Mansa Musa I was an African ruler from the 1300s who is considered the richest man who ever lived. His net worth was $400 billion.

His reign lasted between 1312–37, during which the Malian Empire covered modern day Ghana, Timbuktu and Mali.

Musa’s immense wealth can be attributed to the fact that Mali produced staggering quantities of salt and gold. The man is most famous for his 6500 km trip to Mecca accompanied by a caravan of 60,000 people.

The pilgrimage to Hajj is one of legend. His entourage included thousands of servants, carrying over 20 tonnes of gold, along with elephants horse, camels, and mules. It apparently took a full day for the entire caravan to pass.