Meet man who owns 7000 cars, 1,700-room palace, Rs 4300 crore private jet, not richer than Mukesh Ambani, Adani, his source of income is…, he is from…

In September, Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Istana Nurul Iman, the world’s largest residential palace, during Modi’s historic bilateral visit. This marked the first time an Indian Prime Minister visited the Southeast Asian nation for bilateral discussions. At the palace, which serves as both the Sultan’s official residence and the seat of Brunei’s government, Modi was received by Sultan Bolkiah and his close family members. The opulence of Istana Nurul Iman is remarkable, covering 2 million square feet and featuring 1,700 rooms, along with a stunning 22-carat gold dome.

Despite its small size—smaller than Indian states like Sikkim and Tripura—Brunei’s strategic location on the island of Borneo, combined with the Sultan’s immense wealth and extravagant lifestyle, continues to draw international attention.

Who is Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah?

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, known for his extravagant lifestyle, is the second-longest reigning monarch in the world, following the late Queen Elizabeth II of the UK, according to an NDTV report. He became the 29th Sultan of Brunei on August 1, 1968, and his full title is His Majesty The Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

The Sultan is married to Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha and has five sons and seven daughters, as stated by the Prime Minister’s Office of Brunei Darussalam. The same royal family has ruled Brunei for over 600 years, according to France 24.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah holds several key positions in the government, including Prime Minister, Defence Minister, and Finance Minister, which gives him significant control over the country’s political and economic affairs.

Born on July 15, 1946, he received his education in Brunei, Malaysia, and the UK’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst before ascending to the throne at the young age of 21. His immense wealth primarily comes from Brunei’s rich oil and gas reserves, with Forbes once estimating his fortune at USD 30 billion.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah owns world’s largest residential palace

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah is the owner of the world’s largest residential palace, Istana Nurul Iman, located in the capital of Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan, along the picturesque banks of the Brunei River. The palace, which offers stunning views of its surroundings, was completed in 1984 to mark Brunei’s independence from British protection and holds the Guinness World Record for its size.

Covering approximately 200,000 square meters, Istana Nurul Iman boasts an impressive 1,788 rooms, including 257 bathrooms. The palace features a grand banquet hall that can accommodate up to 5,000 guests and a mosque that can hold 1,500 worshippers. It also has a parking garage capable of housing 110 cars, along with air-conditioned stables for the Sultan’s 200 polo ponies.

The palace is surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens and is adorned with luxurious materials such as gold, marble, and chandeliers, making it a magnificent sight. Additionally, Istana Nurul Iman serves as a venue for state functions and ceremonies, including the annual Hari Raya celebration, during which certain sections of the palace are open to the public for three days.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’s car collection

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’s extravagant lifestyle is epitomized by his staggering private car collection, which boasts over 7,000 luxury vehicles valued at approximately USD 5 billion. This impressive collection includes a gold-coated Rolls Royce, around 450 Ferraris, and 380 Bentleys.

Among the collection are rare gems such as a Lamborghini Urraco, a Ferrari 456 GT Venice (one of only seven in the world), and a Porsche 959, all of which hold pride of place in one of his 200 garages.

Notable vehicles include the Bentley Dominator SUV, valued at about USD 80 million, a Porsche 911 featuring a stunning Horizon Blue paint and an X88 power package, and a 24-carat gold-plated Rolls-Royce Silver Spur II.

One of the Sultan’s most cherished possessions is a custom-designed Rolls-Royce with an open roof and an umbrella, lavishly adorned with gold. He also acquired a custom gold-coated Rolls-Royce for his daughter Princess Majedah’s wedding in 2007.

During the 1990s, the Sultan and his family reportedly accounted for half of all Rolls Royce purchases worldwide, underscoring their remarkable influence in the luxury car market.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’s net worth

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has a net worth of $30 billion and has regularly featured at the top of lists of the world’s richest individuals. The source of Sultan’s wealth is largely derived from Brunei’s oil and gas reserves.