The Astonishing Purchases Of The Elite
Wealth often brings freedom, but for some, it fuels mind-bending indulgences that defy all logic. Since they don’t worry about the price tag, why wouldn’t rich folks buy whatever they crave, no matter how ridiculous?
Private Submarines
With a deep pocket, nothing is out of reach, including the oceans’ depth. Private submarines are personal underwater vessels custom-built for leisure. But why buy one? For some, it’s about exclusivity—the chance to venture where few have gone before. For others, it’s simply a status symbol.
A Dive Into Excess
Unlike jets or yachts, submarines have limited usability, with most models restricted to certain depths and requiring careful planning for each outing. Many of these purchases don’t have the best outcome. Yes, we’re referring to the 2023 Titan unfortunate incident.
Madelgarius, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Tickets To Outer Space
After exploring every corner of the Earth, some wealthy people turn their heads to the sky for their next vacation destination. Billionaires like Jeff Bezos, Charles Simonyi, Richard Branson, and Eytan Stibbe are all space tourists, and the list keeps growing.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
Reaching For The Stars
Companies like Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, and SpaceX are turning space tourism into a burgeoning industry by offering private citizens the chance to leave Earth—albeit briefly. However, many criticize the endeavor for its extravagance and environmental impact.
Ronrosano, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Superyachts
Superyachts like History Supreme and Eclipse cost billions of dollars, but some swear they are worth every penny. Some rumors mentioned that Malaysian businessman Robert Kuok owns History Supreme, which has a real meteorite buried in one of its walls. Yet, many believe it’s just a hoax.
The $4.8 Billion GOLD History Supreme Yacht by Rem Report
Floating Palaces
Gold and other precious metals are used all over these exclusive yachts. Other features might include swimming pools, spas, and private runways. Rich people usually invite guests and host extravagant parties onboard, away from the press.
Private Jets
Even those who don’t own them rent them. Yes, we’re talking about private jets that offer the ultimate in convenience, privacy, and luxury. Additionally, they allow the ultra-rich to bypass the hassles of airport security and set their own schedules.
Owning The Sky
Do you think one jet is enough? Some billionaires like Elon Musk disagree. He currently owns four after adding a $78 million Gulfstream G700 to his fleet. Most private planes are customized to reflect the owner’s taste, with full bedrooms, gourmet kitchens, private cinemas, and even onboard spas.
ZLEA, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Random Auction Items
Is it a strand of Napoleon’s hair? Dinosaur fossils? Bizarre auction purchases are a way for the rich to own a piece of history—or, more cynically, to show off. Most of these items have no actual value, but they’d still pay a six or seven price tag for them.
Stolbovsky, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Sense Has Left The Building
Actors like Nicholas Cage, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Russel Crowe have all bought fossils. William Koch, the less famous Koch brother, allegedly paid more than $2 million for the only authenticated photo of the famous criminal Billy the Kid.
Ben Wittick, Wikimedia Commons
Diamond Or Gold Phones
For years, mobile manufacturers have produced limited editions of their latest phones encrusted with diamonds or plated with gold. Prices for these devices can range from $50,000 to millions of dollars, depending on the level of customization.
Hello, Is It Me You’re Looking For?
Nita Ambani is the wife of Mukesh Ambani, who is probably the richest man in Asia and she allegedly owns the world’s most expensive iPhone. The Falcon Supernova iPhone 6 Pink Diamond Edition features a 24-karat gold casing and a massive pink diamond on the back.
Most Expensive Iphone In The World by World Luxury Defined
Exclusive License Plates
Why not tell everyone who you are if you have some cash to spare? This is probably what an Emirati businessman thought about when he purchased the license plate “1” for $14.3 million at a government auction in Abu Dhabi.
Numbers Worth Millions
In places like Dubai, exclusive plates often signify a higher social standing, turning a mundane item into a badge of honor. Unique or prestigious plate numbers are seen as status symbols, particularly in the Middle East and Asia, where they’re sold for staggering prices.
Private Islands
When a tropical vacation isn’t enough, the wealthy go a step further by purchasing entire islands. Owning a private island has long been a symbol of ultimate exclusivity as it offers complete seclusion and the ability to create a personalized paradise.
Owning Paradise
Prices for private islands vary dramatically, starting at around $1 million for smaller, undeveloped plots and soaring into the hundreds of millions for lavish, fully-developed retreats. And it doesn’t stop here, as celebs usually pay huge amounts for upkeep and maintenance.
Cars
While most people aspire to own a luxury car or two, billionaires take this to an entirely different level. They invest in hypercars, vintage vehicles, and even concept models that are custom-built to their specifications. While such cars show incredible craftsmanship, the level of excess is hard to ignore.
Beyond The Road
A prime example of extravagant spending on cars is the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail, priced at a jaw-dropping $30 million. This unique vehicle includes a rear deck that opens into a picnic set, complete with a champagne fridge and custom-designed parasols.
Ellogofusciohippopokuniourius, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Exclusive Clothing Items
For billionaires, clothing is a statement of exclusivity. Haute couture and custom-made pieces from designers like Chanel, Dior, and Gucci can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. What sets these items apart is the fact that they’re often designed specifically for the buyer.
Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Price Of Wearing Wealth
Gold shirts, engraved initials, and diamond bras are all on the shopping list of some rich people. The absurdity lies in the fact that these items are rarely worn more than once. Many of them end up stored in climate-controlled closets as investments or trophies rather than functional clothing.
The Portable Antiquities Scheme/ The Trustees of the British Museum, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fancy Furniture
Luxury furniture is another area where billionaires indulge in excess by often commissioning custom pieces or purchasing historical antiques. Prince Hans Adam II bought $36 million for the Badminton Cabinet, a Florentine ebony piece with precious stones like lapis lazuli and agate.
18th century cabinet sells for record breaking price by AP Archive
When Price Is No Issue
Several furniture designers create exclusive pieces made of gold, ebony, and mother-of-pearl that usually take years to complete. Although these items can indeed be breathtaking, their practicality is often questioned. After all, no dining table—regardless of its craftsmanship—can justify the price of a small island.
Belongings Of Celebrities
Some people would go above and beyond to own an item that once belonged to their favorite celebrity. Marilyn Monroe’s dresses, Elvis Presley’s cars, and other celebrity memorabilia frequently sell for astronomical sums at auctions. These items often cost far more than their practical value.
Thomas R Machnitzki, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Owning Fame in Physical Form
You can’t believe what one might pay for a pair of gloves, a hand-written letter, or even a used chewing gum! Yes, someone bought Britney Spears’ for $14,000. Most of these purchases are kept private as they reflect a form of idolization taken to extremes.
Plastic Surgery
If you have the money and the time, why not spend a little extra to look your best, right? Yes, but some millionaires are willing to pay ridiculous amounts to achieve perfection—or their interpretation of it. The results are sometimes outwardly.
Redefining The Limits Of Vanity
With most of them trying too hard to stay under the spotlight, some rich people go through experimental treatment and full-body transformations. Jocelyn Wildenstein is an example of someone who eventually went bankrupt for their extravagant lifestyle, which included surgeries that made her look unrecognizable.
Special Medical Services
Health is wealth—but for billionaires, health also comes with exclusivity. Private medical services tailored specifically for the ultra-wealthy often include 24/7 access to top physicians, concierge healthcare, and custom-built medical facilities. Some billionaires also hire personal doctors who travel with them all the time.
Health Exclusivity At A Price
Prices for premium and exclusive healthcare vary depending on the duration and type of service provided. Some rich people also invest in private hospital wings in their homes or their yachts, complete with operating rooms and intensive care units for any emergency.
Gold Bathrooms
If there’s one indulgence that symbolizes ridiculous excess, it’s the gold-plated bathroom. These lavish spaces, adorned with gold fixtures, tiles, and even toilets, can cost millions of dollars. The Sultan of Brunei is allegedly the most famous proponent of this extravagance.
Tim Adams, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Midas Touch Gone Too Far
Despite being undeniably flashy, gold bathrooms are the subject of ridicule for their sheer impracticality. Gold is prone to scratches and requires constant maintenance to keep its luster. Moreover, the idea of spending millions on a toilet emphasizes the absurdity of extreme wealth.
MossAlbatross, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Renting Celebrities
Did you know that rich people actually pay to rent celebrities? Some can hire Mariah Carey to sing one song. Others hire A-list actors, musicians, or athletes for a dinner appearance or a few hours of mingling to ensure that their event is unforgettable.
Filipe Vicente, CC BY 2.5, Wikimedia Commons
Borrowing Fame For A Night
While most celebs do it for free, some websites hire famous people to sing a song or send someone a personal message. However, paying someone to attend a wedding or dinner is fleeting and highly orchestrated, with little meaningful interaction.
Davidwbaker, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Exclusive Movie Releases
For many, spending a fortune on a slightly earlier viewing of a movie is absurd. But for the wealthy, it’s just another way to assert their privilege and avoid mingling with the masses. These screenings take place in private cinemas or even in the comfort of their mansions.
Private Cinemas For The Elite
Watching a movie in a theater is a communal experience—unless you’re a billionaire. For the ultra-rich, public theaters are too pedestrian, which made exclusive movie releases popular. Studios now cater to wealthy individuals by offering private screenings of blockbuster films, often accompanied by gourmet catering and premium service.
Personal Concierge Services
Want to plan an event? Attend the Super Bowl? Book at a luxurious hotel at the very last minute? That’s where personal concierge services come in—dedicated professionals or companies that manage every aspect of their client’s life. These services often work 24/7 to fulfill rich people’s every whim.
Life On Autopilot
Top-tier concierge services charge annual memberships, with high-level packages that may cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. These memberships grant clients access to a global network of experts who can deliver any request at any time, no matter how obscure.
Expensive Pet Accessories
To most of us, pets are family. But the ultra-rich take things too far with designer collars and gourmet treats that cost thousands of dollars. Although it’s heartwarming to see animals cared for, the extravagance often raises eyebrows as such spending could be directed toward animal welfare causes.
Top4dogs, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Pampering Beyond Belief
A notable example is a $3.2 million dog collar known as Amour Amour. It features 1,600 diamonds set in platinum and white gold with a big diamond in the center. Some owners create climate-controlled pet mansions with heating, air conditioning, and even miniature swimming pools.
i Love Dogs Diamonds' Amour, Amour on E!'s Most Expensive -- Diamond Dog Collar by iLoveDogsInc
Preserved Animals
For some wealthy collectors, owning a preserved animal is a way of displaying eccentric tastes or appreciation for its history—whether a taxidermy piece or a full skeleton. Rare specimens, such as extinct species or exotic animals, can be sold for millions at auction.
Science History Institute, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Taxidermy As A Trophy
Steve Cohen famously bought a 14-foot preserved shark that he keeps for display. However, these acquisitions are often viewed as eccentric or unethical, particularly when sourced illegally. The trend illustrates how some people turn natural history into a private spectacle.
Agent001, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Vintage Items
Vintage collecting is another area where the wealthy go to extremes by bidding exorbitant amounts on items with historical or sentimental value. Some buy classic cars, and others spend fortunes on vintage watches and rare wine collections.
Nostalgia At A Premium
Old items, whether they belonged to someone famous or not, carry a glimpse of the past. Yet, too many of the prices paid can appear ludicrous. After all, a watch that cost a few hundred dollars when it was new might not be any more functional than a cheaper modern equivalent.
Rama, CC BY-SA 2.0 FR, Wikimedia Commons
Artwork
Art has always been a playground for the ultra-wealthy, where a painting or sculpture can become an investment and a statement piece. Billionaires spend hundreds of millions on artwork and often push prices to astronomical levels at auctions.
The Price Of Immortality
Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi became the world’s most expensive piece of art ever sold when it fetched $450.3 million in 2017. Jeff Koons’ sculpture Rabbit sold for $91.1 million in 2019, and Banksy’s Love is in the Bin shocked the art world with its $25.4 million sale.
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