Outlook Business Desk
Modern tycoons like Elon Musk and Mukesh Ambani may top today’s wealthiest people charts, but 14th-century Mali king Mansa Musa had a level of wealth so vast, it makes the fortunes of even the richest people today look modest.
King of the Mali Empire (1312–1337 CE), Mansa Musa is frequently called the richest person who ever lived. His vast wealth came from Mali’s dominance in the gold trade.
Adjusted to today’s economy, Mansa Musa’s fortune is estimated at over $500 billion (₹43.7 trillion), according to Financial Express — far beyond the combined net worths of Musk, Bezos, Ambani, Adani and even Tom Cruise.
Mansa Musa ruled the West African empire of Mali when it was the world’s top gold producer. In an era when gold was the most valuable resource, this made him unimaginably rich and the wealthiest man in history.
In 1324, Mansa Musa set out on a historic pilgrimage to Mecca with a caravan of 60,000 people, 12,000 slaves, and 100 camels—each carrying over 300 pounds of gold. The journey showcased the vastness of his wealth.
During his stop in Cairo, Musa gave away so much gold in donations that it caused massive inflation. The value of gold dropped and the local economy took over a decade to recover—proof of just how powerful his fortune was.
Mansa Musa didn’t build a company like today’s billionaires. His wealth came from Mali’s rich resources and thriving trade in gold, salt, and ivory. Still, his power reached far beyond Africa—kings and rulers across Europe and the Middle East wanted to connect with him.
Mansa Musa also used his immense wealth to support education and architecture. Under his rule, Timbuktu became a major center for Islamic learning. He funded mosques and schools—many of which still stand today as symbols of his lasting legacy.