Jakob Fuggerwas not only the richest man of the 16th century, he was also a strict Catholic.
He wanted to help poor people in his hometown of Augsburg – and secure his own salvation. In 1521, the merchant built the Fuggerei, a social housing complex with 67 homes. He also set some rules in the foundation document which apply even to this day:  all residents must be Catholic, they'll pay only 88 cents in rent, and pray three times a day for him and his family.