The Richest People of All Time

by Redburn in History, July 20, 2009

One thing is to be the richest man in the world like Bill Gates, another thing is to be the richest man of all time like John D. Rockefeller. See this interesting list and start dreaming.

1. John D. Rockefeller

He made his wealth from oil company Standard Oil. At his peak his wealth was 2% of America’s entire wealth! This is amazing. When he went to court because of trust monopolist practices, his company was divided in 34 small companies and this skyrocketed the shares, doubling his wealth overnight. He also managed to live 97 years.

How much is he worth today? $318.3 billion

2. Andrew Carnegie

Steel is everywhere and this man knew how to make the most of it. He managed his business to well that he made more than 200$ million at his time. From that time on his money got more value with inflation and today is worth $298.3 billion.

3. Nicholas II of Russia

The last Tsar of Russia ruled the country in such a bad way that he had to leave the power. He inherited all he had. He is worth $253.5 billion.

4. William Henry Vanderbilt

He inherited nearly $100 million from his father and was called a loser by his father. However he managed to manage the business until he became super rich and earned the respect of his father. $231.6 billion.

5. Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII

In 1937 this man, Asaf Jah VII, was on the cover of Time Magazine. He was the richest man in the world. How did he manage to make all this? He improved his country services such as railroads.

6. Andrew W. Mellon

$188.8 billion made with banking proves this is a really profitable thing to dedicate your life to. He started to work at 17 and was running his father business at 27. He was able to increase the federal revenue by decreasing taxation and the federal spending.

7. Henry Ford

This man needs no introduction. He is simply one of the most famous and successful man of all time. He did not invent the car. He made the car available to everyone at the cheappest price he could and by paying the best salaries he could. How much? $188.1 billion.

8. Marcus Licinius Crassus

The only thing this man cared for was money. He would steal, kill, sell for profit, anything that gave him more money was welcome. Needless to say he died for the money. He is worth now $169.8 billion.

9. Basil II

He was a Byzantine emperor from the Macedonian dynasty and made his empire one of the most powerful and richest ever. There is not too much information about him.

$169.4 billion