Who was the most selfish person in history?

 

This is Jean-Bedel Bokassa.

He was a distinguished Captain of the French Army. When Central Africa gained independence, however, he left the French military to become the head of the Central African army. By 1966, Bokassa overthrew President Dacko and named himself leader.

During his reign, Central Africa continued to struggle — a lot. The region’s only true wealth came from mining, but numerous foreign companies already dominated those resources.

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Despite his people’s struggles, Bokassa decided to live out his dream.

See, Jean grew quite an obsession with Napoleon. Napoleon was his idol, and he wanted to be just like him. So in 1977, Bokassa named himself Emperor of Central Africa.

The new Emperor’s coronation was an extravagant affair, to say the least. His obsession with Napoleon led him to copy much of the former French leader’s luxuries, even going to the same firm who made Napoleon’s robes to make him one.

The entire event cost a whopping $20 million, or a third of the nation’s entire annual budget.