#250 Jacob Fugger The Richest Man Who Ever Lived

In "The Richest Man Who Ever Lived," Greg Steinmetz chronicles the life of Jacob Fugger, a German banker whose financial prowess and nerve shaped the Habsburg dynasty and the landscape of European finance. Fugger's legacy includes pioneering double-entry bookkeeping, financing Magellan's circumnavigation, and influencing the legalization of money lending by the church. His story, recommended by Eric Jorgeson, author of "The Almanac of Naval Ravikant," reveals Fugger's innovations and ruthless business tactics, which led to his immense wealth—equivalent to 2% of Europe's GDP at his death. Despite his riches and influence, Fugger's life ended in solitude, underscoring the personal cost of his relentless pursuit of wealth.

• Jacob Fugger, a German banker, became the wealthiest man in history during the time of Columbus and da Vinci.
• His financial support was pivotal to the Habsburg family's acquisition of territories, including Vienna.
• Fugger's fortune was built through shrewd business tactics, technological innovation, and tough negotiations, combined with his unique trait of nerve.
• He was known for demanding repayment of loans with interest from monarchs, a bold move at the time.
• His actions influenced major events, such as provoking Martin Luther to start the Reformation and legalizing money lending with the pope's approval.
• Fugger financed significant ventures like Magellan's circumnavigation and played a role in political power struggles.

"When Fouger made his first loan to the Hazburgs, they didn't even have Vienna. By the time he finished, they had half the known world." "In an era when kings had unlimited power, Fuger had the nerve to stare down the heads of state and ask them to pay back their loans with interest."

These quotes highlight Fugger's critical role in the expansion of the Habsburg empire and his audacity in dealing with monarchs, which was uncommon and risky at the time.

• The book by Greg Steinmetz provides an in-depth look at Jacob Fugger's life and his lasting impact on finance and business.
• Eric Jorgeson, author of "The Almanac of Naval Ravikant," recommended the book, highlighting its insights on wealth creation and history.
• The book details Fugger's innovations, such as double-entry bookkeeping and his information network, likening him to the Rothschilds and Rockefeller.
• Fugger's net worth at his death was equivalent to 2% of Europe's GDP, making a strong case for him being the richest man in history.

"In the richest man who ever lived, the author, Greg Steinmetz, for the first time gives Fuger his due. It is the ultimate untold story." "At his death, his net worth was 2% of the GDP of Europe."

The first quote introduces the book and its purpose to acknowledge Fugger's achievements. The second quote emphasizes the magnitude of Fugger's wealth, underscoring his historical significance.

• Fugger's early life was shaped by his mother's decision to send him to apprentice in Venice, a city that prioritized commerce over religion.
• His personality traits included being headstrong, selfish, deceitful, and sometimes cruel, but he used these to his advantage in business.
• Despite his wealth, Fugger's personal life was troubled, with few friends and a distant relationship with his family.

"Jacob's father died when he was ten, and if it was not for his strong and resourceful mother, he might not have gotten anywhere." "Jacob was headstrong, selfish, deceitful, and sometimes cruel."

The first quote acknowledges the critical role of Fugger's mother in his career, while the second quote provides an honest assessment of his character traits, which played a part in his business dealings.

• Fugger revolutionized financial management by consolidating the returns of multiple operations into a single financial statement.
• He created one of the first news services, giving him an edge over competitors.
• His methods and aggressive business tactics set a precedent for future capitalists and shaped the financial system we know today.

"Jacob was the first anywhere to consolidate the returns of multiple operations in a single financial statement." "It is fair to call Jacob the most influential businessman of all time."

These quotes underscore Fugger's innovative approach to financial management and his significant influence on the evolution of business practices.

• Fugger adopted and enhanced the Italian double-entry bookkeeping system, allowing for a comprehensive view of his financial empire.
• His understanding of the importance of detailed and accurate bookkeeping gave him an advantage in business, similar to John D. Rockefeller's approach.

"Venice also exposed him to the craft of accounting." "He knew that those who kept sloppy books and overlooked details left money on the table."

The first quote explains where Fugger learned his accounting skills, while the second quote reflects his belief in the importance of meticulous financial records for successful business operations.

• Rockefeller was known for his exceptional bookkeeping skills, which made him highly sought after by older businessmen for partnerships.
• His meticulous attention to detail in managing finances was unmatched, ensuring no money was wasted.

"There's nobody else that's as good at bookkeeping and just keeping a handle on the overall financial performance of a business and making sure that we're not wasting a penny than this guy."

Explanation: This quote emphasizes Rockefeller's superior ability in financial management, which made him an ideal partner for other businessmen who valued frugality and precise accounting.

• The author of the discussed book provides insight into how a banker like Jacob Fugger could become extremely powerful during a certain period in history.
• The role played by Jacob as an individual in the past is now typically filled by large institutions like governments and central banks.

"The role that Jacob plays as an individual is now a role that's played by institutions like governments, central banks, the International Monetary Fund, pensions."

Explanation: This quote draws a parallel between the influential role of a historical individual banker and the modern-day financial institutions that hold similar power.

• European leaders of the era built wealth through war and conquest, requiring funds to raise armies.
• Jacob Fugger's role was to provide the financial support necessary for these military endeavors.

"At this point in European history, the leaders are building wealth through war and conquering... And to get soldiers, you need money. And so that is the role that Jacob's going to play."

Explanation: The quote explains Jacob's crucial role in financing the wars that European leaders waged to accumulate wealth, highlighting the importance of money in power dynamics of the time.

• Frederick aimed to expand his family's power through conquest, symbolized by the motto "All earth is under Austria."
• Despite his ambitions, Frederick struggled financially and was unable to secure credit due to his poor reputation among merchants.

"Frederick was unable to fund an imperial lifestyle and was broke... other merchants would refuse him credit."

Explanation: This quote underlines Frederick's financial difficulties and his inability to support his grand ambitions due to a lack of funds and credibility with lenders.

• Jacob Fugger, originally involved in the textile trade, saw an opportunity to enter the lucrative mining business and banking by lending money to nobles like Sigmund.
• His strategic lending practices allowed him to gain a foothold in the mining industry and establish himself as a prominent banker.

"Jacob wanted to be one of the bankers, and remarkably, he got in on a deal... he would take to new heights."

Explanation: The quote describes Jacob's transition from the textile industry to banking and mining, marking the beginning of his rise to financial prominence.

• Jacob Fugger demonstrated exceptional business sense and strategic thinking in his dealings with Sigmund.
• He implemented safeguards in his loan agreements to minimize risk and secure control over financial operations.

"To prevent ruin, Jacob filled the loan agreement with safeguards... Jacob also insisted on control over the state treasury."

Explanation: This quote illustrates Jacob's careful approach to business, ensuring that his investments were protected through various contractual measures.

• Jacob Fugger recognized Maximilian's potential and strategically shifted his support from Sigmund to the more promising leader.
• Maximilian's attributes and cunning strategies aligned with Jacob's own business philosophy.

"Jacob correctly grasped that Maximilian would outmaneuver the dull-witted Sigmund... But Jacob, who preferred the ambitious Maximilian as a customer to Sigmund, did nothing."

Explanation: The quote reveals Jacob's calculated decision to support Maximilian over Sigmund, demonstrating his ability to identify and back the more advantageous ally.

• Jacob Fugger established a sophisticated information network, which was unprecedented at the time.
• His couriers collected and delivered market-sensitive information, giving him a significant advantage over competitors.

"Jacob craved market sensitive information so much that he created a system to get it first, a news service, which was the world's first."

Explanation: This quote highlights Jacob Fugger's innovative approach to gaining a competitive edge through the establishment of an early form of intelligence gathering and news dissemination.

• Both Jacob Fugger and Nathan Rothschild were influential businessmen who, despite living in different times and places, developed similar strategies for their businesses.
• They both came from large families and rose to lead their family businesses.
• Each transitioned from the textile trade to banking and had clients who borrowed money to finance wars.
• Both men were ennobled but did not use their noble titles, although their heirs did.
• They exploited informational edges to gain advantages in their respective industries.

"Of all the businessmen in history, Nathan Rothschild came closest to matching Jacob's influence and his life and career echoed Jacob's own."

This quote outlines the parallels between the careers and influence of Jacob Fugger and Nathan Rothschild, highlighting their significant roles in business history.

• Jacob Fugger held radical beliefs for his time, valuing intelligence, talent, and effort over noble birth.
• He recognized his relationship with the emperor as one of creditor and debtor, which gave him power.
• Fugger's business practices included bribing officials, including emperors and the pope, to gain political power and safeguard his interests.
• He was innovative in financial practices, offering savings accounts at a time when they were a new concept.

"Jacob's worldview let him recognize his relationship with the emperor in its true form. This is what I mean about he saw the truth before anybody else did. It's very fascinating."

This quote highlights Jacob Fugger's ability to recognize the true nature of his relationship with authority figures, which was based on financial power rather than traditional hierarchies.

• Jacob Fugger was known for his remarkable talent for investing and sizing up opportunities.
• He was adept at running a business, negotiating favorable terms, and exploiting weaknesses.
• His ability to borrow large sums of money was key to his success, as he convinced various high-ranking individuals to loan him money.
• Fugger's use of financial leverage, such as offering savings accounts, was innovative and risky but ultimately successful.

"Jacob had a remarkable talent for investing. He knew better than anyone, than anyone how to size up an opportunity."

This quote emphasizes Jacob Fugger's exceptional investment acumen and his strategic approach to business opportunities.

• Jacob Fugger lived a life that was both interesting and influential, providing rich material for storytelling.
• His actions had significant social and economic impacts, including the creation of jobs and the advancement of a market-based economy.
• Fugger faced opposition and violence due to his wealth and business practices.
• His conviction in the justness of his actions was unwavering, and he believed he was fulfilling God's will by making money.

"Jacob was happiest when striking deals or scrutinizing his ledgers. Nothing gave him greater joy than the chores required to make him richer."

This quote captures Jacob Fugger's passion for business and his relentless pursuit of wealth, which he saw as his divine purpose.

• Jacob Fugger's influence led to the lifting of the church's ban on usury, which was a significant shift in religious and economic policy.
• He used his conviction and political savvy to persuade the church to legalize collecting interest.
• The pope at the time, Leo, who was also a borrower from Jacob, issued a decree acknowledging the legitimacy of charging interest.
• This change facilitated the growth of capitalism and the modern economy, allowing for debt financing to flourish.

"Jacob's lobbying had paid off in spectacular fashion. He and others were now free to charge borrowers and pay depositors interest with the full blessing of the church."

This quote demonstrates the success of Jacob Fugger's efforts to change church policy on usury, which had profound implications for the development of the financial system.

• Jacob Fugger's financial activities inadvertently set off a chain of events leading to the Protestant Reformation.
• The repayment scheme for a loan he provided to a German noble family sparked the sale of a clerical office, which then triggered Martin Luther's actions.
• Fugger's role in these events shows how his business dealings had far-reaching consequences beyond the immediate financial realm.

"Jacob made a loan to some guy. Let's ignore who he is. He was a cyan of a family that ruled an area around present day Berlin. The scheme to repay the loan triggered one of the most important events in history, which was the Protestant Reformation."

This quote links Jacob Fugger's lending practices to one of the pivotal moments in European history, illustrating the extensive impact of his financial dealings.

• The church proposed an indulgence as a repayment method to Jacob Fugger.
• Indulgences were sold as a means to absolve sins and rescue souls from purgatory.
• Martin Luther was outraged by this practice, leading to his protest.

"So an indulgence is saying, hey, give us money and we'll absolve you of all your sins. We can get your dead relatives out of purgatory."

The quote explains the concept of indulgences as a church financing device, highlighting the controversial practice of selling forgiveness for money, which was a catalyst for Martin Luther's protest.

• Martin Luther, a 33-year-old scholar, was incensed by the church's actions with Jacob Fugger.
• He composed the 95 Theses against indulgences, sparking a significant religious upheaval in Europe.
• Luther utilized the printing press to disseminate his message, which was a novel approach at the time.

"Martin Luther composed 95 arguments against indulgences, which would in turn be his famous 95 thesis."

This quote refers to the critical action Martin Luther took in writing the 95 Theses, a document challenging the church's practice of indulgences and marking the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.

• The printing press was instrumental in spreading Martin Luther's ideas.
• Johann Gutenberg's invention took decades to become widely used.
• Luther's extensive use of the press allowed him to develop a large following.

"So Gutenberg, which was interesting, is like the lag between the invention of a device and its widespread use. Gutenberg made the first printing press in 1450, but it didn't really gain popularity where we are in Europe at this point, to the 1520s."

The quote discusses the historical context of the printing press's adoption and its significance in disseminating Luther's works, illustrating how technology can impact social movements.

• Jacob Fugger emphasized accurate records and meticulous monitoring of transactions.
• He consolidated financial statements across branches, which was innovative for the time.
• Jacob's approach allowed him to understand his financial position and make informed decisions.

"Jacob, in contrast, monitored every transaction and let nothing sneak through...Jacob combined statements from all the branches into a single statement."

The quote highlights Jacob Fugger's business practices, particularly his attention to detail and innovative approach to financial management, which set him apart from his competitors.

• Luther's actions positioned him against the church and financial elites like Jacob Fugger.
• Hutton, a writer, targeted Jacob Fugger similarly to how Ida Tarbell targeted John D. Rockefeller.
• The elite's response to suppress opposition was predictable, leading to censorship attempts.

"The emperor hoped to censor Luther Hutton and anyone else opposed to him or the pope by putting Jacob at the controls."

This quote illustrates the political maneuvering to suppress dissent, with Jacob Fugger being placed in charge of the printing presses to control the narrative.

• The conflict between Jacob Fugger and the rebels is framed as a war between capitalists and communists.
• Jacob defended private ownership while the rebels, led by figures like Munzer, sought communal property.
• The struggle resulted in violence, with both sides committing atrocities.

"So now we get to the point in the story where this is the first war between capitalists and communists."

This quote provides an interpretation of the historical conflict as an early ideological battle between capitalism and communism, with Jacob Fugger and Munzer representing opposing sides.

• Economic sanctions were used as a weapon against Hungary to pressure the return of Jacob's mines.
• Jacob Fugger's will instructed his heirs to seek full restitution for his Hungarian business.
• His business practices and impact lasted beyond his lifetime, with his family still benefiting.

"The boycott against Hungary was on a scale rarely witnessed. All of those bringing pressure were Jacob's customers to return the mine."

The quote describes the strategic use of economic sanctions to resolve a business dispute, demonstrating Jacob Fugger's influence and the longevity of his economic decisions.

• Jacob Fugger died wealthy but alone, with his legacy continuing through his family's ongoing income from land he acquired.
• The story of Jacob Fugger offers insights into the intersection of finance, politics, and religion in history.

"The fuger family, 17 generations after Jacob lived, still enjoy income on land Jacob acquired centuries earlier."

This final quote summarizes the enduring legacy of Jacob Fugger's business empire, emphasizing the long-term impact of his financial and real estate investments.