Books like The richest man who ever lived by Greg Steinmetz

Jacob Fugger (also known as the Rich Man) was a German banker who lived at the turn of the sixteenth century. A grandson of a peasant, he amassed a fortune that would eventually account for nearly two percent of European GDP. His banking empire was built on long‑term partnerships with the Habsburgs and other European powers, and he pioneered modern financial practices such as the use of interest on loans and the creation of a news service to give him an edge over rivals. Fugger’s influence extended beyond finance. He worked to change Church law to allow interest, supported the Reformation, and possibly funded Ferdinand Magellan’s circumnavigation of the globe. His financial dealings helped elevate the Habsburg family from second‑tier sovereigns to rulers of the first global empire. His life illustrates the power of money to shape history and the high stakes of 16th‑century palace intrigue.

First publish date: 2015