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How were society's super-rich seen in past centuries?

How were society's super-rich seen in past centuries?

Regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter explore how Elon Musk's forerunners were regarded, and how they accrued their wealth in the first place

Matt Elton

Published: June 18, 2026 at 7:07 AM

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US business leader Elon Musk has been in the headlines again in recent weeks, as a result of becoming the world's first trillionaire. But how were enormously rich people seen in past centuries? In this episode, regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter explore how Musk's forerunners were regarded, and how they accrued their wealth in the first place.

Meanwhile, a high-profile row about defence spending here in the UK has led to the resignation of two government ministers – but such arguments are nothing new. We look back at previous debates around how state finances have been used during periods of geopolitical uncertainty, and where the extra money has come from.

Finally, with the men's World Cup in full swing, we look back at a particularly unusual game of football in 17th-century Florence.

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Authors

Matt EltonPodcast editor

Matt Elton is the podcast editor at HistoryExtra