The Lavish Lifestyles of Dictators Around the World
There is a lot of money in this world, but it seems a select few have their hands on a disproportionate amount. While their people struggle, some of the world’s leaders hoard their cash or choose to spend it in overly extravagant ways. Here is a glimpse into the extravagant lives that they lead.
Kim Jong-Il (North Korea)
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It’s safe to say our favorite little ball of paranoia in North Korea would top any list of dictators, in any category, but when it comes to excessive spending, he earns his keep. Kim Jong-il certainly appreciates his possessions with roughly $5 billion Dollars in the bank, 17 residencies, hundreds of cars and is believed to spend over $650,000 a year on Hennessy alone. All that said, it’s amazing he has time for his collection of young females known as the “pleasure brigade.”
Mobuto Sese Seko (Zaire)
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Partially known as the former president of Zaire, Mobuto Sese Seko’s most notable achievements were in his spending. Boasting a bank account equivalent to his county’s debt-load, Seko managed a collection of palaces, yachts and private jets that rivaled any. While the average citizen of Zaire lives on $150 a year, his second wife had more than 1,000 dresses in her wardrobe and somehow there was still petty-cash leftover to convert his billion Dollar mansion to model a Chinese pagoda.
Ferdinand Marcos (Philippines)
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Amassing billions of Dollars in overseas accounts by means of misappropriated funds, Ferdinand Marcos and his wife Imelda had a knack for excess. While most of his citizens struggled to simply feed themselves, Marcos adorned his $61 million Dollar presidential palace with original paintings by Michelangelo and Botticelli and 17 priceless chandeliers in the reception room alone. It is no wonder that the royal couple fled to avoid an angry mob – unfortunately, leaving behind Imelda’s 888 handbags and 1,060 pairs of shoes.
Idi Amin (Uganda)
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Known cannibal and self-proclaimed “Lord of All the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Sea,” Idi Amin spent millions maintaining a royal lifestyle while his people suffered greatly. With a reported fortune of over $500 million, his gaudy palace and wardrobe were extensive and well-stocked. Though most of his money must have been spent maintaining his 30 mistresses, five wives and at least 43 children, Amin found the funds for his regularly imported oranges.
Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe)
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President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace are a spending duo with much to show for it. After asking other countries for $2 billion for economic rescue, the couple spent $250,000 on a birthday party, purchased a $40 million mansion in China and decorated it with multiple Vietnamese marble statues worth over $50,000 each. When they’re not roughing it at their mansion, the couple is infamous for quick shopping sprees in Paris, spending 75,000 Euros in less than two hours time – adding to Grace’s collection of already 3,000+ pairs of shoes.
Jean-Bédel Bokassa (Central African Republic)
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Most dictators bother to hide their fortunes in foreign accounts for sake of discreet spending but Jean-Bédel Bokassa made his billions public under the notion that it would make the country look better. After naming himself the emperor of the Central African Republic, Bokassa nearly bankrupted his own country after crowning himself with $5 million worth of diamonds and spending $20 million on a two-day coronation ceremony that showcased 100 limousines, 130 thoroughbred horses, a 120 piece orchestra and over 65,000 bottles of champagne served by authentic waiters imported from Paris.
Suharto (Indonesia)
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A banking tycoon turned president and simply known as Suharto, he successfully embezzled the largest fortune of any other leader in history. Amounting a worth of a reported $15 billion, the royal family was widely known for their far-from-frugal practices. Aside from the multiple estates accumulated, his children showed the least amount of discretion as his son bought a majority stake in Lamborghini and his daughter spent over $100,000 on a single shopping spree in the US.
Mohammed Reza Pahlavi (Persia)
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Being the Shah of Persia has its obligations; you must throw the biggest anniversary party the world has ever seen. On the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian monarchy, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi (aka King of Kings and Sun of the Aryans) spent over $100 million on the elaborate anniversary festivities. Conveniently placed next to the poor villages, the party took place under a 160-acre tent and served delicacies such as breast of peacock. Aside from being able to throw a party for the ages, his extensive collection of custom sports cars was casually showcased at the National Car Museum of Iran – no big deal.
Saparmurat Niyazov (Turkmenistan)
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Considered the Father of all Turkmen, Saparmurat Niyazov boasted a modest fortune of over 3 billion Euros in offshore accounts. With no shortage of ego and money to match, he immortalized himself with a 6 million Euro gold-plated statue of himself that rotated in the center of the country’s capital. Lastly, realizing that money is power, Niyazov used his Dollar-centric clout to execute a personal agenda that included the renaming of the month of January after himself and banning beards in general. Who said money can’t buy everything?
Gabbar Gayyoom (Maldives)
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Racking up nearly $14 million in personal expenses per year, Maldives’ dictator Gabbar Gayyoom is reported to account for nearly twenty percent of the county’s total annual expenditures – one man spending one-fifth of an entire nation’s money. Amounting in the form of a $7.5 million luxury yacht, a $25 million jet airplane and the purchase of the island “Aarah” for personal use, it is no surprise that Gayyoom was ousted from power in November of 2008 by popular demand.
Teodoro Obiang Nguema (Equatorial Guinea)
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For someone with the title of president of a nation, Teodoro Obiang Nguema allegedly spends most of his time vacationing elsewhere in Paris, London and Rio de Janeiro. In addition, he own multiple homes in South Africa and Malibu with a combined worth of $50 million. Nguema was also reported to have blown $10 million in a single weekend in South Africa on champagne, property upgrades and multiple luxury cars including a couple of Bentleys and a Lamborghini.
Than Shwe (Burma)
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Burma is well known as a widely poverty stricken country but Army Major Than Shwe seems to be living a cut above the rest. Though the extent of his wealth is kept mostly secret, his daughter’s recent wedding was reported to be offensively extravagant; overtly ornate and gold clad. It is reported that the young couple was given $50 million in elaborate gifts ranging from cars to houses – quite a haul from such a poor nation.
Crown Prince Abdullah (Saudi Arabia)
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With so much greed in the world, it is worth noting a dictator with a beating heart. Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has an estimated fortune of $19 billion and is listed among the top 5 richest royals in the world. Politics aside, he is unique in that he has funded many amazing things with his money such as paying for a surgery to separate two Polish conjoined twins and the construction of libraries. He has also donated $60 million to aid in the Sichuan Earthquake in China and another $10 billion whopper to the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in his own country.
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