Kings and maharajas across history had a deep connection with gold. It wasn’t just about wealth. Possessing gold was a symbol of power and status for them.
In modern times, gold is more than a mere symbol of wealth – it’s the most trusted haven to fall back upon in uncertain times. No wonder, gold is called the King of Uncertain times.
Over the years, gold has evolved as an attractive investment option too. While it usually takes a back seat to stocks and bonds, it’s still widely owned. From central banks to billionaire investors to the common man on the street, gold is highly likely to be in their possession.
Who owns the most gold?
If gold is such a prized asset, who could be the largest gold owners in the world? Before we get into that, let’s take a quick look at how much gold there is in the world.
The World Gold Council estimates that around 2,16,265 tonnes of gold have been mined throughout history.
Gold is a sign of wealth, and America represents it like no other nation. As of December 2024, the USA held the highest gold reserve of 8,134 tonnes, followed by Germany. Way behind are China and India with 2,280 tonnes and 876 tonnes of gold in their reserve, respectively.
But that’s about the government’s gold holdings. What about individuals?
There is a long list of individuals with the largest private gold holdings in the world. Let’s see.
Family-level ownership of Gold tells a different story
When it comes to gold ownership, Indian households are considered to hoard the most. According to some estimates, Indian families own about 24,000 tonnes of gold. That’s almost as much as what all the world’s central banks hold combined. In comparison, Chinese households are estimated to hold 20,000 tonnes of gold.
Ever wonder which individual owns the most gold?
Some of the biggest names holding gold in their portfolio include renowned investors such as John Paulson, Eric Sprott, George Soros, and Ray Dalio, amongst others, who strategically invest in gold to diversify their portfolios.
The Saudi royal family is known to hold a large quaintly of gold. Oil, the black gold, has helped the Saudi royal family to accumulate enormous wealth, placing them among the richest families in the world with substantial gold holdings.
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