[imagesource: @mansamusa_official_/Instagram]

There are business tycoons, moguls, tech giants, and families who have an inordinate amount of money.

Words such as millionaire and billionaire are befitting labels for some of the wealthiest people on this floating rock.

Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Bernard Arnaud and Bill Gates are just a few of the most revered moneyed men of our time. If we delve back into the past, Henry Ford, John D Rockefeller and the Romanov family were astonishingly affluent for their time.

Yet, one figure trumps them all. His name? The one and only Mansa Musa. He was a pious royal who ruled over Mali.

Mansa translates to ’emperor’ in English and Emperor Musa was seen as a benevolent ruler, who had a deep affection for gold.

According to Luxury Launches, most of his great fortune came from gold, trading salt and land.

Image: Instagram / mansamusa_official_

According to many historians, Musa, the ninth ruler of Mali, was the richest man to walk the Earth. During his tenure, Mali continued to build on its reputation as the largest producer of gold in Africa.

What’s interesting is the fact that his strong business acumen enabled him to expand trade within the region. He, along with his advisors, would often trade gold, various salts and ivory with merchants that would come from afar.

Mansa Musa wasn’t afraid to show off his wealth. It is said that he embarked on a lavish pilgrimage to Mecca. For any trip, most people would try to sneak in a number of outfits, shoes and hats into a suitcase.

Emperor Musa took sixty thousand people with him. Dressed them all in luxurious silks, gave them heaps of gold and ensured they were fed well.

Image: Instagram / mansamusa_official_

Travelling across the desert and crossing great planes is not easy but he did it in style. However, upon his return from the pilgrimage, the economy was destabilised, which was largely thanks to his lavish spending habits.

Yet, he found a way to restore order and bring prosperity to the kingdom of Mali by working with his people, investing in innovative cultural projects, and relying on his strong business acumen.

I bet Bezos, Musk, and other members of the billionaire’s club fantasise about having Mansa Musa as a guest for dinner.  

[source:luxurylaunches]