Did you know that over 40 countries still have a monarch as their head of state? While many roles are ceremonial, some monarchs hold immense personal wealth. So, who is the richest king in the world?
The title of the world's richest monarch goes to King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand. His fortune is estimated to be $43 billion.
This comes from vast royal assets, including over 17,000 properties in Bangkok, strategic holdings in major Thai corporations like banks and telecom companies, and a mind-boggling collection of over 300 luxury cars and 38 private jets.
Following him is Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, with an estimated net worth of $20 billion to $30 billion, and King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, whose personal net worth is reported to be at least $18 billion.
List of the Top 10 Richest Monarchs in the World
According to iconpolls, here’s the list of the top 10 richest kings in the world:
Rank | Monarch | Country | Estimated Net Worth |
1 | King Maha Vajiralongkorn | Thailand | $43 Billion |
2 | Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah | Brunei | $28 Billion |
3 | King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud | Saudi Arabia | $18 Billion |
4 | Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum | Dubai, UAE | $14 Billion |
5 | Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani | Qatar | $12 Billion |
6 | Grand Duke Henri | Luxembourg | $4 Billion |
7 | Prince Hans-Adam II | Liechtenstein | $4 Billion |
8 | King Mohammed VI | Morocco | $2.1 Billion |
9 | Prince Albert II | Monaco | $1 Billion |
10 | King Abdullah II | Jordan | $750 Million |
1. King Maha Vajiralongkorn – Thailand
Source: Financial Times
King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand has been titled the world's richest monarch. Their estimated net value is around 43 billion dollars. He became king on 1 December 2016 after his father's death. Their wealth is managed by the Crown Property Bureau.
Major holdings include huge real estate in Bangkok; significant Thai companies such as Siam Commercial Bank and Siam Cement Group, which include significant bets; and more than 300 cars and collections of 38 private jets.
2. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah – Brunei
Source: Business Today
Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's estimated net worth is $28 billion. He became a sultan on October 5, 1967. Their plenty of wealth comes mainly from the huge oil and natural gas reserves of Brunei. He owns the world's largest residential palace, Istana Nurul Iman. The Sultan is also famous for its incredible car collection, including more than 7,000 vehicles such as numerous Rolls-Royces and Ferraris.
3. King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud – Saudi Arabia
Source: The Guardian
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is the King of Saudi Arabia. His estimated net worth is $18 billion. He ascended to the throne on January 23, 2015. His wealth is deeply rooted in Saudi Arabia's immense oil reserves. The House of Saud, which he leads, has a collective wealth estimated at over $1.4 trillion. His holdings include vast land, international investments, and luxurious properties.
4. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum – Dubai, UAE
Source: BBC
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai. His estimated net worth is $14 billion. He became the Ruler of Dubai on January 4, 2006. His wealth comes from his leadership in transforming Dubai into a global hub. He owns significant luxury properties globally and has extensive investments through various companies, contributing to Dubai's development.
5. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani – Qatar
Source: Al Jazeera
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani is the former Emir of Qatar. His estimated net worth is $12 billion. He ruled Qatar from 1995 until he abdicated in 2013 in favour of his son. During his reign, Qatar became one of the wealthiest countries per capita due to its natural gas production. His family's wealth is heavily invested in real estate, construction, and financial services.
6. Grand Duke Henri – Luxembourg
Grand Duke Henri is the reigning monarch of Luxembourg. His estimated net worth is $4 billion. He became Grand Duke on October 7, 2000. Most of his family's wealth is not from government grants but from private holdings. These include an extensive real estate portfolio, a unique collection of jewels, and large tracts of land. He owns properties like Fischbach Castle and Berg Castle.
7. Prince Hans-Adam II – Liechtenstein
Prince Hans-Adam II is the Prince of Liechtenstein. His estimated net worth is $4 billion. He officially became the ruling Prince on November 13, 1989. His wealth largely comes from the LGT Group, a private bank owned by the princely family. He also possesses a vast collection of Renaissance art and owns several castles and palaces within Liechtenstein and abroad.
8. King Mohammed VI – Morocco
King Mohammed VI is the King of Morocco. His estimated net worth is $2.1 billion. He acceded to the throne on July 23, 1999, after his father's death. His substantial wealth is primarily from his family's holding company, Al Mada (formerly SNI). This company has diverse interests in banking, mining, retail, and renewable energy, both in Morocco and across Africa.
9. Prince Albert II – Monaco
Prince Albert II is the reigning Prince of Monaco. His estimated net worth is $1 billion. He became Prince on April 6, 2005, following his father's passing. His fortune comes from significant real estate holdings in Monaco and France. He also has investments in the Société des Bains de Mer, which operates Monaco's famous casino and other entertainment venues.
10. King Abdullah II – Jordan
Jordan's King Abdullah II is estimated to have a net worth of $ 750 million in 2025, putting him on the list of the richest kings in the world. He became a king after his father passed away in 1999. According to Pandora's papers, it owns real estate and investments in Jordan's tourism and development projects, such as Red Sea Astrium. King Abdullah's wealth comes from both his family's legacy and smart business deals. This keeps it among the richest kings globally.
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