Richest Pirates in History

Overview

This lecture discusses some of the most notorious and richest pirates throughout history, including their careers, major exploits, and the estimated wealth they accumulated.

Blackbeard (Edward Teach)

• Background: Known as Edward Teach, English pirate, during early 1700s.
• Career Start: Started as a privateer during Queen Anne’s War.
• Rise to Infamy: Became captain after serving under Benjamin Hornigold.
• Queen Anne’s Revenge: Renamed captured French ship, armed it with 40 cannons.
• Tactics: Known for intimidation and a menacing appearance with a lit fuse entwined beard.
• Demise: Killed in 1718; career amassed $18.5 million (2025 values).

Captain John Holley

• Career Start: Privateer for English crown in 1704, targeted French and Spanish ships.
• Pirate Turn: Turned to piracy after his letter of marque expired.
• Significant Exploit: Captured two English warships in Red Sea.
• Demise: Lost ships and fortune in hurricane; died shortly after.
• Wealth: Estimated $19.4 million (modern-day value).

Henry Morgan

• Background: Welsh origin, active in mid-1600s in the Caribbean.
• Career Highlights: Successful attacks on Spanish settlements.
• Significant Exploit: Raided Panama City with minimal losses.
• Later Life: Knighted but fell into alcoholism; owned plantations and slaves.
• Wealth: Estimated $19.6 million.

Jean Flurry

• Background: French privateer during France-Spain conflict.
• Major Exploit: Captured two Spanish treasure galleons loaded with wealth.
• Demise: Captured and hanged by Spanish in 1527.
• Wealth: Estimated $47.1 million.

Black Bart (Bartholomew Roberts)

• Background: Active early 1700s, originally a slave ship officer.
• Rise to Power: Elected captain after capturing ship with Howell Davis.
• Notable Achievements: Over 400 ships captured, created pirate code, used Jolly Roger flag.
• Demise: Killed by grapeshot in 1722.
• Wealth: Estimated $48.2 million.

Thomas Tew

• Background: Privateer turned pirate in late 17th century.
• Significant Exploit: Captured Indian sloop with millions in goods.
• Demise: Killed by cannonball in combat.
• Wealth: Estimated $151.9 million.

Sir Francis Drake

• Background: English privateer, explorer, and naval officer.
• Major Exploits: Circumnavigated the globe, attacked Spanish possessions.
• Wealth: Estimated $170.3 million.

Black Sam Bellamy

• Background: Known as the wealthiest pirate, career lasted just over a year.
• Major Exploit: Captured the Whydah Gally and amassed significant wealth.
• Demise: Died in 1717 when his ship capsized in a storm.
• Wealth: Estimated $177.5 million.

Conclusion

• Pirate Careers: Often short-lived but could be immensely profitable.
• Legacy: Many pirates left a significant impact on maritime history and lore.