Mansa Musa I, the 14th-century ruler of the Mali Empire in West Africa, is often regarded as history's wealthiest person. During his reign, Mali was a major producer of gold, and Musa's wealth was legendary. He is best known for his extravagant pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324-1325, during which he distributed so much gold among the poor in Cairo that he caused its value to plummet. Musa's wealth and generosity made Mali a renowned kingdom, attracting scholars, merchants, and travelers from across the world. He is remembered not only for his riches but also for his contributions to education, architecture, and the development of Timbuktu as a center of Islamic learning.
