Secrets of 9 billionaire private islands: butlers, bunkers and beaches

Luxury islands of the super-rich

When you're a multi-billionaire, spending your money is a difficult task. So what better way to off-load your fortune than with a dreamy private island well away from prying eyes and nosy paparazzi? From Richard Branson's celebrity haunt on Necker Island to Mark Zuckerberg's sprawling Hawaiian hideaway, these pristine private islands are where the mega-rich spend their holidays.

Read on, grab your sunglasses and let's take a tour of the ultimate paradise retreats of the world's wealthiest people...

Laucala Island – Dietrich Mateschitz

This spectacular paradise island in Fiji was owned by the late Red Bull co-founder, Dietrich Mateschitz, prior to his death in October 2022. The Austrian businessman was reported to be the 71st richest person in the world and worth a cool $27.4 billion (£21.6bn) according to Forbes.

Laucala Island – Dietrich Mateschitz

Spread over 3,500 acres (1,416ha) of land, the pristine Laucala boasts a virtually untouched tropical rainforest interior and exquisite sugar-white sand beaches fringed by coconut palms. With a wealth of natural resources, it would be the perfect prepper property for surviving the end of the world in style.

Laucala Island – Dietrich Mateschitz

Mateschitz purchased Laucala in 2003 for $10 million from the moneyed Forbes family – that's around $17.1 million (£13.5m) in today's money. He has since transformed the island into a super-luxurious, all-inclusive eco-resort operated by Como Hotels and Resorts.

The complex has an 18-hole golf course, a wellness centre, its own airstrip and a collection of five restaurants and bars, offering everything from beachside barbecues to fine dining experiences.

Laucala Island – Dietrich Mateschitz

In keeping with its ultra-exclusive ambiance, staying on Laucala doesn't come cheap. While guests enjoy unlimited vintage champagne, gourmet delicacies, watersports and so on, rates begin at a hefty $6,500 (£5.1k) a night, and then there's the cost of your private charter.

Not that money is an issue for entrepreneur Mark Mateschitz, who inherited his father's multibillion-dollar empire and is now worth around $38.9 billion (£30.6bn) according to Forbes.

Lanai – Larry Ellison

The biggest island in our round-up, Lanai (aka Pineapple Island) is a picturesque Hawaiian beauty spot. Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison owns a whopping 98% of the land on Lanai.

The sixth-largest island in the nation's chain of isles in the North Pacific Ocean, the apostrophe-shaped acreage is located in Maui County.

Lanai – Larry Ellison

Ellison spent an estimated $300 million (£237m) on his Pacific island purchase in June 2012. Relatively unspoiled, Lanai has no traffic lights or shopping malls and features 90,000 acres (36,421ha) of land, a 3,200-person town and two Four Seasons resorts.

As you'd expect, the island's hotels are of the five-star luxury variety. A room at the swanky Four Seasons Resort Lanai in Manele Bay, seen here, starts at around $2,347 (£1.9k) per night, so you'll need very deep pockets if you want to stay for a week.

Lanai – Larry Ellison

The north side of the island features stunning beaches and rugged natural landscapes, offering the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure.

But Ellison has plans to develop the urban footprint of the island and in 2019, he submitted a 30-year proposal costing $340 million (£268m) to the State Land Use Commission. This would potentially see 200 acres (81ha) turned into an industrial park, with extra housing built to bring the population up to 6,000 people and new amenities developed such as a university, film studios and a tennis academy.

Lanai – Larry Ellison

Of course, this isn't the only piece of extravagant real estate owned by Ellison. In 2020 the computer software tycoon snapped up a 15,514-square-foot (1,441sqm) beachfront mansion in North Palm Beach, Florida.

The estate cost him $80 million (£63m) but that doesn't mean Ellison was completely satisfied with his purchase. In August of 2022, Ellison re-listed the property for a whopping $145 million (£114m). It now appears to have been removed from the market.

Brecqhou – Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay

The former owners of The Telegraph newspaper and the Ritz Hotel in London, the Barclay brothers bought the island of Brecqhou in 1993. According to reports, the Barclay family had an estimated wealth of $8.1 billion (£6.4bn) in 2023.

The 74-acre (30ha) island is located off the coast of Sark in the Channel Islands, a group of English dependency islands in the English Channel. Brecqhou has its own village, chapel and pub, as well as vineyards and orchards.

Brecqhou – Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay

Starting out as painters and decorators before moving into property, the identical twin brothers paid $4.5 million for the island in 1993, the equivalent of $11.9 million (£9.4m) today when adjusted for inflation.

In a bid to create their earthly paradise, they conducted a huge landscape makeover on the island, shaving off cliff edges, creating lakes and engineering pockets of shelter from the salty Atlantic blasts that had made it impossible for anything to grow, reported British newspaper The Guardian.

Brecqhou – Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay

The billionaires also commissioned a mock-Gothic castle to be built on the island. Designed by British architect Quinlan Terry, the imposing property commands great views of the English Channel and features three-foot-thick (0.9m) granite walls, luxury reception rooms, two swimming pools and a helipad.

Sir David died unexpectedly aged 86 following a short illness in January 2021 and is rumoured to be buried on the island.

Brecqhou – Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay

Meanwhile, Sir Frederick, whose family were named the richest people in the Channel Islands on The Sunday Times Rich List 2023, is said to have been 'banned' from the island after a bitter falling-out between the brothers before David's death, leaving the future of the island unclear.

While it's impossible to stay overnight on Brecqhou, guests staying at any of the four luxury hotels in neighbouring Sark can visit the island, subject to security clearance.

Sampson Cay – John Malone

This heart-stoppingly beautiful Bahamian cay is the property of Liberty Media mogul John Malone. As the second-largest landowner in the United States, Malone is worth a reported $9.6 billion (£7.6bn) and is one of the richest people in America.

Sampson Cay – John Malone

Malone is far from the only prominent billionaire to own an island in the Bahamas – this area of the Caribbean has long been a favourite among the rich and famous. Indeed, LVMH Chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault holds the deeds to nearby Indigo Island. Arnault is one of the richest people in the world according to Forbes.

Sampson Cay – John Malone

It's not clear when exactly Malone purchased Sampson Cay, however, he may have initially been drawn to the island as a business investment. The isle was home to a popular resort and marina and was extremely popular with affluent yacht owners.

According to CNBC, vacations in this picturesque corner of the world don't come cheap. Back in 2012, the publication reported that the cost of a week's holiday on Sampson Cay came in at around $8,000. In today's money, that's around $10,943 (£8.6k).

Sampson Cay – John Malone

The idyllic island covers a total of 31 acres (21.5ha) and seriously wows with some of the most stunning white-sand beaches in the Bahamas.

In 2013, Malone made the decision to close Sampson Cay to vacationers and the general public. Instead, the paradise isle was transformed into a private retreat for the billionaire's friends and family.

Velaa – Jiří Šmejc

Velaa, a 19.4-acre (7.9ha) atoll in the Maldives, is owned by Czech billionaire Jiří Šmejc and his wife Radka.

According to Forbes, Šmejc made his fortune through his involvement in selling his country's largest TV channel to cosmetics mogul Ronald Lauder (of Estée Lauder) in 2004. He was also CEO of Home Credit, a quick loans company, until he stepped down in 2018. Šmejc is currently the founder and CEO of investment group EMMA.

Velaa – Jiří Šmejc

Built at a cost of $200 million (£158m) in 2014, the resort consists of 42 palatial thatched villas and benefits from a wide array of facilities. These include a restaurant headed by a Michelin-starred chef, a golf course, state-of-the-art watersports gadgets, shaded tennis courts and the Velaa Spa, which has partnered with Dr Burgener Switzerland, a leading expert in beauty and rejuvenation.

Velaa – Jiří Šmejc

An exclusive boutique hideaway, Velaa island has been voted one of the world's top high-end resorts and it isn't difficult to see why. Architect Petr Kolár designed the island to meet the billionaire's exacting standards, filling a niche for ultra-private getaways that allow freedom and entertainment in equal measure.

Velaa – Jiří Šmejc

Part private bolthole and part exclusive holiday destination, the island can comfortably accommodate up to 80 guests who are each assigned a personal butler. During your stay, you can enjoy sunset boat trips to go dolphin watching, private meditation sessions in the elevated yoga pavilion and one-on-one golf tuition from PGA professionals.

It doesn't come cheap, however – prices begin from around $3,202 (£2.5k) per night for a Sunrise Water Pool Villa.

Skorpios – Ekaterina Rybolovleva

The legendary 74-acre (30ha) Skorpios Island in Greece, which once belonged to the late shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis, was snapped up in 2013 by Ekaterina Rybolovleva, the daughter of Russian businessman Dmitry Rybolovlev. The oligarch is said to have a reported net worth of around $6.4 billion (£5.1bn).

Skorpios – Ekaterina Rybolovleva

During the 2000s and early 2010s, Madonna, Bill Gates and Giorgio Armani reportedly tried and failed to purchase the Greek island, which was bought by Rybolovlev for an estimated $150 million (£118m).

The island was the pet project of Onassis, who imported trees and sand to create a verdant oasis. He also built residences for himself and his wife Jackie Onassis, the widow of President John F. Kennedy, so the pair could enjoy vacationing in total privacy.

Skorpios – Ekaterina Rybolovleva

The private island is set just off the western coast of Greece in the tranquil Ionian Sea. It features three rustic-style villas, a requisite billionaire helipad and a quay for those all-important yachts, not to mention plenty of wooded parklands and a sandy beach.

Heiress Rybolovleva married businessman Juan Sartori on Skorpios in 2015, some 47 years after the former first lady chose it as the site for her own wedding.

Skorpios – Ekaterina Rybolovleva

Rybolovleva has spoken about her passion for the island, calling it her "personal refuge" in an exclusive interview with the Greek newspaper To Vima. "It is my second home... and the place where I can relax and feel totally free. It is also sacred, full of history, tradition and respect. All this is due to the legacy that Aristotle Onassis has left behind," she said.

However, British newspaper the Daily Mail reported that Dmitry Rybolovlev's company, Mykinai SA, is planning to transform Skorpios into an exclusive €1 million-a-week ($1.1m/£847k) mega-resort for no more than 50 guests at a time by summer 2024. There's been no formal launch yet so it appears that work is still ongoing...

Necker Island – Sir Richard Branson

Sir Richard Branson's Caribbean jewel, Necker Island is heaven on earth. A vacay magnet for billionaires, royalty and A-list celebrities, everyone from Barack Obama to Google billionaire Larry Page has stayed on the island. British model Kate Moss held her 40th birthday bash on Necker and the island has hosted members of the British Royal Family including the late Princess Diana, Prince Harry and Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales.

Necker Island – Sir Richard Branson

Richard Branson bought Necker Island in 1979, for the staggeringly low price of $120,000. Even today, that's a mere $519,000 (£409k) when adjusted for inflation.

He soon made the island his permanent residence and set about constructing an 11-bedroom Balinese-style home, which he called the Great House.

Necker Island – Sir Richard Branson

Yet Branson lost his dream home twice. The property was gutted in 2011 by a fire sparked by Storm Irene, before being flattened by Hurricane Irma in September 2017. Following both disasters, the property was rebuilt at a great cost.

Necker Island – Sir Richard Branson

Although it is possible to rent the entire island at a cost of around $154,958 (£122.2k) per night, Branson announced he was making the uber-exclusive private resort with its Balinese-inspired interiors available to individuals over the festive period in 2023, reported British newspaper The Mirror. Rates started from $5,400 (£4.3k) per night based on two people sharing a room.

Moskito Island – Sir Richard Branson

Not just satisfied with one private island, the 73-year-old billionaire acquired the neighbouring island of Moskito in 2007 for $12.6 million, around $19 million (£15m) in today's money. Branson has spent a fortune turning the gorgeous 125-acre (50.6ha) Caribbean idyll into an upscale eco-resort.

Moskito Island – Sir Richard Branson

The ultimate celebrity holiday home, the island features a number of well-appointed villas that make up Branson's private family estate, plus a huge pool, several nature trails, an organic garden and a sustainable recreation area.

Moskito Island – Sir Richard Branson

A haven for well-heeled hippies, Moskito is all about sustainability. As much as 80% of the island's energy supply comes from renewable sources and Moskito is home to a sanctuary for endangered ring-tailed lemurs.

Moskito Island – Sir Richard Branson

When the Branson family isn't staying here, the Caribbean island is available for hire. The Branson Estate, suitable for 22 guests, costs a whopping $25,360 (£20k) per night.

Featuring shorelines laced with white sands, turquoise seas and all the luxuries you can imagine, this ultra-exclusive destination is like stepping into a dream.

Kauai, Hawaii – Mark Zuckerberg

In 2004 at the age of just 19, Mark Zuckerberg co-founded one of the world's most successful digital platforms, Facebook, now renamed Meta Platforms. Just 20 years later, the entrepreneur is considered to be one of the richest people in the world with an estimated net worth of around $178.7 billion (£140bn), according to Forbes.

As well as using his money to support good causes, Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have also invested plenty of pennies in eye-watering real estate, including a large part of the Hawaiian island of Kauai.

Kauai, Hawaii – Mark Zuckerberg

Zuckerberg has been buying up land on Kauai for years and currently owns three separate estates. In 2014, the American media magnate acquired about 700 acres (283ha) of land on Kauai for more than $100 million (£79m).

In March 2021, he expanded his estate again to include another 600-acre (243ha) parcel. This time, Zuckerberg paid a reported $53 million (£41.8m) for the spread, which can be found on the remote waterfront of Larsen’s Beach.

Kauai, Hawaii – Mark Zuckerberg

But the community in Kauai isn't too happy with Zuckerberg's purchases. In 2015, he was accused of attempting to force residents to sell the neighbouring land to him, while other Hawaiians are said to have inherited the land without a formal deed, putting ownership rights into question.

Zuckerberg is even thought to have filed several lawsuits against Kauaians during the land battle, causing plenty of anger and controversy. The suits have since been dropped.

Kauai, Hawaii – Mark Zuckerberg

In December 2023, a staggering exposé by WIRED revealed yet more details regarding Zuckerberg's future development for the Hawaiian land. According to the publication, Zuckerberg is building a secretive $100 million (£79m) compound complete with an underground bunker.

Plans reportedly viewed by WIRED revealed that the complex would encompass two mansions with at least 30 bedrooms and as many bathrooms. The homes will be connected by a tunnel that leads to a subterranean shelter that spans 5,000 square feet (465sqm) and includes a living area, a mechanical room and an escape hatch. Watch this space...