1. Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Sultan/Brunei $22 billion Age: 61
Became 29th Sultan of Brunei 40 years ago, inheriting riches of an unbroken 600-year-old Muslim dynasty. Rules concurrently as the oil-rich land's prime minister, defense minister, finance minister and head of religion.
2. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
President/United Arab Emirates $21 billion Age: 59
Hereditary ruler of tiny emirate Abu Dhabi, home to one-tenth of world's oil reserves. Reinventing emirate as "cultural hub" of Middle East; Frank Gehry-designed branch of the Guggenheim Museum set to open in 2011.
3. King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz
King/Saudi Arabia $19 billion Age: 83
King since August 2005; soon after, began construction on a $26 billion city named in his honor. More fiscally conservative than his big- spending half-brother, the late King Fahd.
4. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Ruler/Dubai $16 billion Age: 57
"CEO of Dubai Inc." shares fortune with two brothers. Government holding companies bought big stakes in HSBC (nyse: HBC - news - people ) and Deutsche Bank (nyse: DB - news - people ); bid for U.S retailer Barneys New York.
5. King Bhumibol Adulyadej
King/Thailand $5 billion Age: 79
World's longest-reigning living monarch is U.S.-born, Swiss-educated and revered as deity in Thailand. Family fortune includes investments, real estate mostly held through Crown Property Bureau.
6. Prince Hans-Adam II von und zu Liechtenstein
Prince/Liechtenstein $4.5 billion Age: 62
Heads country. Family fortune goes back 900 years. Family has been collecting art for four centuries; own 33 Rubens, largest number in private hands.
7. King Mohammed VI
King/Morocco $2 billion Age: 44
Nicknamed "King of the Poor" for efforts to alleviate poverty and improve human rights. Palace's reported budget exceeds $960,000 a day, much spent on clothes and car repairs.
8. Prince Albert II
Prince/Monaco $1.2 billion Age: 49
Eligible bachelor inherited tiny principality after father's death in 2005, as well as fortune in real estate, art and stake in Monte Carlo's casinos.
9. Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani
Emir/Qatar $1 billion Age: 55
Overthrew father in a bloodless coup in 1995. Sports enthusiast bringing events like Asian Games to tiny state. Funded Al Jazeera and its English-language sister station.
10. Prince Karim Aga Khan
Prince $1 billion Age: 70
Celebrated fiftieth anniversary as leader of world's 15 million Ismaili Muslims this year. Suave businessman runs business conglomerate from France and Switzerland.
11. Queen Elizabeth II
Queen/U.K. $600 million Age: 81
Long-reigning Queen keeps active travel schedule, including a state visit to the U.S. this year, her fourth since 1957. Real estate holdings in England and Scotland appreciating.
12. Sheikh Sabah Al Sabah
Emir/Kuwait $500 million Age: 78
Took over as emir in 2006 after crown prince deemed too ill to ascend throne. Soon after, voted for a significant raise in the royal family stipend.
13. Sultan Qaboos Bin Said
Sultan/Oman $500 million Age: 66
After six years under house arrest, overthrew father in 1970. Began modernization to open country to outside world. Funded restoration of a dozen mosques.
14. Queen Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard
Queen/Netherlands $300 million Age: 69
Powerful monarch appoints prime minister and deputies, signs bills into law. Family fortune includes real estate, equity investments and antiques.
15 King Mswati III
King/Swaziland $200 million Age: 39
Africa's last absolute monarch assumed throne at age 18. Wealth derived from investments, real estate. Lavish spender building palaces for each of his 13 wives.
http://members.forbes.com/forbes/2007/0917/054.html
