Who is the richest man in history?

Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos… modern billionaires are in a league of their own. We’re often told that wealth comes from hustle, long hours, and smart decisions. But once you reach billionaire level we’re no longer talking about salaries, bonuses, or promotions.

Take Jeff Bezos, for example. As of April 2025, Forbes estimated his fortune at around $236 billion. For comparison, the median salary in the U.S. is about $60,000 a year. So how long would the average American have to work to earn Bezos-level wealth? The answer: more than 3 million years and that’s assuming they nev...