Business

Top 10 richest people ever led by 14th century African king

The family has dominated business dealings in Europe for centuries, effectively spawning a private dynasty that has branched into nobility in several countries. Their value here is a conservative estimate -- some believe their real estate and banking assets total more than $1 trillion. More recently, however, the sterling name seems to have been diluted. The family expanded. Deals such as the one recently championed by financier Nathaniel Rothschild to create an Indonesian coal giant have collapsed. Still, with current holdings in the banking sector, agriculture and more, the family's influence continues to be fearsome. Here, the late Baron Elie Robert de Rothschild holds a 1799 bottle of Chateau Lafite in 1979.

The family has dominated business dealings in Europe for centuries, effectively spawning a private dynasty that has branched into nobility in several countries. Their value here is a conservative estimate -- some believe their real estate and banking assets total more than $1 trillion. More recently, however, the sterling name seems to have been diluted. The family expanded. Deals such as the one recently championed by financier Nathaniel Rothschild to create an Indonesian coal giant have collapsed. Still, with current holdings in the banking sector, agriculture and more, the family’s influence continues to be fearsome. Here, the late Baron Elie Robert de Rothschild holds a 1799 bottle of Chateau Lafite in 1979.  (Remy de la Mauviniere / Associated Press)

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Bill Gates is up there. So are William the Conquerer, a czar, assorted nobility and a smattering of Rockefellers, Carnegies and Vanderbilts.

But even at the peak of their considerable wealth, none surpassed the riches of the most moneyed man ever: Mansa Musa I, a West African king who died in 1337.

That’s according to a list of the 25 most well-off men – yep, it’s an all-boys club – to have ever walked the planet, according to Celebritynetworth.com.

The site took the high-point estimate of each man’s net worth and adjusted the fortunes for inflation. In total, the group held more than $4.3 trillion.

Fourteen of the 25 were Americans – with Microsoft founder Bill Gates as the richest living member. Carlos Slim Helu, currently the richest person worldwide, came in 22nd.

Billionaire investor and Berkshire Hathaway chief Warren Buffett rounded out the list with $64 billion, closely following Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton’s $65 billion.

5 Nikolai Alexandrovich Romanov - $300 billion

Better known as Czar Nicholas II of Russia, the emperor was overthrown in 1917 and assassinated along with his family by Bolshevik revolutionaries. During his stormy reign, the ruler was often criticized for his court’s opulent ways, which involved extravagant Faberge eggs, glittering imperial galas and more. Canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church, Romanov is considered the richest saint in history.  (Elaine Thompson / Associated Press)

8. Moammar Kadafi - $200 billion

The extent of the Libyan colonel’s vast wealth came to light in a stunning fashion after he was killed in an uprising over his rule last year. Senior Libyan officials said Kadafi had stashed away more than $200 billion in bank accounts, real estate and corporate investments globally -- double what Western governments had suspected. Kadafi, who once dubbed himself the “King of Kings,” is thought to have built up billions of dollars in gold reserves. His lavish lifestyle is said to at one point have included designer clothing, sumptuous villas, fleets of fancy vehicles and more.  (Marwan Naamani / Agence France-Presse)

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