10 Wealthiest Historical Figures That Ever Lived
2. The Rothschild Family - £205.75 Billion
Although technically not a single individual, the wealth, power and influence of the Rothschild banking family is unmatched in human history, and it all began with one man. Mayer Amschel Rothschild was a German Jew who essentially created what would become the modern international finance industry. He and his associates controlled the flow of money between the ruling families of Europe. The extravagant funds he accrued were passed on to his descendants, who in turn carried on the family business in international finance.
Nathan Mayer Rotschild - one of Mayer Amschel Rothschilds sons - was the head of the British line of the Rothschild family, operating out of London. Other branches of the family exist in Austria, Germany, and France.