To be a superhero one not only needs astounding superpowers but also godlike wealth. Fighting crime caped crusader style requires some serious capital, and the less super-human ability a would-be vigilante has, the more cash they need to get the job done (as well as survive the night).
The same is true of supervillains. Want to be a major player on the world's stage? Looking to control global markets, hold state governments hostage, or build a secret lair on the moon? These lofty goals demand insane resources -- resources rivaling even that of some countries! So who are the richest of the rich in Marvelland? Here are the 10 richest characters ranked (and how much they are worth).
10 Charles Xavier - 3.5 Billion
Kicking off the list is none other than the leader of the Uncanny X-Men himself, Charles Xavier aka Professor X. Being the son of a nuclear researcher, Xavier is no stranger to lavish luxury. From the start, the world's most powerful mutant grew up enjoying all the comforts of high society, including the best education at Oxford and all the elite contacts life in the top one percent brings.
But it wasn't until after the death of his parents that Professor X could put this fortune to good use, which he then invested in various business ventures and opportunities in order to sustain a school for displaced mutants as well as construct the secret HQ of the eponymous X-Men. Altogether, Xavier's net worth is estimated at 3.5 billion.
9 Norman Osborn - 10 Billion
Unlike Professor X who inherited his great wealth, Norman Osborn earned his ticket into the billion-dollar club, determining himself for success after a childhood of severe poverty and abuse at the hands of his father. Post leaving home, Osborn pursued a career in electrical engineering, founding the now-infamous Oscorp with business partner Mendel Stromm. Norman then rolled his money into various smart investments and enterprises around the world, procuring a large fortune for himself.
But as Osborn’s wealth and power grew, so did his greed, influencing the billionaire to steal his partner's human enhancement formula -- the serum that would eventually transform Osborn into one of Marvel’s most crazed villains.
8 Emma Frost - 11 Billion
Like Charles Xavier, Emma Frost aka the White Queen was born with a golden spoon in-hand. Her father, multi-millionaire Winston Frost, founded Frost Technologies -- a transportation corporation that put their family on the map. When it came time to hand off leadership of the company to Emma, she initially showed no interest. But after returning to the family later in life, Frost assumed control of the business and ushered the company into the future.
As the new owner and president, Frost showed real business savvy and wasn't afraid to exploit her mutant powers for personal gain. Using her telekinetic abilities, she expanded the company into electronics and technology, earning billions in the process. Emma later reformed the Frost Technologies into Frost International, a mega-conglomerate big enough to win her an invitation into the exclusive Hellfire Club.
7 Reed Richards - 12 Billion
Reed Richards aka Mr. Fantastic is not only one of the smartest characters in the Marvel Universe, he’s also one of the richest. As the leader of the Fantastic Four and perhaps the most brilliant scientist in the comicsverse, the elastic man has earned himself quite a hefty sum in patents. Some of these patents include inventions such as a coma canon, portal to alternate realities, a cloning device, and even an anti-matter machine.
With each new invention, Richards only grows richer, accumulating greater wealth and power for the good of humankind.
6 Wilson Fisk - 40 Billion
Wilson Fisk is a classic rags-to-riches story in every sense of the word-- only his rise is marked by murder, mayhem, and corruption. Known today as the criminal overlord, King Pin, Fisk's origins weren't so lavish. In fact, Fisk spent his childhood in abject poverty being bullied by his father and schoolyard peers. After murdering his father at age twelve, Fisk set out to begin a life of organized crime where he became Don Rigoletto's trusted bodyguard.
Fisk eventually killed Rigoletto and assumed control of the family's operations. King Pin also owns several legitimate ventures and businesses throughout the world such a Japan, all of which contribute to his billionaire status.
5 Tony Stark - 80 Billion
Whenever "richest character lists" get thrown around on the internet, they all invariably share one thing in common: the inclusion of billionaire, philanthropist, playboy, and superhero Tony Stark aka Iron Man. Born into a sea of wealth, Stark is one of the richest characters on Earth-616, a perk of being the son and sole heir of legendary weapons designer Howard Stark. And after the passing of Tony's parents in a tragic car accident, Stark inherited all of his family's assets, making him the new official head of Stark Industries.
The list of Tony's assets includes everything from liquid cash to patents to real estate to contracts and advanced technologies -- tech that Tony would eventually use for the betterment of humankind.
4 Victor von Doom - 100 Billion
Victor von Doom aka Doctor Doom is one of Marvel’s most notorious—and richest—super villains. With a net worth estimated somewhere near 100 billion, von Doom’s rise from exiled refuge to moonbase monarch is one of sheer remarkability.
According to creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Doom’s desire for wealth and power began after his mother died striking a bargain with the demon Mephisto. Doom left his home country of Latveria to make something of himself, eventually working alongside top minds like Reed Richards, and launching his own company Von Doom Industries. In that time, Doom built a massive financial empire through patents, bleeding-edge energy tech, commodities, nuclear stockpiles, and real estate. Plus, he also rules a country. Yes, Doom later returned to his ancestral homeland where he seized the throne and claimed control of all state assets, making Latveria one of the richest countries on Earth-616.
3 Blackagar Boltagon - 250 Billion
Blackagar Boltagon, otherwise known as Black Bolt, is the quiet leader of the Inhumans and is as powerful as he is rich. With ultra-advanced technology at his right hand, and the city of Atillan under his feet, Blackagar's wealth far supersedes mere monetary assets.
What exactly does Blackagar own that makes him worth so much? The Terrigen Crystals. The Terrigen Crystals are precious stones that produce Terrigen Mist, a gaseous vapor responsible for giving Inhumans their superpowers. These crystals by themselves are worth over a hundred billion dollars, catapulting the silent king into the top one percent of the top one percent.
2 Namor McKenzie - 280 Billion
Imagine a character so rich and so powerful they easily turned down membership to uber-elite Hellfire Club. Sound far-fetched? Well, it happened, and Namor Mckenzie aka Namor the Submariner was the man to do it. Born into the royal family of the Atlantis, Namor is the second wealthiest character in the Marvel universe with an estimated net worth of around 300 billion.
Precisely how did the former member of The Invaders procure such a massive stash of cash? Mainly, by being the ruler of an ancient, advanced civilization that owns all land-space, wildlife, and mineral deposits under the ocean (including the water). This makes Namor the largest real estate, food supply, and commodities entity on Earth. And since Atlantians can explore where humans can't, Namor finds himself uniquely positioned to mine the cornucopia of resources dwelling within the murky depths.
1 T'Challa - 500 Billion
If Namor McKenzie owns Earth's most abundant resource, T’Challa aka Black Panther possesses its most precious: the energy-absorbing space element vibranium.
When the vibranium comet first landed in Wakanda, the nation took full control over the isotope, positioning the country to construct a hyper-advanced civilization that, in turn, would grow into the richest state on Earth. Because of this, T'Challa inherited the title of world's richest man, thrusting the young monarch at the forefront of power beyond imagination.
Overall, because of the accumulated worth of all Wakandan assets plus personal investments, T'challa easily tops the list of richest characters in the Marvel Universe.