The Richest People Who Ever Lived

The richest person who ever lived. His pilgrimage to Mecca crashed the gold market across three continents for a decade.

Source of wealth: Mali Empire gold and salt

According to the Bible, he received 666 talents of gold per year — roughly $1.3 trillion in today's money. History's wealthiest monarch.

Source of wealth: Biblical kingdom, trade routes, gold tribute

Controlled 90% of America's oil. His fortune at peak was worth more than the entire US federal budget.

Source of wealth: Standard Oil monopoly

Sold his steel empire for $480 million in 1901 — then gave away 90% of it. His adjusted fortune rivals today's tech billionaires.

Source of wealth: Carnegie Steel Company

Billionaire aviator, filmmaker, airline owner. Ended his life as a recluse who hadn't cut his nails in years.

Source of wealth: Hughes Aircraft, TWA, film, real estate

Didn't invent the car. Didn't invent the assembly line. But he made both affordable — and became the richest man in America.

Source of wealth: Ford Motor Company

Built the largest media empire in America — 28 newspapers, 18 magazines, radio stations, film studios. Then nearly lost it all.

Source of wealth: Newspaper empire

Bailed out the US government. Twice. His bank was so powerful that the Federal Reserve was created specifically to replace him.

Source of wealth: Banking and finance

Started with a $100 loan from his mother at age 16. Built a $105 million railroad empire. His descendants blew through it all within 50 years.

Source of wealth: Shipping and railroads

America's first multimillionaire. Bought most of Manhattan when it was farmland. His family's wealth lasted 150 years.

Source of wealth: Fur trade and Manhattan real estate