Richest Dictators
What is the role of a leader? IS it accumulate wealth for himself and give his family an extravagant lifestyle or to be concerned for his people? The dictators given below used their power over country’s wealth and have built an empire for themselves. Here is the list of the dictators who have been in power for long and enjoy the lifestyle of a king.
1. Muammar Gaddafi - $200 Billion
Muammar Gaddafi has capitalized vast oil reserves for almost four decades. Gadaffi’s extravagant lifestyle can be seen in his house décor. Gadaffi’ children enjoy a private zoo for their comfort.
2. Hosni Mubarak - $70 Billion
Former Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak is said to have made his money through military contracts, kickbacks and legitimate business activities. His fortune is invested in the form of properties all around the globe and is safely deposited in offshore banks.
3. Kim Jong-Il - $5 Billion
North Korean leader is reported to enjoy shark’s fin soup and kept a royal wine cellar full. This dictator has a history of fulfilling his desires irrespective of the consequences. The narcissistic leader placed 34,000 statues of himself all around North Korea.
4. Saddam Hussein - $2 Billion
Saddam Hussein is Iraqi dictator. He loved his palaces which are built in every city of Iraq. His places have mirrored bedrooms, gold toilets, gold toilet paper dispensers and lamps shaped as women.
5. Bashar Al-Assad - $1.5 Billion
Bashar al-Assad is a Syrian President and owns almost 60 to 70 percent of Syria’s assets. His wealth can be determined by seeing the interest of the first lady, Asma in Christian Louboutin heels and Chanel dresses.
6. Ali Bongo Ondimba - $1 Billion
Ali Bongo Ondimba, former President of Gabon, amassed significant wealth, reportedly reaching $1 billion. Son of longtime leader Omar Bongo, Ali governed from 2009 until his 2023 ousting. His family's wealth has drawn international attention and scrutiny.
7. Islam Karimov - $1 Billion
Islam Karimov, the former president of Uzbekistan, who ruled from 1991 until his death in 2016, reportedly had a net worth estimated at around $1 billion. However, his wealth and that of his family have been the subject of speculation and controversy, with concerns about corruption and authoritarian governance during his long tenure.
8. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo - $600 Million
Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, the President of Equatorial Guinea, is reported to have a net worth estimated at around $600 million to $1 billion. His wealth largely stems from the country's vast oil resources, with accusations of corruption surrounding his long-standing rule since 1979.
9. Denis Sassou Nguesso - $380 Million
Denis Sassou Nguesso is the President of the Republic of the Congo, having held office for several terms since 1979. His rule has been marked by controversy, including allegations of corruption and amassing wealth through the country's oil industry. His net worth is reported to be in the hundreds of millions, though precise estimates vary due to the opaque nature of his financial dealings.
10. Robert Mugabe - $10 Million
Robert Mugabe was the longtime leader of Zimbabwe, serving as Prime Minister from 1980 to 1987 and then as President until 2017. A controversial figure, Mugabe was both praised for leading Zimbabwe's independence movement and criticized for his authoritarian rule, human rights abuses, and the country's economic decline under his leadership.
