Emperor Mansa Musa I, an African King from the late 13th century, has been named the richest

person who ever lived.

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Emperor Mansa Musa I, an African King from the late 13th century, has been named the richest person who ever lived. CelebrityNetWorth.com listed Musa I on the ranks with Warren Buffet, Bill Gates and Muammar Ghaddafi, below his name.

Mansa Musa I was the ruler of the Mali Empire, which included Timbuktu, Ghana and Mali. In todays currency, the Emperor woul d have been worth $400 billion dollars. He was the 10th Mansa, or Ruler, of the Malian empire.

Mansa Musa I gained his wealth through Malis supply of salt and gold, which was the main source for most of the world during that time. He educated his countries during his rule, which helped them to maintain sufficiency beyond his years. Scholars were attracted to Mali, which was established as a global symbol of power and the birthplace of Sudano-Sahelian architecture.

Unfortunately, after two generations of the Malian empire through war and army invasions, the fortune was depleted. As part of his legacy, the mosque and university built during his reign is still in place in Timbuktu.

Emperor Mansa Musa I was said to have died in 1331, but some accounts have him alive as late as 1337.