It would be too easy to rank the world’s richest people today. You could simply take the founders of some of the top firms in the world, sort them by the value of holdings in their company and voila! At AskMen, we have consulted with economists, financiers and historians to rank some of the most influential men in the history of humanity, as ranked by wealth in 2001 US Dollars (some figures are approximate as they take into consideration inflation, GDP growth, currency exchange rates, and fluctuations in share prices).
10. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan — $ 23 billion
The United Arab Emirates Sheikh has considerable holdings in oil, property and various investments, that boosted his financial wealth to just over $23 billion. In power since 1966, the Sheikh is the man behind the U.A.E.
9. Paul Allen — $25 billion
Microsoft co-founder and Vulcan Ventures founder (and a pretty mean guitarist) makes the list, yes, mostly because of his involvement with the Redmond, Washington-based software giant, but also thanks to his unique intellect, vision, and good-natured, fun-loving demeanor. Even if his wealth were at 28 cents, we would want to sit down and pick his brain (and maybe jam a few tunes with him as well).
8. Warren Buffett — $28 billion
Over the 1990s, Warren Buffett tumbled a bit on this list, mostly because of his aversion to investing in technology stocks. But the “Oracle of Omaha” has apparently had the last laugh as technology stocks melted. Even with some battered picks, Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway is going strong, as his $28 billion would strongly suggest.
7. King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz Alsaud — $30 billion
In power since 1982, the 77-year-old Saudi Arabian King’s fortune has swollen in recent years. At the helm of one of the world’s top oil-producing countries, the King has substantial financial clout as his $30 billion would suggest, but he has even more power than meets the eye, as the recent oil prices have increased immensely.
6. Lawrence J. Ellison — $55 billionCurrently the world’s second richest man, Oracle’s Chief Executive Officer is a charismatic visionary and driven individual, both in and out of the boardroom, who briefly sat atop the Fortune Hierarchy. His managerial skills, target-setting abilities and execution capabilities make up B-School curriculums. His womanizing, thrill-seeking and adventure-chasing exploits are a thing of legend. His fortune is the icing on the cake.
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