The richest kings in the world come from old kingdoms that once held total control over vast areas and economies. Royal families from around the world have kept their rank as the most wealthy in the period of democracy and wealth democratization.
Regarding the simplest paths to riches, being born into a royal family has to be really near at top. Often thanks to the nation they lead possessing deposits of oil and other significant natural resources, these extraordinarily rich people have enormous inherited fortune. Then there is palace, castle, diamond, and art collection ownership.
Though the word doesn’t bear actual weight in the modern world, royalty is a word with grandiose and ornate connotations. Still, some kings rule the planet on wealth either with or without power.
List Of Top 10 Richest Kings In The World 2024
1. Maha Vajiralongkorn, King Of Thailand -$43 Billion
The richest king in the world is Maha Vajiralongkorn, Thai current king. Officially titled Crown Prince back in 1972, Vajiralongkorn was the rightful heir and took the throne in 2016 following the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej. With an estimated net worth of $43 billion, the great riches and resources the Thai royal family has acquired over millennia help to explain his wealth.
King Vajiralongkorn, the current king, has inherited a great deal of this wealth including large real estate holdings, strong commercial interests, and a sizable portfolio of investments. The major assets under control by the Crown Property Bureau, a private corporation in charge of royal family financial affairs, increase his net worth even more.
2. Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE And Ruler Of Abu Dhabi -$30 Billion
Following his death in 2022, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahaney, succeeding his brother, became the third President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. Based on Forbes’ estimates of his net worth $30 billion he is the second richest king on earth.
Significant interests in the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), and Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, help to define his riches from a varied portfolio of assets. Apart from the enormous real estate holdings of his family, including the famous Burj Khalifa, the tallest structure in the world, financial sector interests like First Abu Dhabi Bank, and his major ownership in several multinational corporations help to define his net worth in addition.
3. Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan Of Brunei -$28 Billion
With an estimated net worth of $28 billion, Hassanal Bolkiah is the Sultan of Brunei and among the third-wealthiest rulers in the world. Having ruled Brunei since 1967, his lavish lifestyle and enormous wealth reflect the great riches resulting from Brunei’s oil and gas reserves. Under his direction, Brunei, a country with great influence and strength, has experienced economic expansion and prosperity, rising to be a high-income country.
4. Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King Of Saudi Arabia -$18 Billion
Currently ruling Saudi Arabia, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud ascended to the throne in 2015 following the death of King Abdullah, his half-brother. His net worth is supposedly $18 billion. Head of the House of Saud, he has occupied several government posts including Minister of Defense and Governor of Riyadh Province. Apart from the riches of the Royal Family of the KSA, a major part of his income comes from the huge oil business under Saudi government control as well as from investments in several sectors like real estate, banking, and telecommunications.
5. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister Of The UAE And Ruler Of Dubai -$14 Billion
Since 2006, with the death of his brother, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been the hereditary Ruler of Dubai in addition to the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates. Estpected to have a net worth of $14 billion, he is well-known for his ambitious Dubai building projects. Along with his family wealth, much of Al Maktoum’s riches comes from his stakes in the successful state-owned businesses including the Emirates airline, the Dubai World conglomerate, and Dubai Holding, which runs hotels, media companies, and business parks, as the main architect of Dubai’s transformation into a worldwide hub of commerce, tourism, and finance.
6. Hans-Adam II, Prince Of Liechtenstein -$4 Billion
Since 1989, Prince Hans-Adam II has been Liechenstein’s ruling Prince. He is well-known for his political engagement in the nation, having been instrumental in the 2003 constitutional referendum therefore augmenting his authority. Apart from his participation in other commercial activities including investments in banking, real estate, and different sectors, his great riches mostly result from the huge holdings of the Princely House of Liechtenstein. Along with large land holdings and art collections, the family’s private bank, LGT Group, is rather important in their financial portfolio and helps to explain their projected net worth of $4 billion.
7. Henri, Grand Duke Of Luxembourg -$4 Billion
Taking the throne in 2000 following his father, Grand Duke Jean, Grand Duke Henri is the current ruler of Luxembourg. With an estimated net worth of $4 billion, he is among the richest rulers on Earth. Head of state and Grand Ducal Family, Henri’s responsibility is mainly ceremonial; most of the executive authority is vested in the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Still, his riches can be ascribed to the Grand Duke’s fortune, which includes real estate holdings, investments, and a share in the Grand Duchy’s steel sector.
8. Mohammed VI, King Of Morocco -$2 Billion
With an estimated net worth of $2 billion, Mohammed VI is the present King of Morocco who ascended to the throne in 1999 following the death of his father, Hassan II. Mohammed VI carried out several political and financial changes under his rule, including giving the Prime Minister additional authority and advancing environmentally friendly growth. Owning a majority share in Société Nationale d’Investissement (SNI), one of the biggest phosphate exporters worldwide, he gets his riches from a varied range of investments and business activities as well as real estate interests.
9. Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir Of Qatar -$2 Billion
Taking the throne in 2013 following the abdication of his father, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is the current Emir of Qatar. His net wealth is about $2 billion. Head of state and absolute king of the oil-rich kingdom, his great fortune mostly comes from his ownership share in the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), the national wealth fund.
The Emir’s ownership of luxury homes, boats, and other high-value assets further accentuates his riches. Qatar, the top supplier of liquefied natural gas worldwide, has made the Emir among the richest kings in the world from her enormous oil and natural gas reserves, which make over 70% of government income, and energy exports.
10. Albert II, Prince Of Monaco -$1 Billion
With an estimated net worth of $1 billion, Albert II, Prince of Monaco mostly comes from the great wealth created by the principality of Monaco, which depends on tourism, real estate, and the profitable gaming business. Prince Albert II’s great riches has been much enhanced by the principality’s well-known casinos, luxurious hotels, and upscale homes. His financial situation was also reinforced by the fact that his family owned several companies and investments.