Even the most extravagant billionaires know how to splurge like true connoisseurs of excess.
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From towers of glass and steel to priceless masterpieces, the wealthy use their fortune to indulge in whimsical purchases that scream, “Look at me!” Whether it’s the most jaw-dropping, hollowed-out gold statue of a cat or just the oddest, their extravagant toys always provide ample fodder for amusement.
Dive in to explore a few of the jaw-dropping trifles owned by the richest of the rich—because if you’re going to squander your fortune, you might as well do it with flair.
Price Tag: $8 million to $12 million
While many people think an impressive fish tank is the apex of opulence, billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen took a different route. He decided a pickled shark was more his style. Enter “The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living,” an inviting title for a 14-foot tiger shark suspended in formaldehyde. Cohen took it home in 2004 for an undisclosed price, but rumor has it that it swam right into his wallet for $8 to $12 million. Because, who doesn’t need a fish with a higher price per inch than most luxury cars?
Just like the meme says, “Money can’t buy happiness,” but evidently it can buy a lot of weirdness.
Price Tag: $300 million
For Oracle’s Larry Ellison, no mere mansion will suffice. In 2012, he splurged on the Hawaiian island of Lanai for the bargain price of $300 million. Yes, you read that right—an entire island, because a regular home just doesn’t cut it when you’re in the billionaire club. Residents? Oh, just a casual population of 3,300 alongside two Four Seasons resorts. Not that you’d ever want to leave, especially with a night in one of those resorts running roughly $7,000. Choose your vacation lifestyle wisely, folks; it doesn’t get much more elite than this!
Who needs to invest wisely when you’ve got a tropical island to lounge on?
Price Tag: $2.3 million
William Koch, the often-overlooked Koch brother, isn’t here just to sip tea and throw shade on the mega-rich. He has a penchant for Wild West memorabilia, which he demonstrated when he bought the sole authenticated photograph of notorious outlaw Billy the Kid for $2.3 million. Imagine telling your friends, “You know, most guys just collect stamps; I have a multi-million-dollar photograph of a guy wanted in 1881!” Talk about making an interesting party story.
Ah, wealth truly breeds whimsy!
Price Tag: $500 million
Ken Griffin is an art collector with a penchant for the extravagant. He snatched up a pair of abstract impressionist paintings—one from Willem de Kooning and the other from Jackson Pollock—for a staggering $500 million. According to the Chicago Tribune, this is “one of the largest private art deals ever.” I guess when you’re a billionaire, you can show up to a gallery and say, “I’ll take that, and that, and make it a double!”
Is it art, or just an overpriced wall decoration? Who’s to say?
Price Tag: $30 million
Bill Gates snagged himself a piece of history when he dropped $30.8 million on the Codex Leicester—a manuscript by da Vinci filled with his ingenious thoughts and sketches. Because why not? It’s only the musings of a genius! Adjusted for inflation, that would be about $63 million today, but who’s counting when you can own a relic by a guy who dreamed up flying machines and robots?
Investing in history has its perks, right?
Price Tag: $5 billion
How about a Sultan for some serious car envy? The Sultan of Brunei owns a car collection like no other, boasting between 5,000 and 7,000 of the world’s finest and rarest vehicles, valued at a staggering $5 billion. Surprisingly, his garage is considered more luxurious than most five-star hotels. I mean, who doesn’t need 21 Lamborghinis and over 600 Rolls Royces parked in your driveway—not to forget the joy of lugging groceries home in such a ride!
Now that’s a dream collection to get lost in!
Price Tag: $36 million
In an extravagant display of taste, Prince Hans Adam II of Liechtenstein once spent $36 million on a decorative piece, the Badminton Cabinet. Dressed in 18th-century splendor and adorned with precious gemstones, it was the most lavish item in his royal decor. It’s enough to make one wonder if the prince had a prior bet with a personal decorator and lost spectacularly.
What’s the difference between a cabinet and a safe? Apparently, several million.
Price Tag: $250 million
Jeff Bezos, in a surprising twist of fate, acquired The Washington Post for a cool $250 million. Interestingly, he seemed to do it on a whim without even flipping through any pages first. Who knew owning a newspaper would get you all this attention? Since then, the Post has seen its ups and downs—much like a roller coaster ride through the unpredictable fun park that is media ownership.
Never say billionaires lack spontaneity!
Price Tag: $3.9 million
In an unforgettable evening full of artistry and wealthy aficionados, Maxim Viktorov showcased his new Guarneri del Gesu violin—one of the rarest instruments on the planet—at a private event. The violin is one of the 150 made by the renowned 18th-century craftsman. Who needs a mere car when you can own something that sings sweeter than any tune in the radest ride?
Just imagine the dinner parties!
Price Tag: $4 million
Jocelyn Wildenstein, the socialite extraordinaire, has made headlines not just for her colorful dating escapades but also for her $4 million investment in cosmetic surgery. She transformed her appearance into something that rivals the most intricate modern art piece—kudos for creativity, less so for practicality. If nothing else, she’s certainly made a name for herself in a most unorthodox fashion.
Who doesn’t want to be recognized for their “art”?
Price Tag: $44 billion
In a jaw-dropping move, Elon Musk made headlines when he acquired Twitter for an eye-popping $44 billion. This head-scratcher has left analysts questioning whether he really intended to spend that much or if he just accidentally dialed up a few too many zeros. Since the acquisition, Musk has rolled out changes—including rebranding Twitter to “X.” Apparently, one can never have too many “X’s” in a billionaire’s life.
But hey, if you have $44 billion to toss around like confetti, why not go big or go home?
And just to keep you entertained, the next time someone tells you to save for a rainy day, remind them of these splurges! Because spending millions on weird artifacts and high-end toys is obviously the universal language of fun.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The Curious Case of Billionaires and Their Exorbitant Purchases.
