So, picture this: it’s a Tuesday afternoon in Riyadh, and you’re flipping through Twitter/X. Suddenly, a video pops up—a Saudi prince lands in London, and his crew unloads literally dozens of Louis Vuitton trunks, a customized Rolls-Royce, and what looks like a portable sauna. You squint at the screen. How much money does this guy have? That’s the question that’s been buzzing in the back of my brain (and probably yours, too) for years.
Well, buckle up, because the Saudi royal family’s net worth is one of those numbers that feels made up—and then you realize it’s not. We’re talking about a clan that doesn’t just have “f* you” money; they have “buy your country’s entire gold reserve” money. But here’s the tricky part: no one—and I mean no one—actually knows the exact figure. It’s like asking a dragon how much it’s worth while it’s sitting on a mountain of gold. You get a rough idea, but the dragon isn’t handing you the receipt.
Let’s start with the most obvious clue: the Al Saud family’s personal wealth. Rumors peg the entire extended family—thousands of princes, princesses, and cousins—at anywhere from $1 trillion to $2 trillion. Yeah, you read that right. Trillion with a T. That’s more than the GDP of most countries on earth. But here’s the kicker: most of that isn’t in cash. It’s in land, palaces, private jets, and art collections so vast they’d make the Louvre jealous.
Must Read
But if you want a concrete number, look to the big boss: King Salman (the current ruler, age 88 and still going strong). His personal fortune is estimated at around $18 billion. Not too shabby for a guy whose job comes with a crown, right? But wait—his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS for short), is the real spender. MBS bought a $500 million yacht and a $300 million French chateau. That’s not wealth; that’s a lifestyle statement.
Where Does All That Money Come From?
Simple: oil. Saudi Arabia sits on nearly 20% of the world’s proven oil reserves. The state-owned company, Saudi Aramco, is worth about $2 trillion—and guess who owns it? You guessed it, the royal family. They don’t hold every share, but they control the tap. And when you control the tap, you siphon off a nice “management fee.” Nom, nom, nom.
Inside the Richest Royal Family in the World | House of Saud's Billion
But don’t think they just park it in a savings account. Oh no. The Saudi royals have massive global investment portfolios. Through the Public Investment Fund (PIF), they’ve bought stakes in Uber, Tesla, and even Newcastle United FC. So, basically, when you order a ride or watch a Premier League game, you’re giving a little high-five to a prince sipping tea in a gold-plated palace.
The “Mic Drop” Wealth Items
Let’s get specific, because I know you want the juicy stuff. Prince Alwaleed bin Talal—the “Warren Buffett of Saudi Arabia”—is worth about $20 billion on paper. He owns a 747 with a throne in it. A throne. On a plane. That’s not a flex; that’s a full-blown status broadcast. Then there’s Prince Sultan bin Mohammed, whose yacht fleet cost more than the GDP of some small islands. You see where this is going, right?
Inside the Trillionaire Life of Saudi Arabia’s Richest Kings - YouTube
But here’s the irony: the family’s worth is shockingly opaque. They don’t file public taxes like you or me. Their wealth is hidden behind shell companies, family trusts, and the Saudi sovereign fund. So when Forbes puts a number on them, it’s basically an educated guess. “I’d say… uh… a bajillion dollars?” Close enough.
So, How Much Are They Really Worth?
If you pin me down, I’d say the core ruling branch—King Salman, MBS, and five or six top princes—controls liquid assets and palaces worth $100 to $200 billion. The entire extended family? Add a few zeros and call it a day. But honestly, the number is so big it loses meaning. It’s like asking how many grains of sand are on a beach. You just know it’s a lot.
Saudi Royal Family Wealth
Here’s my favorite part: the Saudi royals don’t even pay electricity bills. In Saudi Arabia, senior princes get free utilities, free healthcare, and massive monthly stipends (called “the privy purse”). Some sources say MBS’s personal allowance is $1 million a month—and that’s just pocket change for him. Must be nice, huh? Meanwhile, I’m here eyeing my $8 avocado toast like it’s a luxury.
The Takeaway (With a Side of Irony)
So, is the Saudi royalty worth a trillion? Maybe. Probably more. But here’s the punchline: they can’t take it with them. When a prince dies, his wealth stays in the family—but also gets split among dozens of heirs. So, despite the eye-popping numbers, most princes are “only” multimillionaires, not billionaires. The legendary wealth is concentrated in the very, very top.
Bottom line? The next time you see a Saudi prince’s Instagram post with a tiger in a gold Bentley, just smile and think: That’s one small slice of a trillion-dollar pie I’ll never taste. And then go enjoy your $4 latte. Because let’s be real—even if you had their money, you’d probably just buy a bigger TV and a slightly better couch. The royals? They buy entire islands. No hard feelings, though. It’s their oil. I’m just jealous that my kingdom ended up being a two-bedroom apartment with a noisy neighbor.
