As one of the most talked-about figures, Sultan of Brunei has built a significant fortune. In this article, we dive deep into the assets and career highlights.
What Is the Sultan of Brunei's net worth?
The Sultan of Brunei, also known as Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, has a net worth of $30 billion. The Sultan of Brunei is the 29th and current Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan of Brunei, as well as the Prime Minister of Brunei. After Queen Elizabeth II, the sultan is the second longest-reigning monarch in history. With his honorary titles, net worth, and astonishing power and control, Bolkiah has made his mark on history, as well as made us all jealous of his lavish and unique lifestyle.
In 1991, he introduced a conservative ideology to Brunei called Melayu Islam Beraja, which presents the monarchy as the defender of the faith. He favors Brunei government democratization and has declared himself President. In 2004, he reopened the Legislative Council, which had been dissolved since 1962. Bolkiah is Head of Religion, and Islam is the official religion of the country. Mosques, prayer halls, and stations were built across the country under his rule. The sultan ruled that Islamic celebrations such as Early Years Celebration Prophet's birthday, Isra and Miraj, and Nuzul Al Quran are to be celebrated on a large scale and that prayers are obligatory on Fridays. In 2014, Bolkiah advocated the adoption of Islamic sharia penalties, including that adultery is punishable with death by stoning. Hassanal Bolkiah also banned celebrations of Christmas in 2015, including wearing any item of clothing that resembled Santa Claus. However, the ban only affects local Muslims, and Christians are still allowed to celebrate Christmas. He also put in place a ban on Christmas decorations in public places.
Bolkiah became the Sultan of Brunei (a tiny sultanate on the island of Borneo) Darussalam when he was just 15 years old, on October 5, 1967, after his father abdicated the throne. When Bolkiah took over from his father, Brunei was already ridiculously wealthy thanks to its rich oil resources.
The Sultan of Brunei was born on July 15, 1946, in Istana Darussalam, Brunei Town, as Pengiran Muda Mahkota (Crown Prince) Hassanal Bolkiah; his full official title is Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. He received his high school education at Victoria Institution in Kuala Lumpur and graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom in 1967.
He was coronated on August 1, 1968, and was made Head of State of Brunei and knighted by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. As Sultan, he has complete and total authority. As if that wasn't satisfying enough, he is the Prime Minister of Brunei and head of government as well. He also holds the positions of both Minister of Defence and Minister of Finance. As Minister of Defence, he is, therefore, the Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armond Forces, an Honorary General in the British and Indonesian armed forces, and an Honorary Admiral in the Royal Navy. The sultan also appointed himself as Inspector General of Police (IGP) of the Royal Brunei Police Force. Incidentally, he also has many honorary doctorates from universities, including the National University of Singapore, and the University of Oxford, England, UK.
Through This combination of factors – control over lucrative natural resources, a small population over which to distribute the wealth, and prudent financial management – has propelled the Sultan of Brunei into the ranks of the world's wealthiest individuals. The Sultan of Brunei owes his immense wealth primarily to Brunei's abundant oil and natural gas reserves. Originally discovered in 1929, these resources came under the royal family's control when Brunei gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1984. The sultanate's vast hydrocarbon wealth, managed largely through the state-owned Brunei Shell Petroleum, has been a golden goose for the tiny nation of less than 500,000 people.
Bolkiah's fortune has been further amplified by conservative fiscal policies and strategic global investments managed by the Brunei Investment Agency. The Brunei Investment Agency has more than $70 billion known assets under management. The Brunei Investment Agency owns The Beverly Hills Hotel, the Hotel Bel-Air, The Dorchester (London) and several other significant hotels around the world.
Ultimately, Sultan of Brunei's financial journey is a testament to their success.
Disclaimer: All net worth figures are estimates based on public data.
