So THIS is what the revolution was about. His people drive cars built in the 50’s and held together with used string and paper clips. Guess it’s time for me to become a commie.

Forbes List: Fidel Castro Is One Rich Ruler

Cuban dictator Fidel Castro was furious when Forbes magazine estimated his fortune at $550 million last year, and threatened to sue.

But this year, the magazine has estimated the communist leader’s wealth at a cool $900 million.

It is based on Castro’s control of state-owned companies, the US financial magazine said.

But Castro insists his net worth is nil.

Kings and sheiks of the oil-rich Gulf Arab states still top the Forbes list, to be published in the May 22nd edition.

Saudi King Abdullah is No. 1, with an estimated $21 billion, followed by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei at $20 billion and United Arab Emirates’ President Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan at $19 billion.

President Castro had said he was considering suing after Forbes released its 2005 list, scoffing when his wealth was estimated to be close to that of the Queen of England.

“Do they think I am (former Zairian President) Mobutu (Sese Seko) or one of the many millionaires, those thieves and plunderers that the empire has suckled and protected?” he said last year, referring to his capitalist arch enemy, Washington.

This year, Castro would be well above the British monarch. Queen Elizabeth came in with about $500 million in estates, gems and a stamp collection built by her grandfather. The list does not include Buckingham Palace or the crown jewels.



  1. agile says:

    If you consider that Castro rides around in a mid 80s MBenz sedan, while Queen E has a fleet of Rolls, Jags, Range Rovers, and Carriages; your left with the impression that Forbes and People magazines should merge, or that El Comandante is vey tight.

  2. Richard McCoy says:

    ” Being A Communist Can Be VERY Profitable.”

    Things they didn’t teach us in school.

    Next, you will be telling us that Fidel smokes nothing but Havana cigars.

  3. RTaylor says:

    As far as dictators go, Fidel is about as benign as they come. This wealth is all on paper. Do you think Gates could liquify all those investments into hard cash? The Cuban people are suffering because of that outdated, please the Florida electorate, embargo. That and the fact they relied too heavily on USSR handouts for years. Castro bashers need to remember the Cuba before him. Fulgencio Batista was a real saint.

  4. The world awaits his death!

  5. axe says:

    I believe Fidel quit smoking cigars years ago.

    Yeah, Batista was more than a saint but I can’t say due to the blog rules. I think Batista (or his family) would be more wealthy today had he stayed in power.

    I wonder what Hugo Chavez’s wealth is now compared to a few years ago. I’ll bet you it is a hell of a lot more than what he had.

    There is one thing that goes with power, for the most part, and that is money.

  6. AB CD says:

    Fidel’s been great for the people- the people of the rest of Latin America, who took one look at what he was doing to Cuba, and it was enough to keep them away from Communism for decades.

  7. Thomas says:

    The Cuban people are suffering because of an outdated, please-the-dictator form of government.

  8. BOB G says:

    benign dictator?

  9. GregAllen says:

    Fidel is threatening to sue Forbes. Wouldn’t that be great!

    Even more ridiculous than when Fox threatened to sue Al Franken.

  10. axe says:

    Wasn’t that O’Reilly who sued Franken, not Fox?

  11. James Hill says:

    Another mistake from another drunk Kennedy: The legacy of Fidel.

    Sounds like a Lifetime movie.


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