansion "The Wheat," set on a sprawling estate with numerous amenities.
He was known for his philanthropy, donating 10% of his income annually to charity.

Section 8: Akbar I (500 billion USD)

Akbar I, the Mughal emperor in the 1500s, controlled a vast empire and amassed a fortune of 500 billion USD.
He conquered significant territory, tripling the size of his empire during his reign.
He was known for his religious tolerance, promoting unity between Muslims and Hindus.
His wealth was used to build palaces, mosques, and universities across his empire.

Section 9: Augustus Caesar (4.3 trillion USD)

Augustus Caesar, the Roman emperor, is the only confirmed trillionaire in history, owning a fifth of the Roman Empire's wealth.
He inherited a significant portion of Julius Caesar's wealth and amassed further wealth through his reign.
He used his wealth to expand the Roman Empire, establish a standing army, and develop infrastructure like roads and courier systems.
He lived in the "House of Augustus," a luxurious palace with elaborate decorations.

Section 10: Shi Zong of Song (immeasurable wealth)

Shi Zong of Song, the emperor of the Song Dynasty in China, controlled a vast fortune during a prosperous era.
He oversaw a period of economic growth and innovation, including the invention of gunpowder, printing, and magnetic compasses.
The Song Dynasty was the world's largest producer of bronzeware and rice, making it a commercial superpower.
Shi Zong controlled 30% of the global GDP and used his wealth to implement social welfare programs for the unemployed, homeless, and peasants.

Section 11: Mansa Musa (immeasurable wealth)

Mansa Musa, the ruler of the Mali Empire in the 1300s, is considered the wealthiest person in history, with an immeasurable fortune.
The Mali Empire was the world's largest producer of gold and salt, contributing to Mansa Musa's immense wealth.
He conquered 24 cities and districts, expanding his empire significantly.
His pilgrimage to Mecca was a spectacle, with thousands of soldiers, slaves, and heralds accompanying him, carrying hundreds of pounds of gold.
He spent lavishly during his travels, giving away gold as gifts and funding the construction of mosques.
He established Sankore Madrasa, a leading university that housed a million manuscripts.

Conclusion:

The video concludes by emphasizing the vast wealth of Mansa Musa and the difficulty of accurately quantifying his fortune.
It suggests that Jeff Bezos may eventually surpass Mansa Musa's wealth but acknowledges the historical context and challenges in comparing wealth across different eras.

Notable Quotes:

"The man who dies rich dies disgraced." - Andrew Carnegie
"I found Rome of clay, I leave it to you of marble." - Augustus Caesar