King Mansa Musa, The richest person who ever lived
If King Mansa Musa were alive today, he would top Forbes’s rich list year on year. King Mansa Musa of Mali, one of the most remarkable kings of all time, reigned multiple regions which included Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Mauritania, and of course Mali. King Mansa Musa became king in 1312, a reign which lasted 25 years.
What was King Mansa Musa’s net worth?
To date, King Mansa Musa is the richest person to have ever lived. His estimated net worth of $400 billion places him comfortably above the Bezos’ and Gates' of this world. Mansa Musa's wealth, if adjusted for inflation, would be seven times that of Bill Gates'. Rudolph Ware (University of Michigan associate history professor) explained in the Times, “Imagine as much gold as you think a human being could possess and double it” he said. “This is the richest guy anyone has ever seen.”
King Mansa Musa’s famous pilgrimage to Mecca
King Mansa Musa wasn’t really known outside of west Africa, his pilgrimage to Mecca, circa 1324 certainly changed that. Mansa’s journey displayed the greatness and vastness of his wealth. He travelled an estimated 4,000 miles with a massive entourage of some 60,000 men, acquiring the region of Gao, modern day Mali along the way.
Mansa Musa’s extravagant gift giving and spending during his pilgrimage made him very popular. His visit to Cairo was of epic proportions, so much so that he gave away enough gold to devalue it by 20 percent. It took 12 years for it to return to its former value.
Timbuktu and University of Sankore
Through King Mansa Musa’s influence, Mali’s capital city Timbuktu became the centre of trade, education, culture and Islam and one of the most famous cities in the world. Mansa’s wealth came from salt and gold, producing more than half the world’s supply. During the 14th century salt was just as important as oil is today. Traders from Venice, Granada and Genoa added Timbuktu to their maps to trade manufactured goods for gold.
As Timbuktu grew to be the key destination for merchants within Africa and the Middle East, so did the region's resource in education. King Mansa Musa valued education and founded the University of Sankore built in Timbuktu. It drew scholars from around the world and was staffed with jurists, astronomers and mathematicians. Wear his name, tell his story with our statement apparel in our classic t-shirt, vest or tote.
