Bill Gates Vs Sultan Of Brunei: Who Wins?

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, was once regarded as the world's richest man. His wealth in the early 1990s was estimated to be around $40 billion, with some sources claiming that his net worth and assets remain similar today. However, in 1998, Bill Gates surpassed the Sultan of Brunei to become the world's richest person, with a net worth of $51 billion. Gates's wealth primarily stems from his 24% shareholding in Microsoft, which he founded at the age of 21. While the Sultan of Brunei's exact net worth is unknown, it is estimated to be $20 billion as of 2008, and $30 billion as of 2023, placing him among the wealthiest individuals in the world.

The Sultan of Brunei's wealth

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, is one of the few remaining absolute monarchs in the world and has ruled Brunei since 1967. He is also the Prime Minister of Brunei and has been ranked among the wealthiest individuals in the world.

The Sultan's wealth is derived almost entirely from the export of oil and gas through a 1,300-mile network of undersea pipelines. In 1997, his wealth was estimated at $38 billion, with Bill Gates coming in a close second that year at $36.4 billion. However, falling oil prices and the Asian currency crisis in 1998 negatively impacted the country's economy and the Sultan's wealth. As of 2023, the Sultan's net worth is estimated to be around $30 billion, while Bill Gates' net worth is estimated to be significantly higher.

The Sultan of Brunei is known for his extravagant spending and luxurious lifestyle. He owns one of the largest private car collections in the world, with over 7,000 cars valued at an estimated $5 billion. His collection includes custom-made Bentleys, Ferraris, BMWs, a McLaren F1 LM, and a unique gold-coated Rolls-Royce. He also owns a gilded Boeing 747 and lives in the world's largest palace. The Sultan regularly flies his barber in from London's Dorchester Hotel and has been known to spend lavishly on art, with a $70 million Renoir among his collection.

While the Sultan of Brunei is incredibly wealthy, Bill Gates has surpassed him as the world's richest person.

Bill Gates' wealth

While the Sultan of Brunei's wealth is difficult to pinpoint due to the secretive nature of the state, it was estimated to be around $38 billion in 1997, with his earnings derived almost entirely from the export of oil and gas. However, due to falling oil prices, economic crises, and profligate spending by his brother, Prince Jefri, the Sultan's wealth took a significant hit. By 2000, his fortune had decreased to around $16 billion, and he was no longer the world's richest person.

In contrast, Bill Gates' wealth has continued to grow and diversify over the years. In addition to his holdings in Microsoft, Gates has published two books and has been known for his modest lifestyle, despite indulging in a multimillion-dollar home. While both Gates and the Sultan of Brunei have experienced fluctuations in their wealth, it is evident that Gates' wealth has outpaced that of the Sultan, solidifying his position as one of the richest people in the world.

Brunei's economy

The economy is a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation and welfare, and village traditions. Brunei's citizens enjoy high per capita incomes, free medical services, and subsidised food and housing. However, the country's economic stability is vulnerable to fluctuations in the price of oil, as evidenced by the impact of the 1997 Asian financial crisis.

Recognising the need to reduce this vulnerability, the government has been attempting to diversify the economy away from oil and gas. They have made efforts to develop other sectors, including agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and financial services.

Agriculture, fishing, and forestry, once the mainstays of Brunei's economy, now account for a small fraction of GDP. The government has implemented programs to stimulate local fisheries and develop the agricultural industry, with some success. Brunei has achieved self-sufficiency in poultry and egg production and is approaching self-sufficiency in vegetables.

Brunei's substantial foreign reserves are managed by the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA), which aims to increase the real value of the country's foreign reserves through a diverse investment strategy. The government actively encourages foreign investment, offering tax exemptions for new enterprises that meet certain criteria.

While Brunei has the highest income tax rate in Asia, with a flat rate of 40%one of the highest per capita incomes in Asia and one of the highest rates of car ownership in the world.

The Sultan's spending habits

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, is known for his extravagant spending habits. He is a one-man show in the small Asian nation of Brunei, serving as the absolute monarch, supreme leader of the Islamic faith, prime minister, finance minister, foreign affairs and trade minister, superintendent of police, defence minister, commander of the armed forces, and chancellor of the national university. His personal wealth, estimated at $27.7 billion, has earned him a place among the world's richest rulers.

The Sultan's primary source of wealth is the export of oil and natural gas through a vast network of undersea pipelines. His fortune is said to grow by $147 every second, and he has found numerous ways to spend it. He lives in the Instana Nurul Iman Palace, the largest royal residence in the world, with 1800 rooms, five swimming pools, a massive mosque, air-conditioned pony stables, and a banquet hall that can accommodate 5000 guests. The palace is adorned with fixtures made from gold and diamonds.

The Sultan is a renowned car enthusiast, and his luxury car collection is valued at $9 billion, including Rolls Royces, Ferraris, Bentleys, Lamborghinis, Aston Martins, and Jaguars. He also owns a fleet of private planes, such as a $138 million Airbus, a $251 million Boeing 767, and a customised Boeing 747 worth $431 million, adorned with gold. He spares no expense on his badminton coach, who earns a $2 million salary, and he spends a similar amount on acupuncture and massages. When he needs a haircut, he flies in his favourite stylist via private jet.

The Sultan has also spent lavishly on his three weddings. He married his cousin, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha, in 1965, and she remains his wife and Queen Consort, as polygamy is legal in Brunei. He has footed the bill for five of his children's weddings, including that of his oldest son and heir, Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, who married in 2004 with Whitney Houston performing at the reception for a fee of $10.1 million.

Bill Gates' spending habits

Bill Gates is one of the richest people in the world, with a fortune worth an estimated $153 billion. In 1998, he overtook the Sultan of Brunei as the world's richest person, and his wealth has continued to grow since then. While Gates has indulged in some lavish purchases over the years, he doesn't plan to stay as one of the richest people in the world forever and has pledged to give away most of his fortune to philanthropic causes.

Despite his immense wealth, Gates is not known for extravagant spending habits. In a 2016 Reddit Ask Me Anything, he stated that he doesn't like spending a lot of money on clothes or jewelry. He is known for dressing simply and, at a 2014 event, revealed that he wears a $10 wristwatch. Gates also told Ellen DeGeneres that when he became a billionaire at the age of 31, he didn't go on a spending spree. However, he has made some indulgent purchases over time, such as a private plane and a luxury car collection.

Gates' primary residence, known as Xanadu 2.0, is located in Medina, Washington. The estate reportedly took seven years and $63 million to build and is worth an estimated $183.5 million today. It includes a 60-foot pool in its own 3,900-square-foot building, with an underwater sound system. Gates also reportedly imported sand from St. Lucia in the Caribbean to the shore surrounding his house. The estate also features a 2,100-square-foot library, which houses a 16th-century Leonardo da Vinci manuscript that Gates bought for $30 million. In addition, the house has six kitchens, 24 bathrooms, a home theater for 20 guests, and various garages for 23 cars.

Outside of his primary residence, Gates owns several other properties across the United States. He has a 20-acre estate in Wellington, Florida, which includes two mansions and was purchased to support his daughter's equestrian pursuits. In California, Gates owns the 228-acre Rancho Paseana, which he bought for $18 million, and an oceanfront home in Del Mar, California, which he acquired for $43 million. He also owns properties in San Diego County, Indian Wells, and Montana.

In addition to real estate, Gates has invested in various stocks and assets. He launched a $1 billion investment fund, Breakthrough Energy, and has made numerous investments through his personal investment firm, Cascade. He also has a controlling stake in the Four Seasons hotel chain and owns a Bombardier BD-700 Global Express private jet.

While Gates doesn't indulge in extravagant spending on a regular basis, he has been known to treat his family to luxurious vacations. In 2014, he chartered the 439-foot superyacht Serene for $5 million a week, which included a helicopter. He has also traveled to various destinations around the world, including Australia, Croatia, Belize, and the Amazon in Brazil.

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