The World’s Richest Royal Family: Worth 4 Times More Than Elon Musk and Bill Gates Combined

When you think of royal dynasties, images of grandeur, opulence, and privilege come to mind.

But one dynasty eclipses all others in sheer wealth: the Saudi royal family, known as the House of Saud.

This dynasty boasts an estimated net worth of a staggering $1.4 trillion—more than four times the combined fortunes of Elon Musk and Bill Gates, two of the wealthiest individuals in the world.

With approximately 15,000 members, the House of Saud is a colossal institution. However, its vast fortune is largely concentrated among about 2,000 close relatives. At the core of their wealth lies Saudi Arabia’s immense oil reserves, the primary driver of the kingdom’s revenue and economic power.

Leading this affluent dynasty is King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who has ruled since 2015.

His son, Prince Mohammed bin Salman (widely known as MBS), serves as Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader and current prime minister.

Together, they represent a family known for an extravagant lifestyle that includes sprawling palaces, private jets, luxury yachts, and a priceless art collection.

Some of their most jaw-dropping acquisitions include:

• Louis XIV’s French château, purchased for $300 million.
• Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi, the world’s most expensive painting, bought for $450 million.
• A superyacht valued at nearly $500 million.

This opulence has become a defining symbol of the Saud dynasty’s unparalleled wealth.

How Does It Compare to the British Royal Family?

In comparison, the British Royal Family’s wealth pales.

Forbes estimates the monarchy’s net worth at around $88 billion—a figure driven by tangible assets like real estate and the value of their storied "brand." Let’s break it down further:

Key assets include:

• The Duchy of Cornwall, a highly profitable portfolio of land and investments.
• The Duchy of Lancaster, a separate estate owned directly by the reigning monarch, valued at approximately $830 million and encompassing iconic properties like the Savoy Hotel and Somerset House.

King Charles III’s personal wealth is estimated at $715 million, placing him far from the ranks of the world’s super-rich.

While substantial, the gap between the British monarchy and the Saud family’s fortune is extraordinary.

Wealth as a Symbol of Power

The House of Saud’s fortune isn’t just a number; it’s a powerful symbol of the geopolitical power that oil wealth has afforded Middle Eastern monarchies.

Following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the 20th century, nations like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE leveraged their natural resources to fuel explosive economic growth.

In today’s globalized world, this wealth has become a tool of soft power.

Through strategic investments, acquisitions of cultural assets, and international partnerships, the Saud family has cemented its influence far beyond the Middle East—all while maintaining tight control over their immense resources.

There’s a fascinating contrast to consider: while Western monarchies often grapple with their relevance in democratic societies, the House of Saud operates within a system where the monarchy remains integral to both politics and culture.

Yet this concentration of wealth and power inevitably raises questions about economic inequality and the long-term sustainability of such a model.

The House of Saud’s wealth may be polarizing, but its sheer scale is difficult to fathom.

It embodies an economic system built on natural resources, enabling the dynasty to wield power on a global scale. Compared to their Western counterparts, the Saud family’s fortune signifies more than opulence— it represents a geopolitical influence that reaches far beyond the Middle East, shaping global dynamics in ways we are only beginning to comprehend.

Original article published on Money.it Italy 2024-11-25 17:05:59. Original title: La famiglia reale più ricca del mondo vale 4 volte di più di Elon Musk e Bill Gates messi insieme