Sultan of Brunei

Hassanal Bolkiah ibni Omar Ali Saifuddien III, born on July 15, 1946, has been the Sultan of Brunei since 1967 and the prime minister since the country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1984. He holds the distinction of being one of the few absolute monarchs globally. The eldest son of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III and Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit, he became the 29th Sultan of Brunei following his father’s abdication in 1967. Known for his immense wealth, Bolkiah has consistently been ranked among the world’s richest individuals, with a reported net worth of $30 billion as of 2023. He holds the titles of the world’s longest-reigning current monarch and the longest-serving current head of state. In 2017, he celebrated his Golden Jubilee, marking 50 years on the throne.