Let’s explore who was most likely to be the wealthiest person to ever live in the history of civilization.
Mansa Musa Net Worth
Based on historical studies and ancient sources, it’s commonly believed that Mansa Musa was the wealthiest person to ever live, with an inflation-adjusted personal net worth of approximately $400 billion overshadowing anyone known to world history. His wealth was primarily in gold and assets, not fiat currency, as we value money today.
I’m excited to share a topic that has captured the imaginations of generations today: the richest person who ever lived. Historians have encountered countless wealthy individuals throughout the ages, but one person stands out. That person is Mansa Musa, the ruler of the Mali Empire in the 14th century.
Was Mansa Musa richer than Elon Musk?
To put this into perspective, let’s compare Mansa Musa’s wealth to some well-known modern billionaires. Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, and Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, have both held the title of the wealthiest person in the world at different times. In July 2021, Jeff Bezos had a peak net worth reaching over $211 billion with Amazon’s peak price. In 2021, Musk’s net worth peaked at around $340 billion, close to but not higher than Mansa Musa’s estimated wealth. Musk’s wealth is primarily valued in his shares of publicly traded Telsa and private SpaceX stock ownership. This comparison demonstrates the extraordinary scale of Mansa Musa’s fortune.
How was Mansa Musa so rich?
To understand the magnitude of Mansa Musa’s wealth, we first need to delve into the circumstances that led to his meteoric rise to prominence. Mali, situated in West Africa, was one of the wealthiest empires of its time, primarily due to its abundant natural resources. Among these resources were gold and salt, precious commodities in the 14th century. As the ruler of Mali, Mansa Musa had direct control over these resources and used them to amass a simply unparalleled fortune.
So, just how rich was Mansa Musa? While it’s challenging to assign an exact figure to his wealth, since economic systems and currency values have evolved over time, many historians estimate Mansa Musa’s fortune would be worth more than $400 billion today. This staggering sum would make him the richest person of his time and the wealthiest individual in history.
Now that we grasp Mansa Musa’s unparalleled wealth let’s explore how he used his riches to shape the world around him. One of the most iconic examples of his spending was his legendary pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324. This journey, known as the Hajj, is a religious duty for devout Muslims, but Mansa Musa took it to an entirely different level.
He was recorded to have been accompanied by a caravan of 60,000 people, including soldiers, court officials, and attendants. Mansa Musa also brought along an estimated 12,000 servants, each carrying 4 pounds of gold. Mansa Musa generously distributed gold to the people he encountered as he traversed the African continent and the Arabian Peninsula. His generosity was so immense that it disrupted the regional economy, leading to inflation in the cities he visited. This legendary journey further solidified Mansa Musa’s reputation as the wealthiest individual in history. This is one of only a few times in recorded history that excess gold in circulation caused inflation in an area. It’s a testament to how much gold he possessed on his travels.
Mansa Musa’s riches were not just limited to gold, though. His rule saw the Mali Empire’s expansion and the development of a thriving culture, economy, and infrastructure. Under his leadership, the empire became a center of learning and scholarship, attracting scholars and artists from across the Islamic world. The city of Timbuktu, in particular, grew into a bustling metropolis and a hub of knowledge, housing the famous Sankore University and numerous libraries filled with thousands of manuscripts.
Mansa Musa’s commitment to education, culture, and religion impacted the Mali Empire and the world. His patronage of the arts and learning helped lay the groundwork for the later emergence of the West African literary tradition. This demonstrates that the legacy of the richest person who ever lived goes far beyond just material wealth.
Of course, it’s essential to remember that while Mansa Musa’s wealth was astonishing, it was accumulated within an empire that relied on the traditional means of conquering other lands and their people, then selling commodities. Historians must always consider the broader context of wealth accumulation in different historical periods. In ancient times wealth was seized through military conquest and exploitation. Modern wealth is accumulated through capitalists creating businesses, products, and services in free markets.
Summary
Mansa Musa’s unparalleled fortune through his control of gold and commodities is commonly believed to make him the richest person who ever lived. His influence on culture, learning, and religion was also preserved for history in ancient writings. His story serves as a fascinating insight into the world of the 14th century and a reminder of the complexities of wealth, power, and historical legacies.
As we look back on Mansa Musa’s incredible wealth, we are reminded of the importance of understanding the context in which wealth is accumulated and its impact on societies. While we marvel at the riches of individuals like Mansa Musa, Jeff Bezos, or Elon Musk, we must also recognize the broader implications of their wealth and consider how it shapes our world today. These are two very different economic systems to consider.
Thank you for joining me in exploring the wealthiest person who ever lived. I’m always fascinated by the stories of extraordinary individuals and their impact on history. Mansa Musa’s story continues to captivate and inspire, reminding us that the past is filled with remarkable people whose legacies live on, shaping our world today.
I hope you enjoyed this journey into the life of Mansa Musa and the extraordinary circumstances that led to his immense wealth. As you continue to explore the history and its many intriguing characters, always take a step back and consider the broader context of the world economy that they lived in. Also, consider what has been considered “money” in different civilizations.[1]
