Meet the Fuggers: Europe’s richest family ever
Summary
This episode features historian Greg Steinmetz discussing Jacob Fugger, a 16th-century German banker who became the wealthiest individual in history. The discussion covers how Fugger leveraged meticulous bookkeeping and strategic loans to the Habsburgs and Papacy to build a vast empire in mining and finance. It also explores his pivotal role in the Protestant Reformation, where his financing of indulgences inadvertently sparked Martin Luther’s 95 Theses. The episode draws parallels between Fugger’s political influence and modern billionaires, highlighting his legacy as a pioneer of social h…
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