Houphouët-Boigny was known to display his wealth, explaining in 1983 that “People are surprised that I like gold. It’s just that I was born in it.”
He had homes in Paris, Italy and Switzerland and is said to have been worth $7 and $11 billion at the time of his death in 1993.
In 1985-1989, he constructed the biggest church in the world: the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, which he had made his capital in place of Abidjan. The church was built with the finest marble from Portugal and Italy, with 36 stained-glass windows, hand-made in Bordeaux, France, with an organ that is documented to reach volumes that could endanger one’s hearing. It was created to accommodate over 18,000 worshippers.
Houphouët-Boigny was criticised for this construction as it contributed to the country’s poverty and a debt of more than US$10 billion in 1987. Further, it’s construction happened at a time when Ivory Coast was recovering from a two-year drought and a decline in the economy since 1978, thanks to the drop in cocoa and coffee prices.
Anthony Madu, the 14-year-old Nigerian dancer from Lagos who gained admission to a prestigious ballet…
Actor-host Wayne Brady recently opened up about his early financial struggles in his now thriving…
Mia Arianna, also known as @mia.ariannaa on TikTok, helped her son become an honorary team…
Alvin Gauthier, a Grand Prairie USPS postman, recently went above and beyond to brighten a…
Maj. Gen. Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed is the first female commander of the air force and…
Benjamin E. Mays High School brought together its 272 senior class members for a meeting…
Afrika Owes' emotional response to learning that she had passed the bar exam on her…
A 49-year-old New York attorney was on April 26 sentenced to 10 years in federal…
During an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show on Wednesday, pop legend Cher opened up…
Authorities in Florida said an 11-year-old boy was accidentally shot and killed by his 14-year-old…
The famous Taylor Schlitz family is making headlines once more as the youngest of the…
Sony Pictures Entertainment has appointed Tahra Grant as its Chief Communications Officer. She replaces Robert…
Meet Ashley M. Fox, the founder of Empify and the first in her family to…
Tyra Banks, the iconic former host of Dancing With the Stars, has made a delightful…
A Brazilian woman named Érika de Souza, 42, is under investigation for manslaughter after authorities…