Lexi Webster
The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, is one of the world's wealthiest royals, with an estimated net worth of $28 billion. He has ruled Brunei since 1967 and has also served as the country's prime minister since its independence from the United Kingdom in 1984. Brunei is a small nation with a population of less than 500,000, and it has been ruled by the same family for the past 600 years. The country's massive oil and natural gas wealth finance the Sultan's government, which provides for the education, healthcare, and most other living expenses of its citizens. The Sultan himself is known for his extravagant spending, with a collection of luxury cars, private jets, and a mansion made out of gold.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Net worth | $28-30 billion |
| Car collection | 7,000 cars, including 500 Rolls-Royce, 450 Ferraris, 380 Bentleys, a gold-coated Rolls-Royce, a grey Lamborghini Urraco, a Ferrari 456 GT Venice, and a Porsche 959 |
| Private jets | Boeing 747-400, Boeing 767-200, Airbus A340-200 |
| House | Istana Nurul Iman Palace, worth over Rs 2550 crores, with 1,700-2,000 rooms, 257 bathrooms, 110 garages, and five swimming pools |
| Haircuts | $20,000 per haircut, with his barber flown in from London's Dorchester Hotel |
| Education | Studied at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, England |
| Prime Minister | Prime Minister of Brunei since 1984 |
| Oil and natural gas | Major source of wealth |
Oil and natural gas exports
Brunei's economy has been dominated by the oil and gas industries for the past 90 years. The country's first well discovery was made in Ayer Berkunchi in 1899, followed by the discovery of the Seria field in the Belait District in 1929, and a series of commercial discoveries that culminated in Brunei's first oil export in 1932. Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) is the country's largest oil producer, contributing around 90% of Brunei's oil and gas revenues.
In 2022, Brunei exported $2.1 billion in crude petroleum, making it the 36th largest exporter of crude petroleum in the world. The main destinations of Brunei's crude petroleum exports are Australia, Thailand, India, Singapore, and Japan. In the same year, Brunei imported $5.05 billion in crude petroleum, becoming the 30th largest importer of crude petroleum worldwide. The country imports crude petroleum primarily from Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
Brunei's energy sector is the main contributor to the country's growth, accounting for 64.7% of its GDP in 2022. The country's oil and natural gas exports make up 99% of its total exports. Brunei Shell Petroleum, a joint venture between the Brunei government and Royal Dutch Shell, is the largest oil producer in the country.
The country has made substantial investments in the expansion of its downstream industries to diversify its product portfolio in the oil and gas value chain. This trend is expected to continue, driving the demand for new skills and technology. Brunei's oil and gas fields are mature, and the country continues to undertake further exploration and development activities to sustain long-term production.
The Petroleum Authority of Brunei Darussalam, established in 2019, is the regulatory body for the oil and gas industry in the country. Its long-term vision is to establish a progressive and resilient industry that is responsive to the changing market and can enhance the value created to secure the country's future.
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Rare car collection
The Sultan of Brunei's car collection is one of the largest private car collections in the world, consisting of approximately 7,000 cars with an estimated combined value of over $5 billion. The collection includes:
- 600 Rolls-Royces, including the Silver Spur II stretch limousine plated with 24-carat gold for his wedding day
- 450 Ferraris, including the 456 GT Venice (one of only seven in the world)
- 380 Bentleys, including the Bentley Dominator, the company's first SUV
- McLaren F1s
- Aston Martin Vantage 'Special Series'
- BMW Nazca M12 concept
- Bugatti EB110
- Jaguar XJ220
- Porsche 959
- Lamborghini Urraco
- Porsche 911 GT1
- Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
- And many more
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Private jets
The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, is one of the world's richest monarchs, with a net worth of around $28 billion to $40 billion. He has spent a significant amount of money on private jets, including a Boeing 747-430, which is his largest aircraft.
The Sultan's Boeing 747-430 jet is a customised jumbo jet with a special interior featuring washbasins made of solid gold and Lalique crystal. The original price of the plane was around $100 million, and the Sultan spent an additional $100 million to $120 million on updating its interior. The plane includes a living room, a bedroom, and a bathroom adorned with gold and crystal, showcasing extreme opulence.
In addition to the Boeing 747-430, the Sultan of Brunei also owns a collection of wide-body jets, including two Airbus A340s and a 767. His fleet of aircraft reflects his immense wealth and extravagance.
The Sultan's spending on private jets is just one aspect of his luxurious lifestyle. He is known for his extravagant purchases, such as gold-plated cars, rare artworks, and the construction of massive palaces. His car collection, which includes Rolls-Royces, Ferraris, and Bentleys, is estimated to be worth over $5 billion.
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Gold mansion
The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, has a net worth of around $28-30 billion, making him one of the richest people in the world. He is known for his extravagant spending and luxurious lifestyle.
The Sultan's house, Istana Nurul Iman Palace, is a gold mansion and is included in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest palace in the world. It was built in 1984 to commemorate Brunei's independence and cost over $1 billion. The palace features 5 swimming pools, 257 baths, and more than 1700 rooms. It is designed with a blend of European and traditional Malay architecture and decorated with gold and marble. The palace is also home to the Sultan's 7,000 cars, which are worth around $5 billion.
The Sultan's extravagant spending also extends to his collection of rare automobiles, which includes a gold-plated Rolls-Royce, 450 Ferraris, 380 Bentleys, and 500 Rolls Royces. In addition, he regularly flies his barber in from London's Dorchester Hotel and has invested in a private jet worth $400 million, with additional extras worth $120 million.
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Private zoo
The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, has a private zoo that houses roughly 30 Bengal tigers. The zoo is also home to birds including cockatoos, flamingos, and falcons that can sing, talk, ride bicycles, play basketball, and impersonate other animals.
The zoo is maintained by a team of 10 Thai trainers, who teach and take care of the animals. The chief animal trainer, Chawallak Sathansap, has been working at the zoo for seven years and receives a monthly salary of 70,000 baht, along with other benefits and perks equivalent to those of a government official in Brunei.
Chawallak handles the tigers belonging to the Queen Consort of Brunei, while her husband, Thanakorn Pornsipprapas, looks after the birds. They were offered the job after the Brunei government invited a Malaysian trainer from Safari World in Bangkok to discuss plans to set up a zoo in the country.
The Sultan's private zoo is just one example of his extravagant spending. He is known for his luxurious lifestyle and has been ranked among the wealthiest individuals in the world, with a net worth of around $28-30 billion.
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Frequently asked questions
The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, has a net worth of around $28-30 billion, largely accumulated through oil reserves and natural gas exports. Brunei is the fifth-largest oil producer in Southeast Asia.
The Sultan of Brunei is known for his lavish spending. He owns the largest palace in the world, the Istana Nurul Iman Palace, which has 1,700-2,000 rooms, 257 bathrooms, 110 garages, and five swimming pools. He also owns a private zoo, a gold-coated Rolls-Royce, 450 Ferraris, 380-500 Bentleys, and several private jets, including a gold-plated Boeing 747.
The Sultan of Brunei is known to spend $20,000 on a single haircut by flying his barber in from London's Dorchester Hotel. He also regularly flies to London himself, where he has taken a liking to the Dorchester Hotel and purchased several properties, including the Dorchester Collection of hotels.
The Sultan's government pays for education, healthcare, and most other living expenses of its citizens, creating a welfare state. However, the country will likely face serious difficulties when the oil begins to run out, as oil and natural gas make up 99% of its exports.
The same family has ruled Brunei for the past 600 years. The current Sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah, has been in power since 1967 and is one of the few remaining absolute monarchs in the world. He is also the country's prime minister and has served as the minister of several other departments.
