The Mali Empire ruler you are looking for is Mansa Musa.

Who he was

Mansa Musa was a 14th‑century emperor of the Mali Empire in West Africa, ruling during its height of power and wealth. He is often described in modern media and popular history as one of the richest individuals to have ever lived.

Why people say he “crashed” gold

The famous story comes from his pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca around 1324, during which he traveled with a massive caravan loaded with gold. Along the way, especially in cities like Cairo, he is said to have given away and spent so much gold that it caused a glut in the market and contributed to inflation and a drop in the metal’s value for years.

How accurate is that story?

  • Many modern articles and videos repeat the idea that he “single‑handedly” devalued gold across parts of North Africa and the Middle East.
  • Some historians and commentators argue this is exaggerated, noting that contemporary sources show gold prices moved up and down for many reasons and that his impact was likely one notable fluctuation among others.

So, for the crossword‑style clue “mali empire ruler who single-handedly made the value of gold almost worthless by giving away so much of it” , the intended answer is MANSA MUSA.

Meta description (SEO‑style):
Discover why the answer to “mali empire ruler who single-handedly made the value of gold almost worthless by giving away so much of it” is Mansa Musa, the legendary 14th‑century Mali emperor famed for his gold‑laden pilgrimage and its dramatic impact on regional economies.

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