WORLD’S RICHEST MAN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21530, 30 December 1931, Page 12

WORLD’S RICHEST MAN

BUSHELS OF DIAMONDS BIG GIFTS TO SONS’ BRIDES. Osman AM Khan, Nizam of Hyderabad, and probably the wealthiest man in the world, arranged at Nice,' France, recently for the marriage of liis two sons and sealed the contract with gills of £40,000 in cash and jewels worth £200.000. The double wedding which was performed with gorgeous ceremony at Nice, unites the dynasty of the principal native Stale in India with the house of Prince Abdul Mcdpid Effendi. former Caliph at Istanbul. Prince Azam Jah, aged 24, heir to (he throne of Hyderabad and to the groat stores of gold and piecious stones accumulated through the centuries by the mogul emperors, became the husband of Princess Durai Shehvar, aged 18. She is slim, brunette, and the epitome of Oriental beauty. She is the only daughter of the former Caliph. Prince Mozzam Jah, younger son of the Nizam, wedded Princess Nilufar, aged IG, niece of the former Caliph. There is a Cinderella .touch to the romances, for "Since the caliph was exiled from Turkey seven years ago by Mustaplta Kcmal. lie has been forced to rely on the generosity of his faithful to keep his household going. Once ho ruled untold wealth. The jewels of the caliphate alone were valued at £40,000,000. Now, at the age of 70, he lives in a suburban villa at Nice, and one of the sources of his livelihood has been an allowance of £3OO a mouth from the Nizam. Under the terms of the marriage agreement that stipend is increased to £4OO. and his daughter and niece who have shared his evil days, are raised to riches. The brides were the recipients of the Nizam’s gifts of £40,000 cash and £200.000 in jewels. The former Caliph, supreme spiritual ruler over 300.000,000 Mohammedans, himself celebrated the marriage ceremony, which took place on the birthday of the Nizam, most faithful of Mohammedan rulers.

Tlic Nizam of Hyderabad has power of life and death over his 15,000,000 subjects, and is so wealthy that his gold alone is estimated at £100.000,000. He is believed to be worth £IOO 000,000. or more than Ihe combined wealth of the Rockefellers, Fords and Morgans. His wealth, which includes bushels of diamonds and other precious stones, is matched by his magnificence of title.