Every year, Forbes comes out with a list of the richest 500 people worldwide. How do they compare to the richest people of all time? Bill Gates was always at the top until Amazon’s founder, Jeff Bezos, became the first to cross $100 billion in early 2018. In 2018, Forbes listed Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, as the richest person globally after his net worth exceeded $200 billion following a sudden rise in Tesla’s stock. Merely two months later, his wealth reached an astronomical $300 billion, making him the only person to hit this incredible amount.
Since then, his net worth has fluctuated, and as of October 2024, Musk’s net worth was $274.7 billion. To visualize the extraordinary amount, consider that if Musk spent $1 million daily without earning any interest or capital appreciation, it would take him 753 years to use up all his money!
Are today’s billionaires richer than historical figures?
When this list was first compiled in 2015, to make it to the list of the 30 wealthiest individuals in history, one needed to possess at least $64.5 billion, and only 3 on the list were alive. There have been significant changes in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, largely due to the stock market’s major growth. Now, to make it to the list, one needs to have at least $123.5 billion, and surprisingly, 13, nearly half, of the 30 are currently living.
In 2015’s list, the 30 richest people had a combined net worth of about $5 trillion. In 2024, this combined wealth has risen to $6.6 trillion, a growth of nearly a third! Even with the growing number of billionaires worldwide, however, compared to past figures, today’s wealthiest don’t seem so rich. So who are the richest people of all time?
How was this list compiled?
Various lists exist online; many quote the same list created 15 years ago without accounting for inflation, and there are usually vast differences. While compiling this research, I focused on reliable sources such as books like All the Money in the World and The Richest of the Rich: The Wealthiest 250 People in Britain since 1066 and other credible publications. To assemble this list, each person’s peak wealth was calculated (in billions), compared to the U.S. GDP at that time, and then adjusted for 2024 dollars.
I separated the list by differentiating between entrepreneurial wealth that was accumulated personally, and wealth gathered mostly from influential positions. It is often unclear what belongs to the country and what belongs to the individual. I did, however, include Mansa Munsa, who controlled half the world’s gold during his rule.
Have fun perusing this list of historically wealthy figures, but remember, it’s primarily for enjoyment. No list can be definitive or completely accurate and depending on who you ask, the richest people in history could be different! Historical records from ancient times are often limited, exaggerated, or based on folklore and traditional stories. In addition, wealth in earlier times was connected to property or entire kingdoms, making any evaluation very subjective. It is also difficult to convert wealth in terms of currency or purchasing power, as the value of money has changed over time.
The 30 Richest People of All Time!
Below are the 30 richest people of all time at their peak wealth, adjusted for inflation and appreciation of their assets for 2024. The list, including the “Honorable Mentions,” shows rulers, monarchs, and emperors of countries that drew their wealth from the country they ruled. I have also created a separate section for families. Enjoy!
30. Friedrich Weyerhauser (1834-1914) – $112.9 Billion
- Nationality: German-American
- Profession: Timber Magnate
Friedrich Weyerhauser became a pioneering figure in the American lumber industry after emigrating to the United States. He founded the Weyerhaeuser Company, which grew into one of the largest timber companies in the world.
His expansive acquisition of timberlands and strategic business practices marked him as a significant leader in industrialism during the Gilded Age.
Source: All The Money In The World by Peter W. Bernstein and Annalyn Swan
29. Jensen Huang (1963 – Present) – $123.5 Billion
- Nationality: Taiwanese-American
- Profession: Entrepreneur and Computer Scientist
Jensen Huang is the co-founder and CEO of NVIDIA Corporation. Huang has led NVIDIA in revolutionizing graphics processing technology, significantly impacting gaming, professional visualization, and artificial intelligence industries.
Source: Forbes Real-Time Billionaires
28. Steve Ballmer (1956 – Present) – $125.8 Billion
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Businessman and Investor
Steve Ballmer is an American businessman and investor who gained prominence as the CEO of Microsoft from 2000 to 2014. After stepping down from Microsoft, Ballmer purchased the Los Angeles Clippers.
Source: All The Money In The World by Peter W. Bernstein and Annalyn Swan
27. A.T. Stewart (1803-1876) – $126.4 Billion
- Nationality: Irish-American
- Profession: Entrepreneur, Merchant
Alexander Turney Steward was an Irish immigrant who created a profitable and extensive dry goods business. He established one of the first department stores in New York City, innovating the shopping experience with fixed prices and a wide array of goods.
Stewart’s pioneering business model set a precedent for modern retailing, marking him an influential merchant and entrepreneur who significantly impacted the American retail landscape during the 19th century.
Source: All The Money In The World by Peter W. Bernstein and Annalyn Swan
26. Richard B. Mellon (1858-1933) – $128.7 Billion
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Banker, Industrialist
Mellon was a prominent American banker and industrialist during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As a key figure in the Mellon family, he played a significant role in developing several industries, including coal, steel, and finance.
Mellon’s strategic investments and leadership in the Mellon National Bank contributed to his family’s status as one of America’s wealthiest and most influential dynasties.
Source: All The Money In The World by Peter W. Bernstein and Annalyn Swan
25. Amancio Ortega (1936 – Present) – $131.3 Billion
- Nationality: Spanish
- Profession: Businessman
Founder of Inditex fashion group Ortega pioneered fast fashion through his brand Zara, becoming Spain’s richest individual.
Source: Forbes Real-Time Billionaires
24. Sergey Brin (1973 – Present) – $131.7 Billion
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Computer Scientist and Entrepreneur
Co-founder of Google, Brin revolutionized online search with co-innovator Page, advancing the power and reach of the internet.
Source: Forbes Real-Time Billionaires
23. Larry Page (1973 – Present) – $137.6 Billion
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Computer Scientist and Entrepreneur
Co-founder of Google, Page transformed information accessibility worldwide with innovations in searching and advertising.
Source: Forbes Real-Time Billionaires
22. John of Gaunt (1340-1399) – $141.6 Billion
- Nationality: English
- Profession: Nobleman and Military Leader
John was the fourth son of King Edward III and was King Richard II’s regent. Gaunt was a key figure in the Hundred Years’ War and expanded his wealth through inheritance and marriage, influencing English politics and royal lineage.
He owned castles and estates across England and France. As Earl of Lancaster, he was the greatest landowner in the north of England.
21. Warren Buffett (1930 to Present) – $143.3 Billion
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Investor
Known as the “Oracle of Omaha,” he is the most successful value investor of the 20th century. He is the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, a multinational conglomerate holding company famous for its value investing approach and philanthropy. He has joined Bill Gates’ philanthropy pledges to give away 99% of his wealth.
Source: Forbes Real-Time Billionaires
20. Stephen Girard (1750-1831) – $149.5 Billion
- Nationality: French-American
- Profession: Banker and philanthropist
Born in France, Girard made his wealth in the U.S. through shipping and banking. He saved the U.S. government from collapse during the War of 1812. He bought out the first Bank of the United States and renamed it the Bank of Stephen Girard.
Source: All The Money In The World by Peter W. Bernstein and Annalyn Swan
19. Richard Fitzalan 10th Earl of Arundel (1306-1376) – $151.4 Billion
- Nationality: English
- Profession: Nobleman and Military Leader
The 10th Earl of Arundel was an English nobleman and military leader. He fought in the Scottish Independence and the Hundred Years’ War. Fitzalan was influential in politics and military affairs, amassing wealth through land holdings and strategic marriages.
The Earl of Arundel is the oldest extant earldom and the oldest extant peerage in the Peerage of England.
18. John Jacob Astor (1763-1848) – $172.2 Billion
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Businessman and Investor
A German-American businessman, he became the first multi-millionaire in America as a merchant and investor. He used his money from trading furs from Canada to wealthy women in New York City to purchase vast amounts of real estate, contributing to the cityscape of New York. He was the first to create a trust in the U.S.
Source: All The Money In The World by Peter W. Bernstein and Annalyn Swan
17. Bernard Arnault (1949 – Present) – $172.8 Billion
- Nationality: French
- Profession: Business Magnate
Chairman and CEO of LVMH, Arnault leads the world’s largest luxury goods company, guiding growth in the fashion and retail industries.
Source: Forbes Real-Time Billionaires
16. William de Warenne (1036-1088) – $187.8 Billion
- Nationality: Norman
- Profession: Nobleman and Military Leader
Known as the first Earl of Surrey, he was a Norman baron that fought alongside William the Conqueror at The Battle of Hastings in England. He was rewarded with numerous holdings and land grants, becoming one of the wealthiest landowners following the Norman Conquest.
15. Bill Gates (1955 to Present) – $191.2 Billion
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Business magnate and philanthropist
While the founder of Microsoft’s current net worth is $105.1 billion, his peak net worth was $101 billion in 1999 during the dotcom era. His wealth reached a zenith in 1999 during the dotcom boom with a net worth of $101 billion. When adjusted for inflation to 2024, this peak would be equivalent to $191.2 billion, positioning him as 15th on our list.
Gates has given close to $60 billion dollars away, substantially reducing his ranking among the wealthiest individuals. He has shifted focus to philanthropy through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He is committed to giving 99% of his wealth to charity.
Source: Forbes Real-Time Billionaires
14. Mark Zuckerburg (1984 – Present) – $198.3 Billion
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Entrepreneur and Business Magnate
Co-founder and CEO of Meta Platforms, Zuckerberg pioneered social networking globally, impacting how millions interact online. He continues to lead initiatives in technology innovation and philanthropy through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
Source: Forbes Real-Time Billionaires
13. Henry Ford (1863-1947) – $200 Billion
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Businessman and industrialist
He founded Ford Motor Company in 1903 and created the first affordable automobile for the middle class. As the creator of the modern assembly line, Ford revolutionized the automobile industry.
Ford’s wealth and success also allowed him to invest in numerous other ventures, including the development of Greenfield Village and the establishment of the Ford Foundation for philanthropic purposes, controlled by his family.
Source: All The Money In The World by Peter W. Bernstein and Annalyn Swan
12. Jeff Bezos (1964 – Present) – $205.8 Billion
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Entrepreneur and Business Magnate
Founder of Amazon, Bezos revolutionized online shopping and has become one of the most successful business figures in the modern era, leading initiatives in e-commerce and cloud computing. Additionally, Bezos is also known for his space exploration company, Blue Origin, and his philanthropic efforts through the Bezos Earth Fund.
Source: Forbes Real-Time Billionaires
11. Marcus Licinius Crassus (115 BC-53 BC) – $209.4 billion
- Nationality: Roman
- Profession: Military General and Politician
Crassus was a Roman politician and general who, along with Julius Caesar and Pompeius Magnus, comprised the First Triumvirate. He gained his wealth through real estate (purchasing burning property and seizing property from criminals), slaves, and minerals. He is also known for crushing the slave uprising of Spartacus.
It is believed that Crassus’ net worth equaled the total annual budget of the Roman treasury. Some consider him to be the richest in history, but recent research shows the Roman currency may not be worth as thought. This puts him at number 11 on our list.
Source: Visual Capitalist
10. Larry Ellison (1944 – Present) – $211.7 Billion
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Entrepreneur and Business Magnate
Co-founder of Oracle Corporation, Ellison became a prominent figure in enterprise software development and amassed significant wealth through his role in the tech industry. Ellison has consistently been one of the highest-paid executives in the past two decades.
Source: Forbes Real-Time Billionaires
9. Alan Rufus, 1st Lord of Richmond (1040-1089) – $244.7 Billion
- Nationality: Norman
- Profession: Nobleman and Military Leader
Known as “Alan the Red,” he was the nephew of William the Conqueror. Like William de Warenne, he fought alongside William at the Battle of Hastings. For his service and loyalty and quelling Saxon uprisings in the northern territories, he was rewarded with vast tracts of land totaling 250,000 acres across England.
Upon his death at the age of 53, Rufus’ fortune was 11,000 pounds, which is estimated to be 7% percent of the net national income of that era. Adjusted to 2024 dollars his wealth would be approximately $250 billion, putting him number 9 on the list.
8. Cornelius Vanderbilt (1794-1877) – $263.4 Billion
Nicknamed “the Commodore,” Vanderbilt dominated the transportation industry. He made his wealth in the steamboat, shipping, and later the railroad industry. In addition to his vast wealth and business success, Vanderbilt also left a significant legacy through his philanthropic efforts, including donating millions of dollars towards establishing Vanderbilt University.
Source: All The Money In The World by Peter W. Bernstein and Annalyn Swan
7. Heshen (1750-1799) – $270 Billion
- Nationality: Chinese
- Profession: Government Official
Born Shanbao, Heshen belonged to the Manchu Niohuru clan and served as a prominent official in the Qing dynasty, gaining the favor of the Qianlong Emperor. Through his position, he accumulated vast wealth through methods such as extortion, corruption, and embezzlement of public funds. Heshen’s actions significantly weakened the Qing Dynasty.
At the height of his power, Heshen’s wealth was estimated to be equivalent to 15 years of imperial revenue. Official records, potentially exaggerated by his adversaries, documented the wealth seized from him as including 2,790 rooms in his estates and mansions, 12,000 acres of land, 20 bank and pawnbroker branches, 58,000 taels of pure gold, and much more.
Heshen’s fortunes, valued at an estimated 1.1 billion taels of silver, would equate to approximately USD $270 billion today, ranking him as the seventh richest individual in history.
Source: The Search for Modern China: A Documentary Collection Third Edition by Jonathan D. Spence Janet Chen, Pei-kai Cheng, Michael Lestz; Britannica
6. Elon Musk (1968 – Present) – $274.7 Billion
- Nationality: South African/American
- Profession: Entrepreneur and Business Magnate
Founder of Tesla, SpaceX, and other innovative companies, Elon Musk has become one of the wealthiest individuals in the world due to his ventures into clean energy and space exploration. He was the first person to be worth more than $300 billion. Although his wealth has since fluctuated, Musk remains the world’s richest living person by a significant margin.
While he hasn’t made it into the top five richest people in history yet, his work in technology and sustainability might eventually earn him a spot with these famous individuals in the future. As of now, his wealth puts him in the 6th spot.
Source: Forbes Real-Time Billionaires
5. Mir Osman Ali Khan (1886-1967) – $291.6 billion
- Nationality: Indian
- Profession: Ruler of Hyderabad
The renowned Golconda mines significantly contributed to the Nizams’ wealth, as Hyderabad was the world’s sole diamond supplier in the 18th century. Mir Osman Ali Khan’s wealth, including his land and assets, constituted about 1% of the U.S. economy then. Despite his immense wealth, Mir Osman Ali Khan preferred a modest lifestyle and focused on improving education and infrastructure in his state.
Source: Time Magazine, The Business Standard
4. Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919) – $439.8 Billion
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Steel Magnate
Carnegie, a poor Scottish immigrant, made his riches in the steel industry. Founder of Carnegie Steel Company, which later became U.S. Steel Corporation, Andrew Carnegie is another prime example of a Gilded Age business tycoon.
He sold his company to JP Morgan in 1901 for $480 million and then devoted his life to philanthropy, giving away most of his wealth. During the last 18 years of his life, he donated over $350 million (close to $7 billion in 2024 dollars) and founded Carnegie Hall, Carnegie Mellon University, and many other philanthropic causes.
Source: All The Money In The World by Peter W. Bernstein and Annalyn Swan
3. John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937) – $477.5 Billion
2. Jakob Fugger (1459-1525) – $484.4 Billion
- Nationality: German
- Profession: Merchant and banker
Known as “The Rich,” Fugger was a German merchant, miner, and banker in Europe. He lent money to Charles V so he could become Holy Roman Emperor. In return, Fugger maintained his mining monopoly of copper and silver.
By the time he passed away in 1525, he was worth about $484 billion in today’s money. This amount was roughly 2% of the entire European economy back then. Today, the total GDP of Europe’s 50 countries is about $24.22 trillion.
1. Mansa Musa I (1280-1337) – $500+ Billion
- Nationality: Malian
- Profession: Emperor of the Mali Empire
Known as the “king of kings”, Munsa ruled the Malian Empire (modern-day Mali, Timbuktu, and Ghana). His wealth came from producing gold and salt, which at the time accounted for 50% of the world’s supply. Most historians agree that while he may be the richest man in history, his exact wealth is hard to pin down.
During his pilgrimage to Mecca, he brought 60,000 people and 12,000 slaves, all carrying gold. He spent so much time in Egypt that it caused a national currency crisis that took years to recover. After his death, his wealth was significantly depleted due to civil wars and incursions by invading forces.
Source: BBC.com, Independent, Celebrity Net Worth
Honorable Mention
In addition to the richest people in history, these are leaders and rulers of their countries that were well-known for their wealth.
Solomon (970 BC-931 BC) – $2.5+ Trillion
Need proof of his wealth? He had 1,000 wives – 700 concubines and 300 princesses! Anyone that many wives clearly needs to be rich! Since he ruled for 40 years and received 25 tons of gold a year, just the gold alone in today’s value would be over $2 trillion dollars!
Genghis Khan (1162-1227) – Trillions!
Born as Temujin, he became the leader of the largest contiguous empire in history. It stretched from Korea and China to Europe, which was almost five million square miles of land. Under his sons, the Mongol Empire grew even moe to 11 to 12 million square miles, roughly the size of Africa.
Although he was known to be ruthless to his enemies, he was very generous to his loyal subjects and friends. Unlike conquering armies before, his armies were banned from personal looting. Everything was inventoried and distributing evenly.
He didn’t hoard his wealth which was one of the secrets to his success! Also by uniting the East and West, he is credited for promoting science, arts, law, international trade, and many other advancements. He was known to be a very tolerant ruler, religiously and politically.
Augustus Caesar (63 BC-14 AD) – $5.67 trillion
Born Gaius Octavius, he was Julies Caesar’s grand-nephew and heir as his adopted son. His reign Augustus initiated an era of relative peace known as the Pax Romana (The Roman Peace). He dramatically enlarged the Roman Empire, annexing Egypt, expanded possessions in Africa, expanded into Germany, and completed the conquest of Spain.
As the first Roman emperor, he led the transformation of Rome from republic to empire and accounted for 25% to 30% of the world’s economic output. His personal wealth was equivalent to one-fifth of his empire’s economy, personally owning all of Egypt.
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Nikolai Alexandrovich Romanov (1868-1918) – $400 Billion
Nicolas II was the last Tsar and monarch of Russia, ruling over the Russian Empire from 1894 to 1917. Most of his wealth tied up in the state, but also displayed in magnificent palaces, jewellery, gold, and works of art. Bolshevik revolutionists overthrew his government in 1918, killing him and his family. He was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church, making him the richest saint in history.
William the Conqueror (1027-1087) – $280 Billion
In 1066, William of Normandy, also known as William the Conqueror, became the first Norman King of England. He successfully invaded England in The Battle of Hastings, altering the course of history and making the country the most powerful in Europe. He built his wealth by consolidating his kingdoms.
The Medici Family (1027-1087) – $171.6 Billion
The family earned its wealth through commerce and banking. The family is well-known for its support of the arts and humanities during the Renaissance in Florence, making it the cultural center of Europe.
The Medicis produced four popes, supported artists such as Leonardo da Vince, Michelangelo, and Botticelli.
The Rothschild Family (1577-Present) – $465.6 Billion
The Jewish German family dominated banking and finance in Europe, becoming one of the most powerful and richest families in the 19th century.
Mayer Rothschild’s five sons established and expanded an international banking system in London, Paris, Vienna, Naples, and Frankfurt. They are the richest family in history, with some estimating the family combined owns $1 trillion in real estate and banking assets.