15 Things You Didn't Know About Sultan Of Brunei (Hassanal Bolkiah)

Summary

The video delves into the opulent life of Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei, known for his vast wealth and numerous titles. From spending over $21,000 on a haircut to his $20 billion net worth growing by $100 per second, the Sultan's extravagance knows no bounds. His Istana Nurul Iman palace, the world's largest residential space, and a fleet of luxury cars worth $5 billion are just the tip of the iceberg. The video also highlights his lavish 50th birthday party and his brother's notorious spending habits, painting a picture of unparalleled luxury.

Takeaways

• 👑 The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, became the 29th Sultan at the age of 21 and holds numerous titles including Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.
• 🗺️ Despite being a small country, Brunei is the fifth wealthiest nation in the world, thanks to its vast oil reserves which provide free healthcare and education to its citizens.
• 💇‍♂️ The Sultan spends over $21,000 per haircut, flying his favorite hairstylist first class from London and providing luxurious accommodations.
• 💰 His wealth increases by approximately $100 every second, amounting to over $3 billion a year, with a net worth around $20 billion.
• 🏰 The Istana Nurul Iman palace, the largest residential space in the world, is home to the Sultan and covers over 2 million square feet.
• 👸 The Sultan has been married three times, including to a flight attendant and a TV news anchor, and has five sons and seven daughters.
• 🛩 The Sultan owns one of the world's most expensive private jets, a Boeing 747-430 valued at $233 million, complete with gold fixtures and a horse stable.
• 🎤 He paid Michael Jackson $17 million to perform at his 50th birthday and has hosted other celebrities like Whitney Houston, Elton John, and Tina Turner.
• 🏇 A polo enthusiast, the Sultan owns 200 polo ponies and has imported players from Argentina to compete against him.
• 🛍️ His brother, Prince Jefri Bolkiah, spent an average of $747,000 a day for ten years and was accused of misappropriating state funds.
• 🚗 The Sultan's car collection is worth an estimated $5 billion, featuring over 5,000 luxury and supercars, including three McLaren F1s and numerous Rolls Royces.
• 🎉 For his 50th birthday, the Sultan spent $27 million on a two-week celebration, serving fine champagne and beluga caviar to 3,000 guests, each receiving a gold medal as a party favor.

Q & A

Who is Hasanul Bolkiah, also known as the Sultan of Brunei?

Hasanul Bolkiah is the 29th Sultan of Brunei, who became the ruler at the age of 21 in 1967 when his father abdicated the throne. He is also known by many titles, including Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, Minister of Finance, and supreme commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.

What is the size and wealth of Brunei in comparison to other nations?

Brunei is a small country about the size of the state of Delaware with a population of around 415,000. Despite its size, it is the fifth wealthiest nation in the world due to its vast oil reserves, which provide a source of wealth allowing its citizens to enjoy free healthcare and education without paying taxes.

How much does the Sultan of Brunei spend on a single haircut?

The Sultan spends over $21,000 on a single haircut, which includes flying his favorite hairstylist, Kenwood S2, first class from London, providing him with top-of-the-line accommodations and food, and paying him a few thousand dollars for the service.

How rapidly does the Sultan of Brunei's wealth increase?

The Sultan's wealth is estimated to increase by about $100 every second due to oil earnings and investments, which amounts to more than $3 billion a year.

What is the significance of the Istana Nurul Iman Palace?

The Istana Nurul Iman Palace is the largest residential space in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records, with over 2 million square feet of floor space. It is also the largest single-family residence ever built, completed in 1984 at a cost of $1.4 billion.

What is the marital history of the Sultan of Brunei?

The Sultan has been married three times, first to his first cousin, Queen Sully Ha, then to a former flight attendant, Aisha Maryam, and later to a Malaysian TV news anchor, As Riina's Mazar Hakim. He has had five sons and seven daughters with his three wives.

What is the value and features of the Sultan's Boeing 747-430 private jet?

The Sultan's Boeing 747-430 private jet is valued at around $233 million and features solid gold washbasins, a gold throttle lever in the cockpit, 100% silk carpets, and a stable for horses. The Sultan is also known to pilot the jet himself.

How much did the Sultan pay Michael Jackson to perform at his 50th birthday?

The Sultan paid Michael Jackson a total of $17 million to perform three concerts at his 50th birthday celebration.

What is the Sultan's favorite hobby and how does he pursue it?

The Sultan's favorite hobby is playing polo. He owns 200 polo ponies and brings in players from Argentina to play against him. The ponies are kept in a large, lush, air-conditioned stable on his property.

How much did the Sultan's brother, Prince Jeffrey, spend on average per day for ten years?

Prince Jeffrey, the Sultan's brother, is known to have spent an average of $747,000 a day for ten years, which does not include the $17 billion in gifts given to family and friends.

What is the current status of the Sultan's wealth in comparison to Bill Gates?

The Sultan was the richest man in the world throughout the 1980s and early 90s but was overtaken by Bill Gates in 1995. He has since held the title of the wealthiest monarch in the world after the death of the King of Thailand in 2016.

What is the estimated value and composition of the Sultan's car collection?

The Sultan owns over 5,000 cars with an estimated value of $5 billion. His collection includes luxury brands such as McLaren F1s, Bugatti Veyron, Mercedes-Benz, BMWs, Rolls Royces, Bentleys, Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and Jaguars.

How large is the Sultan's entourage when he travels?

The Sultan is known to travel with an entourage of over 100 people, and he enjoys going on shopping sprees, often clearing out the inventories of high-end stores.

What is the potential future status of the Sultan's eldest son, Prince Almaddy Bella?

Prince Almaddy Bella, the eldest son of the Sultan, is the Crown Prince of Brunei and stands to inherit both the throne and his father's wealth. If the Sultan's wealth continues to grow at the current rate, it is expected that the prince will become the world's first trillionaire.

What was the contribution of the Sultan and his brother to Rolls Royce's income from 1994 to 1997?

The Sultan and his brother were responsible for roughly half of Rolls Royce's income during 1994 to 1997, buying 70 to 75 cars a year and often paying several times the listing price for customized models.

What are some of the features of the Sultan's palace in terms of size and amenities?

The Sultan's palace has 1788 rooms, 17 floors, 257 bathrooms, a mosque, five swimming pools, a 110-car garage, and a banquet hall that can hold 5,000 guests. It also has 564 chandeliers, 18 elevators, 44 stairwells, and uses 51,000 light bulbs.

How much did the Sultan spend on his 50th birthday party and what were some of the festivities?

The Sultan spent approximately $27 million on his 50th birthday party in 1996, which included a two-week celebration, a performance by Michael Jackson, a guest list of three thousand, and each guest received a gold medal as a party favor.

What is an interesting anecdote about the Sultan's love for polo?

While playing polo with Prince Charles, the Sultan had his polo shoes delivered to the palace field by helicopter, showcasing his passion for the sport and his penchant for extravagance.