The Richest World Leaders Are Even Richer Than You Thought

The World's Richest Leaders Are Even Richer Than You Thought

Ever wondered just how rich the richest world leaders really are? To put it in perspective, President Obama may be worth several million dollars, but he does not even come close to some of his contemporaries.

Based on available data, HuffPost World has compiled a list of some of the richest world leaders currently in power. The roster includes a mixture of kings, presidents, sultans and queens. Most are male (as the world's political leaders tend to be, too). They skew to the Middle East, and their wealth generally comes from family connections, profitable investments and in some cases, corrupt rule. Unsurprisingly, many of their countries' citizens lead much, much humbler lives.

For comparison, each country's GDP per capita is juxtaposed with a leader's personal net worth, just to show how different life is for the haves and have-nots.

Meet some of the world's richest world leaders:

1
Vladimir Putin, President of Russia
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Putin is believed to be worth between $40 and $70 billion, Bloomberg notes.

GDP per capita: $14,000

Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a ceremony to hand over the diplomatic credentials at the Kremlin in Moscow, on October 23, 2013. (MAXIM SHEMETOV/AFP/Getty Images)
2
Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand
AP

Forbes estimates the king's net wealth exceeds $30 billion.

GDP per capita: $4,400

In this Dec. 5, 2011 file photo, Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej is pushed on a wheel-chair while leaving Siriraj hospital to the Grand Palace for a ceremony celebrating his birthday in Bangkok, Thailand. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)
3
Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei
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The Sultan of Brunei is worth an estimated $20 billion, according to Forbes.

GDP per capita: $41,000

H.M. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam arrives at the 9th World Islamic Economic Forum at ExCel on October 29, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images for 9th World Islamic Economic Forum)
4
Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud, King of Saudi Arabia
AP

Forbes notes that the Saudi king owns an estimated $18 billion.

GDP per capita: $21,000

In this March 24, 2009 file photo, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia waves to members of the Saudi Shura Council in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
5
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, President of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi
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Forbes reports that al-Nahyan is worth an estimated $15 billion.

GDP per capita: $40,000

Emirati President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan leaves 10 Downing Street in Central London on May 1, 2013 following a meeting with Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron. (ANDREW COWIE/AFP/Getty Images)
6
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, PM and VP of the UAE and ruler of Dubai
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The emir of Dubai's fortune is believed to exceed $4 billion, Forbes writes.

GDP per capita: $16,000

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al-Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, arrives to attend the 10 million-dollar Dubai World Cup, the world's richest horse race, at the Meydan race track in the Gulf emirate on March 30, 2013.(MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/Getty Images)
7
Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechstenstein
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Forbes estimates the prince's fortune at $5 billion.

GDP per capita: $135,000

Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein attends the wedding ceremony of Prince Guillaume Of Luxembourg and Princess Stephanie of Luxembourg at the Cathedral of our Lady of Luxembourg on October 20, 2012 in Luxembourg, Luxembourg. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
8
Kim Jong Un, Leader of North Korea
AP

According to the South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo, Kim Jong Un has stored some $4 to 5 billion in bank accounts in other people's names around the world. The newspaper refers to reports by South Korea's intelligence services for its account.

GDP per capita: $1,800

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrives at the cemeteries of fallen fighters of the Korean People's Army (KPA) on Thursday, July 25, 2013 in Pyongyang, North Korea as part of ceremonies marking the 60th anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended hostilities on the Korean peninsula. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
9
Mohammed VI, King of Morocco
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The king of Morocco is believed to be worth $2.5 billion, Forbes also notes.

GDP per capita: $3,000

Moroccan King Mohammed VI attends the inauguration of an exhibition at the National Library in Rabat on July 16,2013. (FADEL SENNA/AFP/Getty Images)
10
Sebastian Pinera, President of Chile
Getty Images

Pinera is the 11th richest person in Chile, worth an estimated $2.5 billion.

GDP per capita: $15,000

Chilean President, Sebastian Pinera participates in a military parade in Santiago on September 19, 2013, on the day of the 203rd anniversary of Chile's independence. (CLAUDIO SANTANA/AFP/Getty Images)
11
Albert II, Prince of Monaco
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The Monegask prince owns an estimated $1 billion, Forbes calculates.

GDP per capita: $163,000

IOC Member Prince Albert II of Monaco looks on during the 125th IOC Session - IOC Presidential Election at the Hilton Hotel on on September 10, 2013 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
12
Qaboos bin Said, Sultan of Oman
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The sultan is estimated to own $700 million, Forbes notes.

GDP per capita: $23,700

Oman's leader Sultan Qaboos bin Said attends the third day of celebrations marking 40 years since he took the throne at Midan al-Fath Stadium in Muscat on December 1, 2010. (MOHAMMED MAHJOUB/AFP/Getty Images)
13
Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of Equatorial Guinea
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CNN reports via Forbes that Mbasogo is believed to be worth $600 million.

GDP per capita: $24,000

Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema walks on the pitch on February 12, 2012 before the start of the final match of the 2012 African Cup of Nations (CAN 2012) opposing Zambia to Ivory Coat at the stade de l'Amitie in Libreville. (ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP/Getty Images)
14
Bashar Assad, President of Syria
AP

Analysts have put Assad's fortune between $500 million and $1.5 billion, CNBC reports.

GDP per capita: $3,000

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian President Bashar Assad speaks during an interview with the German magazine Der Spiegel, in Damascus, Syria, Monday, Oct. 7, 2013. (AP Photo/SANA)
15
Elizabeth II, Queen of England
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The Queen's fortune is estimated at $450 million, Forbes reports.

GDP per capita: $38,000

Queen Elizabeth II visits Ebony Horse Club & Community Riding Centre in Brixton during a joint visit with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall on October 29, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
16
Sabah IV al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, Emir of Kuwait
AP

The emir's fortune is believed to be $350 million.

GDP per capita: $56,000

The Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah reviews an honor guard during the welcoming ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Wednesday, March 21, 2012. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye,Pool)
17
Mswati III, King of Swaziland
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Swaziland's king is believed to own $100 million, Forbes notes.

GDP per capita: $3,000

Swaziland's King Mswati III looks on at the opening ceremony of the 31st Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit on August 17, 2011 in Luanda. (STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP/Getty Images)
18
Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan
AP

Azarbaijan's president Ilham Alyev and his wife have refused to declare their assets, but their fortune is estimated to include tens of millions of dollars, Eurasianet reports. The president's children hold an estimated $75 million.

GDP per capita: $7,000

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev attends the summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States in Minsk, Belarus, Friday, Oct. 25, 2013. CIS includes eleven former Soviet nations. (AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Mikhail Klimentyev, Presidential Press Service)

Editor's Note: Sonia Gandhi and the former emir of Qatar Hamid bin Khalifa al-Thani have been removed from this list. Gandhi was originally included based on a listing on a third party site which was subsequently called into question. Our editors have been unable to verify the amount, removed the link, and regret any confusion. Qatar's emir was succeeded by his son Tamim in 2013.

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