Wealthiest Man: Sultan Of Brunei?

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, is one of the world's wealthiest royals with an estimated net worth of $28 billion to $30 billion. He was the world's richest man until 1980, according to Business Insider, and in 1988, Forbes ranked him as the richest man. The main source of his wealth is Brunei's oil reserves and natural gas. The sultan is known for his extravagant spending, including a $2.55 billion palace and a $3 billion car collection.

The Sultan's wealth is estimated at $28 billion

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, is estimated to be worth a staggering $28 billion. This fortune places him among the world's wealthiest royals. While he is no longer the world's richest man, he was the richest person on the planet until 1980, according to Business Insider.

The Sultan's wealth is largely derived from the nation's oil reserves and natural gas exports. Brunei is the fifth-largest producer of oil in Southeast Asia, and crude oil and natural gas exports have made the Sultan one of the world's richest people.

The Sultan is known for his extravagant spending and luxurious lifestyle. He resides in the Istana Nurul Iman Palace, which is valued at $2.55 billion and is the largest residential palace in the world, with over 1,700 rooms, 257 bathrooms, and five swimming pools. The palace also includes air-conditioned stables for 200 horses and 110 garages to house his extensive car collection.

Speaking of his car collection, the Sultan is believed to own around 7,000 cars, including 600 Rolls-Royces, 450 Ferraris, and 380 Bentleys. His collection is worth over $5 billion and includes rare finds such as a grey Lamborghini Urraco and a Porsche 959. The Sultan's love for luxury and speed is further evidenced by his fleet of private jets, which includes a gilded Boeing 747.

The Sultan's spending also extends to personal services. He regularly flies his barber in from London's Dorchester Hotel, spending $20,000 on a single haircut. This lavish lifestyle showcases the Sultan's willingness to spend his wealth freely, solidifying his status as one of the world's richest individuals.

He owns 7,000 cars, including 450-500 Ferraris

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, is known for his extravagant spending and luxurious lifestyle. He owns the largest private car collection in the world, consisting of approximately 7,000 cars, with an estimated combined value of over $5 billion.

The Sultan's collection includes:

• 450-500 Ferraris, including the F40, F50, F50 GT, F40 LM, 250 GTO, and the Testarossa F90 Speciale.
• 380 Bentleys, including the Continental R Superfast, the Buccaneer GT coupe, the Java, the Dominator SUV, the Phantom VI, the Phantom VII, the Phantom Royales, a Silver Spur II stretch limousine, and a 24-carat gold-plated Silver Spur II.
• 600 Rolls-Royces, including the Phantom VI, Phantom VII, Phantom Royales, a Silver Spur II stretch limousine, and a 24-carat gold-plated Silver Spur II.
• 10 McLaren F1s, including the F1 GT and the F1 LM.
• 10 Bugatti EB 110s, including the EB 110 SS and the Veyron Grand Sport.
• 55 Porsche 928s, including the 928 S4.
• 3 Mercedes-Benz S73 T AMG Wagons.
• 1 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Coupe.
• 1 Mercedes-Benz CCXR.

He has a gilded Boeing 747 and several private jets

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, is known for his extravagant spending. One of his most famous purchases is his private jet, a gilded Boeing 747-400, nicknamed the "Flying Palace" or the "Floating Palace". The Sultan reportedly paid between $100 million and $400 million for the aircraft, and then added another $120 million to customise it with gold plating, Lalique crystal, hardwood, and custom carpets. The jet features a remote-controlled private office, a master bedroom with ensuite bathrooms, a formal dining room with custom tableware and glasses, a conference room, and various lounge-like areas. The bathrooms are particularly noteworthy, with gold fixtures and washbasins.

In addition to his gilded Boeing 747, the Sultan of Brunei also owns several other private jets, including a Boeing 767-200 and an Airbus A340-200. According to some sources, he also owns two Sikorsky helicopters. These jets are part of a larger collection of wide-body jets at the Sultan's disposal, including two Airbus A340s and a 767. The Sultan's love of aviation extends beyond his fleet of private jets, as he is also a pilot himself and enjoys flying his Boeing 747 overseas.

The Sultan's lavish spending on his private jets and other possessions, such as his collection of rare cars, is funded by his estimated fortune of $20 billion to $40 billion. Much of this wealth comes from oil reserves and natural gas, as Brunei is the fifth-leading oil producer in Southeast Asia. The Sultan's extravagant lifestyle, including his fleet of private jets, has drawn criticism, especially in light of the poverty faced by much of the country's population.

The Sultan's palace is the largest residential palace in the world

With an estimated net worth of $20 billion, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei is one of the world's wealthiest monarchs, and his extravagant spending has certainly reflected this. Home to the Sultan and his family, the Istana Nurul Iman palace is an iconic landmark in Brunei and a symbol of the Sultan's immense wealth and power.

Located on the banks of the Brunei River, Istana Nurul Iman serves as the official residence of the Sultan and the seat of the Brunei government, making it not just a home but also a center of power and governance. Completed in 1984, the palace cost an estimated $1.4 billion to build, an astonishing figure that reflects the Sultan's lavish tastes and seemingly unlimited resources.

Spanning an incredible 2,152,782 square feet, it is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world's largest residential palace. To put its size into perspective, it is roughly four times the size of Vatican City, or the equivalent of over 35 football fields. The palace's sprawling complex includes 1,788 rooms, with 257 bathrooms, a banquet hall capable of seating up to 5,000 people, a mosque with a capacity for 1,500 worshippers, and air-conditioned stables for the Sultan's prized polo ponies.

The palace's architecture is a stunning blend of traditional Malay and Islamic styles, featuring golden domes, ornate mosaics, and lavish marble work. The interior is just as extravagant, with luxurious furnishings, intricate carvings, and precious artworks adorning the walls. The palace is also said to house an extensive collection of luxury cars, with estimates ranging from 2,000 to 7,000 vehicles, including rare and exotic models from brands like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Rolls-Royce.

Beyond its sheer size and opulence, the palace also serves as a venue for important cultural and religious events, as well as state functions and international conferences. During the annual Eid al-Fitr celebrations, the Sultan opens the palace to the public, with thousands of Brunei citizens flocking to the grand banquet hall to receive gifts and well-wishes from the royal family.

His wealth comes from oil reserves and natural gas

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, is one of the world's richest men, with an estimated net worth of US$28 billion to US$30 billion. His wealth comes from oil reserves and natural gas. Brunei is the fifth-largest oil producer in Southeast Asia, and crude oil and natural gas exports have made Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah one of the world's wealthiest people. Oil and natural gas make up 99% of the country's exports.

The sultan's government pays for education, healthcare, and most other living expenses of its citizens, financed through Brunei's massive oil and natural gas wealth, thus the nickname "Shellfare". The sultan provides free education, free medical care, and subsidised housing for all citizens. There is also no personal income tax in Brunei.

The sultan's wealth is also reflected in his extravagant spending. He owns around 7,000 cars, including 600 Rolls-Royces, 450 Ferraris, and 380 Bentleys, with a combined value of over US$5 billion. He also regularly flies his barber in from London's Dorchester Hotel and lives in the world's largest palace, which has more than 1700 rooms, 257 bathrooms, and five swimming pools.

Brunei has been ruled by the same family for the past 600 years, and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah is the 29th sultan to ascend to the throne. He has been the Sultan of Brunei since 1967 and the prime minister of Brunei since independence from the United Kingdom in 1984. He is one of the few remaining absolute monarchs in the world and the world's longest-reigning current monarch and the longest-serving current head of state.

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