World’s Richest Monarch? THIS Sultan Paid Michael Jackson $17 Million For 3 Live Shows, Owns Luxurious Cars, Palace, Married Thrice; He Is....

Brunei, once a vast empire spanning the Philippines and parts of Malaysia, became a British protectorate for over a century before gaining independence in 1984. The Sultanate has been ruled by the Bolkiah dynasty for over 600 years. 

Brunei discovered oil in 1929, with over 1.3 billion barrels produced to date, as per reports. Once managed by Shell, the oil wealth now directly funds the Sultan's coffers, making the nation one of the richest in the world. 

According to reports, Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah lives in a $1.4 billion palace with 1,788 rooms, 257 bathrooms, five swimming pools, a banquet hall for 5,000 guests, and rooms adorned with gold. 

Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah owns 600 Rolls-Royces, 450 Ferraris, and 380 Bentleys reportedly. His private jet, a Boeing 747, features a golden sink worth $1.2 million. His younger brother once spent $747,000 daily for 10 years, gifting $17 billion to family and friends. 

In 1996, the Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah celebrated his 50th birthday with a two-week extravaganza, building a stadium for the occasion. He paid Michael Jackson $17 million for three performances and hosted a private dinner for 3,000 guests, gifting real gold medals to many, as per reports.

 

According to reports, the Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah funds healthcare, education, and social services for Brunei's citizens, regularly increasing civil servants' salaries to ensure their well-being.

 

Despite introducing strict Sharia law in 2019, Brunei remains unique in its cultural mix. Although they don’t speak Arabic, the nation has the ambience of an Arab state. In a historic visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Brunei. (Image Credit: File Photo)