King Bhumibol Adulyadej Net Worth

Daniel Wanburg

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Bhumibol Adulyadej was born on 5th December 1927 in Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. He has been serving as the King of Thailand – or Rama IX of the Chakri Dynasty – from the 9th June 1946, and is the longest serving head of state in the world, monarch or otherwise, and it is undoubtedly this position that is the main source of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s net worth.

So how rich is the King? Reportedly, the overall amount of the King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s wealth has been stated as $30 billion since 2010 by Forbes magazine, as some disagreement exists as to what is ‘private’ and ‘public’ wealth. However, the King has accumulated considerable net worth through investments in businesses located in Thailand, including the Siam Commercial Bank, Siam Cement and other companies. From 2008 to 2013, he topped the list of the world’s richest royals compiled by Forbes magazine. Needless to mention the fact that his assets include several luxurious residences and other possessions among which is the King’s Golden Jubilee Diamond supposedly valued at $12 billion.


King Bhumibol Adulyadej Net Worth $30 Billion


King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the only future monarch to have been born in the USA, and that was because his father Prince Mahidol Adulyadej was studying at Harvard University at that time. He is also the only child from the Thai royal family to be born outside Thailand. He was educated in Switzerland at the École Nouvelle de la Suisse Romande in Lausanne, and later graduated in law and political science in preparation for his role, from the University of Lausanne. King Bhumibol succeeded to the position of King after the death of King Ananda Mahidol, his brother, who was shot under unclear circumstances, although officially an assassination by palace aides.

During his long-spanned reign, the King has managed to reach almost absolute authority from a very small original power base, despite the fact that the position had become a constitutional, and not an absolute, monarchy in 1932. Even though his governmental powers are officially limited, the King has managed to play a very important role in avoiding or resolving political crises. This highly respected king has ruled the country during several periods when national stability was threatened. In 1957, he even imposed martial law himself, to settle a dispute between competing military faction heads. Somewhat unusually, several future coups were only successful – or not – at the behest of the King. In particular, in 1992 King Bhumibol intervened publicly and on TV to resolve another stoush between the military and supporters of total democracy, which resulted in or more democratic system. However, there were ‘crises’ of 2003, 2005–2006 and the coup of September 2006, and of 2008. At the present time in 2015, Thailand – supposedly democratic – is ruled by a military dictatorship, apparently with the tacit agreement of the King.

Interestingly for a monarch so beloved by his people, the state of ‘lese majesty’ still exists, and King Bhumibol has lived an active ceremonial way of live, while still enjoying popularity and the respect of his subjects. In addition to being a great king and politician, he is also an avid photographer, painter, musician, author and translator. He has now been diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis as well as Parkinson’s disease, though he still manages to actively play his role in ruling the country.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej is highly respected person not only in Thailand but all over the world. He has received a number of honours and awards in Thailand as well as from various countries around the world.

Regarding the personal life of His Majesty the King, Bhumibol Adulyadej married his wife Sirikit Kitiyakara in 1950. Together they have four children, 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The heir apparent is Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn who has been married and divorced, while fathering seven children. It is hard to imagine him carrying the same authority and enjoying national respect as his auspicious father.

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