Economics in the Harry Potter world is weird, not least because there's a single bank controlling all the money.
But who has (or needs) the biggest chamber at Gringotts? Who is the richest wizard?
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11if "Wit beyond measure is a man's greatest treasure" then that changes the math a bit ;) – NKCampbell Aug 15 '19 at 20:20
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2The biggest chamber doesn't mean the richest wizard. – marcellothearcane Aug 15 '19 at 21:09
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10Nicolas Flamel has philosopher's stone, it can turn lead to gold. – Oni Aug 15 '19 at 22:20
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9I don't see this as especially broad or unclear. A single twit from JKR would answer it handily ("X is the richest wizard in the world"), for example. – Valorum Aug 15 '19 at 22:53
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2The result is that they {the Malfoys} are one of the richest wizarding families in Britain, and it has been rumoured for many years (though never proven) that over the centuries the family has dabbled successfully in Muggle currency and assets. – Valorum Aug 15 '19 at 23:56
Bellatrix Lestrange was the wealthiest
Bellatrix's lifestyle makes it evident that she's very rich. She, unlike Lucius, has no children so her money has stayed her own.
Now we take a look at the Deathly Hallows book.
Chapter 26, page 437
"Make him press his hand to the door!" Griphook urged Harry,who turned his wand again upon Bogrod.
The old goblin obeyed, pressing his palm to the wood, and the door of the vault melted away to reveal a cave-like opening crammed from floor to ceiling with golden coins and goblets, silver armour, skins of strange creatures, some with long spines, others with drooping wings, potions in jewelled, and a skull still wearing it's crown.
This clearly says that Bellatrix was the richest in the wizarding world. But as she died in the battle of Hogwarts, her riches might have been given to Narcissa.
If she had given her money to Narcissa Malfoy, then the Malfoys would have been the wealthiest as they were already very wealthy. Therefore, Draco Malfoy (to whom the riches might have been inherited) may be the richest wizard in this case.
If not, it's Bellatrix.
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1"This clearly says that Bellatrix was the richest in the wizarding world" - no it doesn't. It says she's rich, but nowhere does it say that she is the richest, period. For all we know there are witches or wizards out there with even more gold than that. – F1Krazy Mar 18 '20 at 7:59
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1Well, she's got the wealth of the Black family. Plus, she had riches lined from the floor to the ceiling. Her vault is filled with riches. It's mentioned in the books – Hermione_Watson Mar 18 '20 at 9:34
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@Hermione_Watson that still doesn't mean there can't be, say, a Japanese wizard with double the wealth the Lestranges have. – Jenayah Mar 18 '20 at 14:04
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So perhaps the real answer is: We don’t know who the wealthiest person is, since we don’t know of ever single wizard in the HP universe. But it could be either Bellatrix or the Malfoys, given Rowling’s comments on the latter. – creative-username Mar 18 '20 at 14:12
