New Delhi: When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits 'Istana Nurul Iman,' the residence of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, he will be entering the world’s largest and most extravagant palace. Spanning a staggering 2 million square feet, the palace features 1,700 rooms and a stunning 22-carat gold dome.
Brunei, strategically located on the island of Borneo, is smaller in size compared to Indian states like Sikkim and Tripura, yet its Sultan’s opulence is renowned worldwide. Sultan Bolkiah, the world’s second-longest reigning monarch after Queen Elizabeth II, is reported to have a net worth of $30 billion, thanks to Brunei's substantial oil and natural gas reserves.
A major highlight of Bolkiah's lavish lifestyle is his private car collection, valued at around $5 billion. This includes a gold-coated Rolls Royce, approximately 450 Ferraris, and 380 Bentleys. Among his rare cars are a Lamborghini Urraco, a Ferrari 456 GT Venice (one of only seven in existence), and a Porsche 959, all housed in one of his 200 garages. During the 1990s, Bolkiah and his family were responsible for half of all Rolls Royce purchases globally.
The Sultan’s extravagance extends to even the most basic aspects of his life. Reports reveal that he spends $20,000 to fly his personal barber from London to Brunei. His fleet of private jets includes a Boeing 747-400, a Boeing 767-200, and an Airbus A340-200, with the gold-plated Boeing 747-400, known as the "flying palace," being his prized possession. Its interior is adorned with gold and features chandeliers embellished with Lalique crystals.
The Istana Nurul Iman stands as a testament to Bolkiah’s wealth, featuring 250 bathrooms and five swimming pools. Each room is equipped with gold wash basins. Additionally, the Sultan is known for his love of horses, having built special air-conditioned stables, and he owns a private zoo with 30 tigers and various exotic birds.
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