India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have lunch with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei at his residence 'Istana Nurul Iman.' The Sultan's palace is unlike any other head of state residence. Spanning 2 million square feet, it is the world's largest palace, boasting 1,700 rooms and a dome made of 22-carat gold. Although Brunei is smaller than Indian states like Sikkim and Tripura, the Sultan's immense wealth and extravagant lifestyle have consistently attracted worldwide attention.
Following Queen Elizabeth II, Sultan Bolkiah is the world's second-longest-reigning monarch, with an estimated net worth of $30 billion. Brunei is rich in oil and natural gas reserves.
Source: aajtak
The Sultan's Remarkable Car Collection
One of the most significant aspects of Bolkiah's luxurious lifestyle is his private car collection, estimated to be worth $5 billion. It includes a gold-coated Rolls Royce, about 450 Ferraris, and 380 Bentleys. Not just impressive cars, but rare ones too like the Lamborghini Urraco, Ferrari 456 GT Venice (one of only seven in the world), and a Porsche 959, all housed in his 200 garages.
Source: aajtak
Reports state that in the 1990s, half of all Rolls Royce cars purchased worldwide belonged to the Sultan and his family.
Bolikiah is also known for his extravagant spending, even on basic needs. According to The Times, he spends $20,000 routinely to bring his barber from London to Brunei for grooming needs.
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His private jets are equally luxurious. The Sultan owns Boeing 747-400, Boeing 767-200, and Airbus A340-200 jets. However, his most prized possession is a gold-plated Boeing 747-400, nicknamed the 'Flying Palace.'
According to the South China Morning Post, the aircraft's interior is adorned with gold, complemented by expensive chandeliers decorated with Lalique crystal.
Source: aajtak
The Istana Nurul Iman holds the Guinness World Record for being the largest palace globally, featuring 1,700 rooms, 250 bathrooms, and five swimming pools. Each room even has gold wash basins.
The Sultan is also an avid equestrian. Allegedly, he has special air-conditioned stables for his horses. His private zoo hosts 30 tigers and numerous exotic bird species.
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Who is the Sultan of Brunei?
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah is one of the world's richest individuals. Brunei gained independence from Britain in 1984. Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III ascended to the throne on October 5, 1967. Now, Hassanal Bolkiah has ruled Brunei for nearly 59 years.
Brunei: A Muslim-majority country
Brunei's population is 80% Muslim. Compared to Brunei, the percentage of Muslims is significantly lower in larger countries like Indonesia. Since its independence, opposition has not been permitted in Brunei, and the country has no significant civil society. A state of emergency declared in 1962 still persists.
