If you’ve paid attention to the Forbes 400, you know that the super-rich keep getting super-richer. Admission to the list started at a whopping $1.7 billion in 2015, up $150 million from a year ago. What’s even crazier is that 145 US billionaires still failed to make the list.[1]
So, what are all these billionaires spending their money on? Here’s a list of eight outrageous items purchased by these and other super-wealthy people.
27-story skyscraper home: $2 Billion
How does 4 million square meters of space sound? That’s the size of Mukesh Ambani’s 27-story skyscraper home in South Mumbai, India. The billionaire businessman hires a staff of 600 workers just to maintain his residence.[2] As of 2014, the skyscraper was deemed to be the world’s second-most expensive residence behind Buckingham Palace.[3]
Largest Yacht in the world: £700 Million
Russian businessman Roman Abramovich redefined what it means to splurge by acquiring the world’s largest yacht for £700 million. For those of you not familiar with fancy symbols, that’s 700 million British pounds, which translates into an absolutely staggering $1.04 billion US dollars as of December 2015. Please think about that for a second.
Gold fitted Boeing 747 jet: $520 Million
You’ve likely never heard of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah. All you need to know is that he’s the Sultan of Brunei, a tiny Asian country on the island of Borneo. Mr. Bolkiah loves gold so much that he gold-plated an entire Boeing 747, which reportedly cost $120 million on top of the $400 price tag for the jet.[4]
The world’s most expensive statue: $141.3 Million
Alberto Giacometti’s bronze “pointing man” statue was sold to billionaire hedge fund manager Steven Cohen for a staggering $141.3 million. A simple Google image of this thing proves that beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder.
Woman III painting: $137.5 Million
By now you should know that Steven Cohen is an avid art collector. This will make you less aghast to find out that he purchased a Williem de Koonig painting for $137.5 million. The controversial Woman III painting looks like a scribble of a female form.[5] Google the painting if you think you can make it out.
California lakeside home: $110 Million
Billionaire entrepreneur Larry Ellison owns many homes, including a $110 million lake house in Woodside, California. The house, which is modeled after Japanese architecture, sits on 2.3 acres of man-made land.[6]
Leonardo da Vinci notebook: $30.8 Million
Billionaire entrepreneur and Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates is incredibly fond of Leonardo da Vinci. That’s why in 1994 he spent $30.8 million to buy Mr. da Vinci’s “Codex Leicester,” a scientific notebook that dates back to the 16th century. The purchase made it the most expensive book ever sold.[7]
Gold-plated Rolls Royce convertible: $14 Million
The Sultan of Brunei makes the list again, this time with a $14 million gold-plated Rolls Royce convertible, which originally belonged to the Maharaja of Rajkot. The 1934 Rolls Royce, which is simply known as the Star of India, was part of Hans-Gunther Zach’s private Rolls Royce collection before being acquired by the Sultan.[8]
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[1] Forbes 400. Inside The 2015 Forbes 400.
[2] Forbes. The World’s Most Expensive Billionaire Homes.
[3] Richard Spillett (November 4, 2014). “World’s most expensive homes.” Daily Mail.
[4] Saurabh Shukla (December 20, 2012). “Meet the $40 billion sultan who flies his own jumbo jet… and it comes complete with solid gold and crystal interior.” Mail Online India.
[5] Twisted Sifter (November 4, 2010). “10 Most Expensive Paintings Sold in the 21st Century.” Twisted Sifter.
[6] House & Architecture Design. “Japanese Palace Style of Oracle CEO House.”
[7] Madeline Stone (July 13, 2015). “Look inside the rare Leonardo da Vinci notebook that Bill Gates paid more than $30 million for.” Business Insider.
[8] Economic Times. (August 19, 2009). “Maharaja of Rajkot’s Rolls Royce to become world’s most expensive car.” Economic Times.
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