While Elon Musk holds the title of the richest person on Earth in late 2025, Mansa Musa, the 14th-century emperor of the Mali Empire, continues to be recognised as the wealthiest human in history.
Mansa Musa (c. 1280–1337), also known as Musa I of Mali, ruled from approximately 1312 to 1337. Under his leadership, the Mali Empire reached its peak, controlling vast trade routes across modern-day Mali, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, and Mauritania.
The empire produced more than half of the world’s gold supply at the time, alongside salt and ivory.
A devout Muslim, Musa is famous for his extravagant pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324, reportedly accompanied by 60,000 people and hundreds of camels carrying gold. His lavish distribution of gold in cities like Cairo caused inflation that lasted over a decade.
On his return, he brought scholars, architects, and artists to Mali, transforming cities such as Timbuktu into major centres of learning with mosques, libraries, and universities.
An AI-generated image of Mansa Musa’s golden desert procession that caused inflation in Cairo
While modern estimates of Mansa Musa’s wealth are necessarily speculative, many sources, including Britannica, BBC, and History.com, suggest it would equal around $400 billion or more in today’s terms, primarily due to the empire’s control over gold and other resources.
The Catalan Atlas of 1375, considered the definitive historical depiction of Mansa Musa, shows him seated on a golden throne, wearing a gold crown, and holding a large golden orb and sceptre, with European cartographers placing him at the centre of the known world in awe of his immense wealth.
Experts note that direct comparisons with modern billionaires are impossible because Musa’s wealth was intertwined with state resources rather than liquid assets like stocks.
In contrast, the current richest person on Earth is Elon Musk, whose net worth fluctuates between $482 billion and $677 billion in late 2025, according to Forbes and Bloomberg, largely driven by Tesla and SpaceX valuations.
Other Notable Contemporary Wealth Rankings as of December 2025:
• Richest YouTuber: MrBeast (~$1–2.6B)
Known for his viral stunts, philanthropy, and massive giveaway videos, MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) has transformed digital content creation into a billion-dollar empire. His wealth comes not just from ad revenue but also from brand deals, merchandise, and his food ventures like MrBeast Burger.
• Richest Footballer: Cristiano Ronaldo (~$1.4B)
The Portuguese superstar combines earnings from club salaries, endorsements, and personal business ventures. Ronaldo remains one of the most marketable athletes in the world, with investments in hotels, fitness brands, and digital platforms contributing significantly to his net worth.
• Richest Cricketer: Sachin Tendulkar (~$170M)
The legendary Indian batsman has sustained his wealth through endorsements, coaching initiatives, and business ventures in sports academies and media. Even years after retiring, Tendulkar remains a global icon with enduring influence in cricket and beyond.
• Richest Author: J.K. Rowling (~$1B+)
The Harry Potter creator’s fortune stems from book sales, film adaptations, theme park royalties, and related merchandise. Rowling has successfully expanded her intellectual property into multiple revenue streams, maintaining her status as one of the wealthiest authors ever.
• Richest Company by Market Value: Nvidia (~$4.5–4.6T)
The AI and graphics-chip giant has seen exponential growth amid surging demand for GPUs in artificial intelligence, gaming, and cloud computing. Nvidia’s market value reflects its central role in powering cutting-edge technologies globally.
• Richest Country in Natural Resources: Russia (~$75T)
Russia’s immense wealth comes from a vast array of natural resources, including oil, gas, minerals, and timber. The country’s resource base underpins its global economic influence and positions it as a key player in energy markets.
• Richest Country in Oil Reserves: Venezuela
Venezuela continues to hold the world’s largest proven oil reserves, primarily in the Orinoco Belt. Despite economic and political challenges, its vast oil wealth remains a critical asset with potential long-term value.
• Richest Currency: Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD)
The Kuwaiti Dinar remains the world’s strongest currency in terms of exchange rate against the US dollar. Its strength reflects the country’s robust oil-based economy, fiscal stability, and prudent monetary policy.
Experts continue to debate Mansa Musa’s exact wealth, but his legendary status as the richest person in history remains undisputed, with his reign remembered for immense prosperity, cultural development, and the spread of Islam in West Africa.
