Daily Advent Nigeria

Which country has the World’s richest politicians? Here are 5 from the top 20

Which country has the World’s richest politicians? Here are 5 from the top 20
By Investing.com via The Associated Press – Politicians are known for their charm and their ability to work the system. We typically have a very love-hate relationship with our leaders, but one thing’s for sure: some of them are really, really rich. Richer than they might want you to know.Many politicians gain their wealth in business before getting into politics. Others use their political connections to make them money. Some are heirs or heiresses before they ever enter office. What follows are some of the wealthiest politicians in the world – and the stories of how they made so, so much money.

Ibrahim Babangida

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Net worth: $50B
Country: Nigeria
Position: Former President

Nigeria’s former President Ibrahim Babangida was a military man credited with leading the coup against his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari. He then streamlined Nigeria’s wealth (and his own) through oil, economic reform and international partnerships. Babangida himself owns some of the continent’s most expensive real estate. His rise through Nigeria’s army, culminating in his reign as the Chief of Army, is a highlight of his military career.

Babangida’s wealth is second to none in his home country of Nigeria. Though considered by some to be a controversial leader, it’s tough to argue with his business tactics given his massive wealth. Babangida personally owns over half of the London-based Fruitex International Limited corporation. He also owns nearly a quarter of Nigeria’s second-largest telecom company, Globacam.

Meg Whitman

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Net worth: $2.2B
Country: U.S.
Position: Former California Republican Gubernatorial Candidate

Meg Whitman was born in Cold Spring Harbor, New York. While her shot at California’s gubernatorial race didn’t work out (running as a Republican there rarely does), Whitman remains involved in politics. She received her education from Harvard and Princeton. But she made her fortune as an executive in the Walt Disney Company – and as one of the heads of Hewlett-Packard.

In 2008, she was considered a front-runner as the first female candidate for U.S. president. In the end, she decided not to run. Whitman is a well-known conservative, though her views have changed over time. She is now more liberal socially. Whitman was recently awarded an honorary doctorate degree from Carnegie Mellon University. She currently ranks in as California’s fifth-wealthiest woman. If she ever decides to run for office again, this will undoubtedly give her quite an edge.

Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun

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Net worth: $30B
Country: Thailand
Position: King

Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun is the king of Thailand. He inherited the throne and fortune from his father, Bhumibol Adulyadej (his mother is an actual queen: Queen Sikrit). His father passed away in October of 2016, and a distraught Maha needed more time to mourn before taking up his crown.

He ascended to the throne on December 1, 2016. As customary, his father was cremated ten months later. When Maha’s coronation takes place in 2019 he will become the Chakri dynasty’s tenth monarch. He is also one of the oldest princes to assume the throne, becoming king at age 64. In addition to being a king, he is also an ordained monk. Maha’s ordaining took place at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Olivier Dassault

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Net worth: $16.3B
Country: France
Position: National Assembly Deputy

Olivier Dassault is the son of renowned businessman Serge Dassault, making him a key part of a massive family business. After inheriting his father’s mantle, he became president of Dassault Communications. But his many financial projects also include the Journal des Finances and Socpresse. As a politician, he’s a prominent member of France’s Republican party.

Dassault served as a combat engineer in the French Air Force in 1974. He also has a doctorate degree in mathematics, which he got from the air force academy. He became a deputy in 2002 on a UMP ticket. He was then reelected to the position in 2007. Quite the Renaissance man, Dassault also pursues photography and music. His compositions were even been used in iconic French films during the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. Not many others on this list can boast something like that!

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan

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Net worth: $23B
Country: UAE
Position: President

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the UAE and Supreme Commander of the Union Defence Force. After he succeeded his father as the Emir of Abu Dhabi, he automatically became president the very next day.

Khalifa made his money from an investment group, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, which has a lot of holdings throughout the world. Overall, the al Nahyan family as a collective has about $150 billion. Recently, the Burj Dubai (aka: the world’s tallest structure) was renamed after Khalifa. It is now called Burj Khalifa. As if this weren’t enough, Khalifa also commissioned a huge luxury yacht. Most estimate it will cost between $400 and $600 million, making it the largest in the world.