Unimaginable wealth, billion dollar net worths, extravagant lifestyle; seemingly endless vacations, lavish shopping sprees, think royalty, think big bucks! While Queen Elizabeth 11, the world’s longest reigning monarch with an estimated net worth of a whopping $530 millions might seem like the wealthiest of royals, facts doesn’t align.
Today we bring you a sneak peek at five of the world’s wealthiest royal families:
1. Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn – Net worth: US$43 billion
Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn easily tops the world’s list of the richest royals with a staggering estimated net worth of US$43 billion
Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, 67, reigning title Phrabat Somdet Phra Vajira Klao Chao Yu Hua, has been the King of Thailand since 2016.
The only son of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit, in 1972, at age 20, he was made crown prince by his father.
Vajiralongkorn’s personal wealth ranging from US$30 billion up to US$43 billion come from investments derived from the Bureau of the Crown Property.
The title holds 16,210 acres of land in Thailand, with 40,000 rental contracts nationwide, including 17,000 in the country’s capital, Bangkok.
Vajiralongkorn proudly owns the largest faceted diamond in the world – The Golden Jubilee Diamond, a 546.67-carat brown diamond with an estimated value of US$4 million to US$12 million according to Worthy is part of the crown jewel.
The wealthy monarch also has a 23 per cent stake in Siam Commercial Bank, Thailand’s second-largest lender, and a 33.3 per cent stake in Siam Cement Group., the country’s largest industrial conglomerate. Two holdings combined level up to US$9 billion.
2. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Brunei – Net worth: $28 billion – $20 billion
Proud holder of the world’s richest man over and over again until displaced by Bill Gates, Hassanal Bolkiah the 29th and current Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan of Brunei, as well as the Prime Minister of Brunei most definitely has lived the good life many thanks to his billion dollar fortune.
Although his wealth saw a down turn amid falling oil prices and extravagant spending by his brother Prince Jefri, the Sultan of Brunei still seats comfortably reportedly earning $100 a second from oil earning and investments.
The sultan of Brunei profits well from the oil and gas industry and has a lavish lifestyle to show: homes in England, United States etc. Owns the world’s largest palace, which costs more than $350 million, owns more than 600 Rolls-Royces – The car collection reputed for being the largest private car collection in the world, consisting of approximately 7,000 cars which have an estimated combined value over $5 Billion USD. – he commissioned his own private zoo — which has 30 Bengal tigers, plus, getting $20,000 haircuts!
The 74 year old, the world’s second longest-serving monarch’s wealth is derived largely from the state’s numerous businesses and ventures. Some ventures owned by government, others expected to contribute to the monarchy, being the Sultan, huge profit comes to him either way.
3. King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of Saudi Arabia – Net worth: $18 billion
HM King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud, 84 was pro- claimed the seventh king of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in January 2015, succeeding his late brother Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has been the King of Saudi Arabia and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques since 23 January 2015.
The absolute monarch’s wealth is traced to his family’s ownership of a media group that includes the pan-Arab daily Asharq Al-Awsat and Al Eqtisadiah as well as profits from the oil and gas industry – the vast oil reserves uncovered more than 75 years ago, under the reign of King Abdulaziz ibn Saud.
The country’s state-owned natural gas and petroleum company Saudi Aramco is valued by some at more than $2 trillion.
The 82-year-old in recent times has handed over much of the country’s leadership to his son and heir to the throne Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, 32.
4. Emir Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi, UAE – $15 billion
President of the UAE and the emir of Abu Dhabi, has amassed a fortune following
investments from the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.
In addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves; he runs one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with reported assets of $830 billion. Forbes reports.
He is also the chairman of the Supreme Petroleum Council. Sheikh Khalifa is also chairman of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, which manages $875 billion in assets, the largest amount managed by a nation’s head of state in the world.
5. Mohammed VI King of Morroco $8.2 billion -$2.1 billion.
King of Morroco Mohammed VI ascended
the throne on 23 July 1999 upon the death of his father, King Hassan II.
Source of wealth Investments in SNI and Siger Holdings – many thanks to his inheritance from his late father King Hassan, King Mohammed VI of Morocco inherited a 35% stake in Societe Nationale d’Investissement (SNI), a holding company that has stakes in several publicly traded companies, including the country’s largest bank, Attijariwafa; mining company Managem Group; sugar producer Cosumar; and dairy firm Centrale Danone.
