1. By Jordan Rinaudo

2. Mansa Musa was born in 1280, and not much was known about his childhood.

3. He was named Emperor of Mali in 1312, after the death of his predecessor, Abu-Bakr the second. Mansa Musa is most known for being the richest man in history. He owned around 400 billion dollars worth of gold. He is also known for his 4,000 mile pilgrimage to Mecca, which he was the first to do from western Africa.

4. Mansa Musa died in 1337 after a 25-year reign as emperor. His son, Mahgan Musa, became the next emperor.

5. http://www.blackpast.org/gah/musa-mansa-1280-1337 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musa_I_of_Mali http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/17/mansa- musa-worlds-richest-man-all-time_n_1973840.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/17/mansa- musa-worlds-richest-man-all-time_n_1973840.html http://www.bookrags.com/biography/musa- mansa/#gsc.tab=0 http://www.bookrags.com/biography/musa- mansa/#gsc.tab=0