Mansa Musa, the 14th-century African emperor, stands as perhaps the wealthiest individual to have ever graced the earth. Born in 1280 AD, Mansa Musa ascended to the throne of the vast Mali kingdom in West Africa in 1312 AD. His wealth, estimated at nearly USD 400 billion when adjusted for inflation, dwarfs the fortunes of modern titans like (USD 195.8 billion net worth), Jeff Bezos (USD 194.6 billion).
Mansa Musa's opulence stemmed primarily from the abundant natural resources under his dominion. Gold flowed from mines in regions like Bambuk, Wangara, Bure, Galam, and Taghaza to the south, while the northern territories yielded salt. His reign extended over a multitude of contemporary African nations, including the Ivory Coast, Senegal, Mali, and Burkina Faso, with the imperial capital situated in Timbuktu.
