Do you really know? Who is the richest man in history?
Sep 22, 2025
The fascinating journey of wealth is explored, comparing titans like Jeff Bezos and Mansa Musa. Did you know it would take the average American over 3 million years to amass Bezos-level riches? The podcast dives into Mansa Musa's legendary gold during his 1324 pilgrimage, highlighting how inheritance shapes concentrated power. Discover how wealth structures might obscure true financial understanding and the untold stories of historical figures.
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Billionaires Break Income Comparisons
- Modern billionaires' wealth far exceeds normal income measures and can't be compared to salaries alone.
- Amber Minogue shows Bezos's $236B equals over 3 million years of median US wages, assuming zero spending.
Mansa Musa's Lavish Pilgrimage
- Mansa Musa ruled Mali from 1312 to 1332 and amassed enormous wealth estimated at $400–$600 billion in today’s dollars.
- His 1324 pilgrimage to Mecca included over 10 tons of gold and a caravan that caused economic collapse in Cairo due to gold oversupply.
Resource Control Created Historic Wealth
- Mali's wealth came from being the world's largest known gold reserve at the time, all legally belonging to the emperor.
- Control of vast natural resources allowed centralized rulers like Mansa Musa to accumulate historically unmatched fortunes.