—Throughout history, the world has been shaped by the rich and powerful. Their recognizable names and deeds tend to dominate the news, but there was a time when the insanely rich of the past didn't have the exposure they do in modern times. This series looks at these mysterious icons who shared one obsession. From exotic animals to billion-dollar parties to nine-figure palaces, this ride through the jaw-dropping decadence showcases who these rulers, tycoons, and visionaries were, and ultimately, who among them spent the most.

1 seasonDocumentary, HistoryTV-PG

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Season 112 of 12 Episodes

When it comes to throwing parties, history's richest figures have always picked going big over going home; meeting the mega-millionaires who hosted parties so epic that they're still being talked about today.
For the richest people to ever live, no price is too high to pay for an object of desire, no matter how expensive or strange it may be; fine art, rare books, and extremely large coconuts are all on display.
Lavish dining is the epitome of living it up, and these are the mega-moneyed gourmands who spent jaw-dropping sums in pursuit of the rarest, the richest, and the most forbidden food and drink money could buy.
The prized possessions of some of history's richest people haven't been castles, jewels, or fine art, but something more exotic, with the ability to bite back; meeting the monarchs and millionaires who spent their fortunes collecting wild animals.
No problem has loomed larger for history's crazy rich than how to keep themselves and their multi-million dollar homes safe and secure; these three figures broke the bank on security features designed to prevent break-ins.
Gold has always been the ultimate status symbol; for these ancient figures, acquiring and spending huge stockpiles of gold was an all-consuming passion.
The homes of rich people have high expectations, and the homes of extremely rich people have even higher expectations; the ancient rich built palaces that became some of the largest, most luxurious buildings on Earth.
The ancients realized they were destined to spend more time in the tomb than the throne room and spent big to build luxurious final resting places for themselves and their loved ones.
The average American couple will drop five figures on their wedding, but that wouldn't even begin to cover the tab that these big spending couples racked up while throwing history's most baller nuptial celebrations.
Meeting the ancients who bankrolled the construction of massive churches and temples in an attempt to buy their way past the pearly gates.
Whether it's private planes, private trains or gold-plated limousines, the mega-rich have always flaunted their wealth by buying luxury vehicles, even when the only vehicles to buy were boats, chariots and horse-drawn carriages.
The richest people who have ever lived had the resources and power to build entire cities from scratch.

No problem has loomed larger for history's crazy rich than how to keep themselves and their multi-million dollar homes safe and secure; these three figures broke the bank on security features designed to prevent break-ins.
Upcoming
The prized possessions of some of history's richest people haven't been castles, jewels, or fine art, but something more exotic, with the ability to bite back; meeting the monarchs and millionaires who spent their fortunes collecting wild animals.
Upcoming

Throughout history, the world has been shaped by the rich and powerful. Their recognizable names and deeds tend to dominate the news, but there was a time when the insanely rich of the past didn't have the exposure they do in modern times. This series looks at these mysterious icons who shared one obsession. From exotic animals to billion-dollar parties to nine-figure palaces, this ride through the jaw-dropping decadence showcases who these rulers, tycoons, and visionaries were, and ultimately, who among them spent the most.

Darrell Brown

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History's Crazy Rich Ancients

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