Kings, Queens & Dictators. (cover story)

Navigation: Main page

Author: von Zeppelin, CristinaFass, AllisonHessel, EvanKroll, LuisaSerafin, TatianaSwibel, Matthew

The Fortunes Of …

What do Fidel Castro and Monaco's Prince Albert have in common? Lofty positions and vast fortunes. Forbes again estimates some of the world's richest rulers' net worths. It's a diverse group: a British queen, an African dictator and a few Middle Eastern potentates. Entrepreneurs they're not. Their fortunes, often shared with families, are largely derived from inheritances or their positions of power. The lines often blur between what is owned by the country and what is owned by the individual. For instance, we figure Dubai's Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum gets substantial wealth from his government's stake in banks, aluminum and real estate companies. Even stickier: proving a dictator controls funds and uses them for personal gain--not for the country's benefit. Rest assured we tried to reach them. For more information, go to forbes.com/royals.

King/Saudi Arabia
$21 billion
Age: 82

Former crown prince became sixth King of Saudi Arabia in August 2005 after King Fahd died. Once lived with Bedouin tribes. Avid horseman, breeds Arabian horses.

Sultan/Brunei
$20 billion
Age: 59

Heir to an unbroken 600-year-old Muslim dynasty has benefited from nation's petroleum and gas fields. Palace said to have 1,788 rooms.

President/UAE
$19 billion
Age: 58

Took over as ruler of Abu Dhabi and elected president of United Arab Emirates in November 2004 after his father's death. Chairs Abu Dhabi's Supreme Petroleum Council.

Ruler/Dubai
$14 billion
Age: 56

Credited with transforming Dubai into economic powerhouse. Became ruler upon brother's death in January. Shares fortune with two brothers.

Prince/Liechtenstein
$4 billion
Age: 61

Heads family fortune that goes back almost nine centuries and includes palaces, artwork, a bank, extensive land in Austria and a U.S. producer of hybrid rice.

Prince/Monaco
$1 billion
Age: 48

Playboy prince became ruler of this tiny principality after his father's death last year. Also inherited interests in real estate, art and Monte Carlo's casino. Made news for fathering a child out of wedlock.

President/Cuba
$900 million
Age: 79

Comandante since 1959. FORBES estimates his fortune based on control over web of state-owned companies. Castro claims he has zero net worth; former Cuban officials living in U.S. assert that he has long skimmed profits.

President/Equatorial Guinea
$600 million
Age: 63

Obiang and his government put up to $700 million in U.S.' Riggs Bank, which was fined for not reporting possible money laundering. Obiang still controls the money but denies it's his personally.

Queen/U.K.
$500 million
Age: 80

Became Queen at age 25. Holdings include estates in Scotland and England, fine art, gems, antiques and a stamp collection built by her grandfather. Doesn't count Buckingham Palace or crown jewels.

Queen/Netherlands
$270 million
Age: 68

With her family, possesses a fortune that includes real estate, antiques and investments in companies like ABN AMRO and Royal Dutch Shell.

PHOTO (COLOR)

PHOTO (COLOR)

PHOTO (COLOR)

PHOTO (COLOR)

PHOTO (COLOR)

PHOTO (COLOR)

PHOTO (COLOR)

PHOTO (COLOR)

PHOTO (COLOR)

PHOTO (COLOR)

~~~~~~~~

By Cristina von Zeppelin; Allison Fass; Evan Hessel; Luisa Kroll; Tatiana Serafin and Matthew Swibel