History·14 March 2026·4 min read
The Fuggers — the bankers who made and unmade emperors
A family of merchants from Augsburg grew so rich they lent to kings and bought crowns.
In the 15th–16th centuries, the Fugger family of Augsburg built one of the greatest fortunes in history, from trade and silver and copper mining, and became banker to emperors.
Money for crowns
Jakob Fugger lent colossal sums to Charles V, helping him buy (through bribery) the title of emperor. It's perhaps the clearest historical example that money can buy political power — an eternal lesson.
