Politics is one of the few fields where people of any background can have a prosperous career. As money is synonymous with power in today's world, it's not uncommon for individuals of business or strong financial sectors to get involved in politics.
In fact, some of the world's businessmen have sought an active career in politics after their retirement; whereas, others tend to grow financially through diplomatic influence.
Despite what many want to believe, politics is not a service; it is a business to some and a career to others. Here, let's take a look at the top 20 wealthiest people in politics.
Net Worth: $2.8 billion
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The Chilean politician currently secures a net worth amounting to $2.8 billion.
Sebastian Pinera is an investor and business, who is also known as the founder of the Coalition for Change.
Pinera is also the first billionaire to be elected as the President of Chile in 2010. Before that, he was a Senator from 1990 to 1998.
Regarding his finances, Sebastian has shares in several companies like Colo-Colo, LAN Airlines, Chilevision, and so on.
Net Worth: $5 billion
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The Brunei Royal Prince had amassed a net worth of $5 billion in 2022.
Prince Azim was one of the twelve siblings of the Brunei Royal family, and the second son of the Brunei Sultan. He was the fourth person to inherit the throne of Brunei and remained in power until his death on 24 October 2020.
Azim was sent for a nine-month officer training course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2008, but he dropped out after one week. He held a charity show in May 2011 at the Empire Hotel and country club Indera Samudra Hall where 31 autistic artists performed.
Also, the Prince regularly involved himself in charity work. Additionally, he was the film producer of You're Not You (2014), Dark Places (2015), Wild Oats (2016), The Time of Their Lives (2017), etc.
Net Worth: $5 billion
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The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia currently has a net worth of $5 billion.
Mohammed bin Salman was earlier the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Saudi Arabia. Also, he is the Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs and the Council of Political and Security Affairs.
After completing his education, Salman spent many years in the private sector and worked as an advisor for Experts Commission. He entered politics at 24 and became the special advisor of his father by becoming the governor of Riyadh Province.
Back in 2015, Salman spent $299 million to buy a mansion in France. He also spent about $500 million to purchase a superyacht in 2017.
Net Worth: $5 billion
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The North Korean leader’s net worth is valued at $5 million in 2022.
Kim Jong-un has been the Supreme Leader of North Korea since 2011 and the leader of the Workers' Party of Korea WPK since 2012.
He is the son of Kim Jong-il, the second Supreme Leader of NK from 1994 to 2011.
Jong-un attended the private International School of Berne in Gümligen in Switzerland under the name Chol-Pak or Pak-chol from 1993 to 1998. He was described as a good student who was shy and got along well with his classmates. He is also a great fan of basketball.
Talking about his wealth, Kim has 20 palaces and mansions, 100 luxury cars, one private jet, and a luxury yacht. In addition, he also has an individual island in North Korea.
Net Worth: $5 billion
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The Filipino politician has a net worth of around $5 billion in 2022.
Imelda Marcos was the first lady to get convicted guilty and sentenced to 20 years in the Philippines. The politician has spent most of her time abroad at extravagant parties and shopping sprees. She spent money on jewelry, personal arts, etc.
Further, Imelda attended the Divine Word University and graduated with a bachelor's in English. Also, she became the President of the student union. She got selected for the Department of Education out of 800 students.
Talking about her fortune, the Philippine government has given her $3.6 billion for her recovery in 2018.
Net Worth: $6 billion
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The Saudi Prince-businessman has a fortune of $6 billion.
Sultan bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Kabeer is a great-nephew of King Abdulaziz, the grandson of the King's sister Noura bint Abdul Rahman.
Further, he is one of the founders of Almarai, the largest vertically integrated dairy foods company.
Talking about his early life, Sultan belongs to the Saudi Royal family and holds a bachelor's degree in commerce and political science from King Saud University.
He was the third person in the Forbes Middle East's billionaire ranking in 2017. Likewise, he has also been listed as one of the wealthiest people in Saudi Arabia in 2022.
Net Worth: $6 billion
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The UAE businessman is the 809th wealthiest person in the world with net worth amounting to $6 billion.
Abdulla bin Ahmad Al Ghurair is the Chairman and Founder of Mashreq Bank, an Emirati bank. Further, Arab League Educational Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) appointed him the first Goodwill Ambassador for education in the Arab world in 2016. He has always been a supporter of developing the education sector in the UAE.
In his early life, Abdulla’s construction company made a Dubai Metro. Today, the main source of his income includes the revenue from his businesses. He is the 809th wealthiest person in the world in 2021 and one of the richest in UAE.
Net Worth: $7 billion
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The Prince of Liechtenstein secures a net worth of $7 billion in 2022.
Hans gained the throne at the age of 25 years; he is the son of Prince Franz Joseph II.
Further, Hans is the title winner of Duke of Troppau, Jägerndorf, and Count of Rietberg.
He graduated from the University of St. Gallen in 1969 with a master's degree in Business and Economic Studies. He
Currently worth $7 billion, Hans' net worth has reached a high of $10 billion and a low of $3.5 billion.
He has a family fortune of $7.6 billion and a personal portfolio of about $4 billion, which has made him one of the wealthiest people in the state and Europe.
Net Worth: $7.5 billion
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The UAE businessman is worth $7.5 billion in 2022.
Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair is the Director of the Abdullah Al Ghurair Group of Companies and the Chairman of Mashreq Bank.
Abdullah Al Ghurair Group of Companies is one of the largest business groups in the Middle East which operates in more than 20 countries and has business roots extending back half a century.
Ghurair graduated from California Polytechnic State University with a degree in electrical engineering. He joined Mashreq in 1977 and worked in various capacities till 1988.
Likewise, Abdul has also served as the Speaker of the House for the Federal National Council.
Net Worth: $8.3 million
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The Ethiopian businessman falls in the 11th position with a considerable net worth of $8.3 million.
Mohammed Al Amoudi is the owner of several businesses in construction, energy, agriculture, mining, hotels, etc. Further, he is one of the largest investors in Sweden and Ethiopia.
He ranked among the 100 wealthiest people by Forbes in 2006 and has 82 on the list in 2015. Addis Ababa University awarded him an honorary doctorate and Order of the Polar Star by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.
Mohammed's source of income includes his revenue from construction, real estate, oil refineries, and other business ventures. His company won the contract to build Saudi Arabia's estimated $30 billion nationwide underground oil storage complex in 1988.
Net Worth: $8.5 billion
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The Italian politician-entrepreneur has secured an astounding net worth of $8.5 million in 2022.
Silvio Berlusconi has served as the Prime Minister of Italy for four governments. He was a member of the Chamber of Deputies from 1994 to 2013 and served as a European Parliament MEP.
Further, Silvio also worked as a senior G8 Leader from 2009 until 2011 and has been holding the record for hosting G8 Summits most times.
In January 1994, he rapidly came to politics after getting elected to the Chamber of Deputies for the first time. He was consequently appointed as the Prime Minister following the 1994 Parliamentary Elections.
Silvio served 19 years in the Chamber of Deputies, Italy's lower house. Likewise, he is one of the longest-serving Prime Ministers of Italy. Also, he is the owner of the Italian football club A.C. Milan, which is considered his main source of income.
Net Worth: $14 billion
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The Dubai ruler currently boasts a net worth of $14 billion in 2022.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has worked in the positions of Vice President, Prime Minister, and Defense Minister. He is also the former Vice President of the United Arts Emirates and the third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
Maktoum started his formal education in 1955 at Al Ahmedis School and eventually moved to Al Shaab School. He went to Dubai Secondary School after two years.
Later, he joined the Bell Educational Trust's English Language School in the United Kingdom and subsequently studied at the Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot.
Sheikh’s primary source of his income is considered business. He is the Landlord of Dubai, holding a share of 99.67%, and is also responsible for artificial Palm Islands in the Persian Gulf.
Net Worth: $82 billion
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The American politician-businessman tops the list with a net worth of $82 billion.
Michael Bloomberg is a majority shareholder and co-founder of Bloomberg LP. The company owns several media channels and business ventures, including Bloomberg News, Bloomberg Radio, Bloomberg Industry Group, Bloomberg Finance LP, and more. Bloomberg LP makes its earnings from multiple sources like subscription fees, brokerage, venture, and so on.
Further, Michael is also considered a philanthropist. He has donated over 5 billion from his private fortune for social causes such as gun control and fighting global warming.
Net Worth: $17 billion
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The Saudi Prince is in the eighth position of the wealthiest politicians in 2022 with a net worth of $17 billion.
Al Waleed bin Talal Al Saud is a billionaire businessman, investor, philanthropist, and Royal Prince from Saudi Arabia.
He got listed in Time magazine's Time 100, an annual list of the hundred most significant people in the world in 2008. Also, he is the grandson of the first Saudi Arabia King, Abdulaziz.
Waheed got his bachelor's degree in business administration from Menlo College in California in 1979. He received his master's degree in Social Science from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University in 1985.
Regarding his finances, Talal is the CEO, founder, and 95 percent shareholder of Kingdom Holding Company. Similarly, his company got a market value of over $18 billion in 2013.
He got enlisted by Gulf Business as the Hundred Most Dynamic Arab from 2013 to 2021.
Net Worth: $18 billion
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The Abu Dhabi ruler-UAE second President has a net worth of $18 billion in 2022.
Sheikh Khalifa served his nation from November 2004 until his death in May 2022. He is the eldest son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first President of the United Arab Emirates.
Khalifa served as the supreme commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces and the Emir of Abu Dhabi. He spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on Seychelles' main island of Mahé and owned properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion.
Nahyan joined and completed his education at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He was appointed the Ruler's Representative in the Eastern Region of Abu Dhabi and Head of the Courts Department in Al Ain.
Net Worth: $20 billion
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The King of Saudi Arabia has secured a net worth of $20 billion in 2022.
Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud became the King of Saudi Arabia in 2015 and was the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia from 2012 to 2015.
He has reigned as the King among his six brothers and is the 25th son of King Abdulaziz. In 1954, Salman was appointed as deputy governor of Riyadh Province and appointed the provincial governor on 5 February 1963.
Further, Abdulaziz was the Deputy Governor of Riyadh and Governor of Riyadh from1963 to 2011. He later got appointed as the Minister of Defense and was named the Crown Prince in 2012.
Net Worth: $20 billion
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The 29th Sultan of Brunei is the 5th richest politician in 2022, boasting a net worth of $20 billion.
Hassanal Bolkiah served as the Prime Minister of Brunei since the country's independence from the United Kingdom in 1984. He was the last absolute monarch in the world to succeed to the throne of Brunei Sultan, following the abdication of his father on 5 October 1967.
He attended and completed his education at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom in 1967. He got his high school education from Victoria Institution in Kuala Lumpur. A car enthusiast, Bolkiah has spent a significant portion of his wealth on a luxury car collection.
Net Worth: $30 billion
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The UAE politician currently has a net worth of $30 million in 2022.
Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan is UAE's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister Of Presidential Affairs, and a member of the ruling family of Abu Dhabi. His brother is Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE.
Further, Nahyan is the Chairman of the company IPIC and is the owner of Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation. He was also appointed as the Chairman of the Emirates Investment Authority, the sovereign wealth fund of UAE, in 2007.
Mansour joined Santa Barbara Community College as an English student in 1989. He later received a bachelor's degree in International Affairs in 1993 from the United Arab Emirates University.
Net Worth: $30 billion
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The King of Thailand secures the third position in the list of the world's richest politicians in 2022 with a net worth of $30 billion.
Vajiralongkorn was made the Crown Prince in 1972 by his father; he eventually became the tenth monarch of the Chakri dynasty, styled as Rama X. He served in the military operations against the Communist Party of Thailand in 1970 and succeeded on the throne after his father's death.
Further, Maha was also the oldest Thai monarch to ascend to the throne.
Regarding his education, Vajiralongkorn completed his bachelor's degree in liberal arts from the University of New South Wales in 1976. He later completed a second bachelor's degree in law at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University in In 1982.
Net Worth: $70 billion
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The Russian leader is second on the list with a net worth of $70 billion.
Vladimir Putin is, undoubtedly, one of the most powerful people in the world today. In addition to influence, he has also amassed a massive fortune since becoming the President of Russia in 2000.
Professionally, Putin earns about $140k per year; however, his lifestyle and properties suggest he has multiple sources of income. As per reports, the Russian politician owns a palace worth $1.3 billion which is situated on the banks of the Black Sea. He is also believed to own several multi-million dollar real estate properties all over the world, including a holiday home in Vyborg Bay, a lake house in St. Petersburg, a nuclear bunker in the Altai Mountains, the Bocharov Ruchey In Sochi, and more.
Further, the 69-year-old Russian politician reportedly has a collection of 700 luxury cars along with 58 airplanes and helicopters. He is also believed to have an aircraft worth $716 million and a yacht valued at $100 million.
Many sources have claimed that Putin's official net worth of $70 billion only showcases his legal fortune. In fact, he is even rumored to be the wealthiest person in the world with a net worth of over $200 million.
