Mansa Musa I
Mansa Musa I was an emperor of Mali. He is commonly known for his expansive riches and fortune. He is also known for building the Great Mosque found in Timbuktu. His journey to Mecca in 1324 displayed the wealth and importance of West Africa. Born in 1280 and death in 1337 he lived 57 years of splendor and luxury.
When you think of the richest people of all time, you most likely would not assume a Malian Emperor who reigned about 700 years ago. If you think Bill Gates or Carlos Slim are people who have more money than one single person should have then think about Mansa Musa. He had a net worth of over 400 billion dollars and has been declared the wealthiest man to ever live. Mansa used his wealth in very many different ways. He financed the construction of the Great Mosque in Timbuktu. Mansa also made a pilgrimage to Mecca. That journey of his may have been the most extravagant voyage ever. He brought with him over 11,000 slaves and eighty camels for his luggage. When Mansa made it to Cairo, Egypt he handed out so much gold to the people that it caused inflation for twelve years.
Monsa Musa's emperor was one of the largest in the world at that time. People reported that it could take a full year to travel from one end of his empire to the other. This vast land is taken up mostly by the capturing of Songahi the capital of Gao on his pilgrimage to Mecca. One of his generals, Sagmandia captured this kingdom, which stretched several miles across, which mans a vast amount of territory. Monsa was so happy with this new territory he traveled back to Gao and received a personal submission from the king of Songhai, and take the kings two sons as hostages. Monsa Musa's army was very powerful at the time.