News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

It’s a question which has prompted debate for generations - who is the richest person ever to live?

Now a new rich list claims to have found the answer. And Bill Gates has been firmly put in his place - by Mansa Musa I.

The little-known 14th Century West African King has come out top in the latest rich list, which has been adjusted to account for inflation.

Compiled by website Celebrity Net Worth, the 25-strong list spans 1,000 years and the people on it have a combined wealth of $4.317 trillion (£2.678 trillion).

Only three individuals on the list are alive today - Microsoft tycoon Bill Gates who comes in at number 12, Mexican Business mogul Carlos Slim Helu who came 22nd and US investor Warren Buffett who was placed 25th.

The infamous Rothschild family is placed second. The list also includes Muammar Gaddafi, William the Conqueror and Scottish industry captain Andrew Carnegie.

But sitting in the top position is Mansa Musa I of Mali - ruler of the Malian Empire which is now modern day Ghana, Timbuktu and Mali.

The obscure leader was born in 1280 and had a personal net worth of $400 billion (£248 billion) by the time he died in 1337.

But just generations after his death, his wealth had diminished as his heirs struggled with civil war and invasions.

Website Celebrity Net Worth said: “We started off with roughly 50 people then finalised the top 25 after adjusting for inflation to bring the fortunes into 2012 dollars.

“For example, $100 million in the year 1913 is equal to $2.299.63 billion in 2012 dollars thanks to the annual rate of inflation of 2199.6%.

“Our list includes some familiar modern names like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, and older magnates like Vanderbilt and Carnegie.

“This list also includes some lesser known billionaires that you may have never even heard of before.

“And we guarantee the number 1 person on this list will make your jaw drop.”

The list advertises itself as the “top 25” but there are actually 26 names on it because there are two people listed at number 22 with an equal fortune of $68 billion (£42 billion).

There are no women on the list and 14 out of the top 25 are Americans.

LIST OF TOP 25 ACCORDING TO CELEBRITY NET WORTH

1 Mansa Musa I, born 1280, Net Worth $400 Billion (£248 billion)

2 The Rothschild Family, born 1744, Net Worth $350 Billion (£217 billion)

3 John D. Rockefeller, born 1839, Net Worth $340 Billion (£211 billion)

4 Andrew Carnegie, born 1835, Net Worth $310 Billion (£192 billion)

5 Nikolai Alexandrovich Romanov, born 1868, Net Worth $300 Billion (£186 billion)

6 Mir Osman Ali Khan, born 1886, Net Worth $230 billion (£142 billion)

7 William The Conqueror, born 1028, Net Worth $229.5 Billion (£142 billion)

8 Muammar Gaddafi, born 1942, Net Worth $200 Billion (£124 billion)

9 Henry Ford, born 1863, Net Worth $199 Billion (£123 billion)

10 Cornelius Vanderbilt, born 1794, Net Worth $185 Billion (£114 billion)

11 Alan Rufus, born 1040, $178.65 billion (£110 billion)

12 Bill Gates, born 1955, Net Worth $136 Billion (£84 billion)

13 William de Warenne, birth unknown, died 1088, Net Worth $147.13 Billion (£91 billion)

14 John Jacob Astor, born 1763, Net Worth $121 Billion (£75 billion)

15 Richard Fitzalan 10th Earl of Arundel, born 1306, Net Worth $118.6 Billion (73 billion)

16 John of Gaunt, born 1340, Net Worth $110 Billion (£68 billion)

17 Stephen Girard, born 1750, Net Worth $105 Billion (£65 bilion)

18 A.T. Stewart, born 1803, Net Wort $90 Billion (£55 billion)

19 Henry Duke of Lancaster, born 1301, Net Worth $85.1 Billion (£52 billion)

20 Friedrich Weyerhauser, born 1834, Net Worth $80 Billion (£49 billion)

21 Jay Gould, born 1836, Net Worth $71 Billion (£44 billion)

22 Carlos Slim Helu, born 1940, Net Worth $68 Billion (£42 billion)

22 Stephen Van Rensselaer, born 1764, Net Worth $68 Billion (£42 billion)

23 Marshall Field, born 1834, Net Worth $66 Billion (£40 billion)

24 Sam Walton, born 1918, Net Worth $65 Billion (£40 billion)

25 Warren Buffett, born 1930, Net Worth $64 Billion (£39 billion)