When people discuss the richest individuals in history, the focus typically falls on today’s tech giants and modern billionaires. Elon Musk is often named as the wealthiest person on the planet, and Donald Trump has seen his fortune surge in recent years. However, even their combined wealth is minuscule compared to that of one historical figure who lived more than 1,300 years ago.

Her fortune was so large that, even in today’s terms, no modern billionaire comes close. Historians say her influence, power and control made her the wealthiest woman to have ever lived. Before revealing who she is, it’s worth examining the scale of wealth she is being compared to.

According to Forbes, Trump is now worth an estimated $7.3 billion, after gains from cryptocurrency, legal victories and new licensing deals.

Musk’s net worth has also grown recently. His stake in SpaceX helped push his fortune to around $677 billion, making him the first person ever valued at more than $600 billion and subsequently the richest in the world.

However, the combined fortunes of both still fall short by more than £11 trillion of one woman’s estimated wealth.

That woman was Wu Zetian, better known as Empress Wu, the first and only female emperor in China’s history.

According to a report from the South China Morning Post (SCMP), her wealth in modern terms would be equivalent to around £12 trillion.

During her rule in the Tang Dynasty, China controlled roughly 23% of the entire global economy, giving her a personal fortune unmatched by any ruler since.

Empress Wu was born in 624 AD in Shanxi Province to a wealthy family with strong connections to the imperial court.

At the age of 14, she entered the palace of Emperor Taizong as a secretary, where she received an education unusual for women at the time.

After Taizong’s death, she became a concubine to his son, Emperor Gaozong, and slowly rose in power.

Her path to the throne was filled with controversy. She initially ruled behind the scenes, then forced her son to abdicate and assumed the title of emperor herself in 690 AD. She ruled China directly for the next 15 years.

Empress Wu was infamous for her strict and sometimes ruthless leadership. Historical accounts link her to several alleged purges and political killings.

But she was also credited with major reforms that strengthened China’s economy, promoted education and shifted power from military elites to scholars.

Empress Wu’s reign came to an end in 705 when she died at the age of 81.