The Top 16 Richest World Leaders and Their Net Worth

It’s no surprise that many world leaders are incredibly rich. Some are born into it. Some earn it. Some steal it. Many of the world’s richest leaders are monarchs and several hail from oil-producing nations. Ranking them by net worth isn’t easy. Most don’t release financial statements, so we’re left guessing. Our list is based on numbers gathered by Forbes Magazine and other sources. At the end of the day, all the people on our list have considerable wealth, proving once again that it’s good to be the king (or queen).

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Vladimir Putin, President of Russia

There's a big debate over how much Russian President Vladimir Putin is worth. Estimates range from US$40 to $200 billion – if rumours about his stake in various Russian companies are true. Putin, however, denies it. "It's just chitchat, nonsense, nothing to discuss," he told the AP. "They picked it out of their noses and smeared it on their pieces of paper."

Russia is one of the countries with the most billionaires.

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Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei

Hassanal Bolkiah is the Sultan of Brunei and its prime minister. He has ruled over this small state in Southeast Asia since 1967. His net worth is said to be around US$20 billion.

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Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, UAE President and ruler of Abu Dhabi

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Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, UAE President and ruler of Abu Dhabi

Another Middle Eastern leader to make the list is Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates and the ruler of Abu Dhabi. In power since 2004, his fortune is estimated at US$23 billion.

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Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein

Hans-Adam II is tiny Liechtenstein's head of state. Forbes says he's worth about US$3.5 billion.

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Kim Jong-un, Leader of North Korea

Estimates about the wealth of North Korea's Kim Jong-un vary, but it is claimed that he has as much as US$5 billion hidden away in secret bank accounts around the world.

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, PM and VP of the UAE & ruler of Dubai

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, PM and VP of the UAE & ruler of Dubai

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum is the Prime Minister and Vice-President of the United Arab Emirates. He is also Dubai's constitutional monarch. His net worth is said to be over US$18 billion.

Dubai is also home to one of the best airports in the world.

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Sebastian Pinera, President of Chile

Sebastian Pinera is currently Chile's president, but only until March as he did not stand for re-election. His fortune is estimated at US$2.8 billion.

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Mohammed VI, King of Morocco

Morocco's King, Mohammed VI, is worth around US$5.7 billion. He has ruled Morocco since 1999.

Morocco is consistently ranked as one of the world's best travel bargains.

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Bashar al-Assad, President of Syria

Despite the ongoing civil war that is ripping apart Syria, President Bashar al-Assad has stubbornly clung on to power. He became president in 2000 following the death of his father. Sources say Assad has amassed a personal fortune of as much as US$1.5 billion.

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Albert II, Prince of Monaco

Prince Albert II has ruled the Principality of Monaco since 2005. His net worth is estimated at US$1 billion, mostly from land holdings in Monaco and France.

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Qaboos bin Said, Sultan of Oman

Qaboos bin Said, the Sultan of Oman, has ruled the Arab state since 1970 when he overthrew his father in a coup. He is estimated to be worth US$700 million.

Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of Equatorial Guinea

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Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of Equatorial Guinea

Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has been the president of the African nation of Equatorial Guinea since 1970. According to Forbes, he is worth about US$600 million.

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Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan

Ilham Aliyev has ruled the former-Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan since 2003. The authoritarian leader is worth about US$500 million.

Azerbaijan is one of the cheapest countries on the planet to live in.

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Elizabeth II, Queen of England

The Queen is not only on our money, she has lots of it. Although it was recently reported that her household reserves are down to about US$1.6 million, she still is worth about about US$550 million.

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Sheikh Sabah IV al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, Emir of Kuwait

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Sheikh Sabah IV al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, Emir of Kuwait

Sheikh Sabah IV al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah has ruled Kuwait since 2006. His fortune is estimated at US$450 million.

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Mswati III, King of Swaziland

Swaziland's King Mswati III has ruled the small African nation since 1986 when he became king at the tender age of 18. He's worth at least US$100 million and has 15 wives.