Worth: $3.6 MillionIn 2005, A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio was vacationing in Belize when he stumbled upon Blackadore Cay during a scuba expedition when he was observing the world’s second-largest coral reef system. And after he saw the island, he started planning, but not before he spent over $1.75 million to own the property. Since the purchase, he’s been working hard to turn it into the ultimate eco-resort, which will be a luxurious yet eco-friendly place to stay for those who can afford the price tag.
If you aren’t familiar with Leo’s work outside of acting, he’s always advocating for wildlife and the environment, so it makes sense he would opt to do something like this. The resort on Blackadore Cay is set to open later this year and will include 36 bungalows and 36 estate villas that “float” over the water, among other amenities. He’s spent nearly $3.5 million on the project, but it will likely be well worth the money.
Celine Dion – Jupiter Island, Florida
Worth: $38.5 MillionSuperstar songstress Celine Dion spent over $45 million creating her ultimate vacation hideaway off the coast of Florida. Jupiter Island is home to five large buildings with three pools, all with stunning ocean views. But Dion’s pools aren’t just any pools – they’re more like mini-waterparks, with two lazy rivers and huge waterslides. Now that’s a vacation home!
The singer originally acquired her island getaway in nearly $20 million, and that’s just for the actual land. Then, she spent another $20 million building and wiring everything. But Dion wound up listing the resort on the market in 2016, at a whopping $72.5 million. When she did finally find a buyer for it the following year, she sold for $38.5 million – much less than what she was hoping for. The buyer was the Jupiter Island Trust, which is headed up by an American who plans to use it as their own vacation home.
John Lennon - Dorinish, Clew Bay, Ireland
Worth: $300,000John Lennon first bought Dorinish, a private island in Clew Bay, Ireland, in 1967. He paid 1,700 euros for it (less than $2,000.) The musician and his family, including his first wife, Cynthia, until their divorce. After the split, he and new wife Yoko Ono continued to use the property as a hippie commune. 25 free spirits lived in the island community until 1972, when a fire burned down the supply tent and everyone moved away.
After Lennon passed away, Yoko Ono sold the property for almost 30,000 euros – that’s a pretty impressive profit considering what was initially paid for it! But rather than hanging on to the money, she donated it to a local orphanage. Today, the island is fondly known as “Beatle Island,” and is inhabited mainly by cattle who graze and live freely. Beatle’s fans still pop up to see the place every now and then.
Dean Kamen - North Dumpling Island, Connecticut
Worth: $2.5 MillionDean Kamen built his fortune around the invention of the Segway and founding the non-profit organization FIRST. The engineer bought this two-acre island off of the coast of Connecticut in 1986. He wanted to build a wind turbine on the property, though he was denied by the government. It became a running joke at that point that he was going to secede from the U.S.
Kamen finally got his wish after the island’s electricity was converted to wind and solar combo, and a 10-kW turbine was installed. Obviously, the island always legally remained a part of the country. The inventor jokingly calls it the “Kingdom of North Dumpling,” on occasion. He even made up a constitution, a flag, and a currency – which happens to be the dumpling, of course. Not too many people can afford to buy their own island and declare themselves a Lord, but hey, if you’ve got it, flaunt it!
Shah Rukh Khan – Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Worth: $2.8 MillionBollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan may not own all of Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, but he does own a $2.8 million luxury home on it. The island is famous for its peculiar shape and is one of many man-made pieces of property in the area. This area of Dubai is known for its spectacular and high-priced tourist attractions, including some of the world’s best hotels and restaurants.
Shah Rukh shares his 6-bedroom villa with his wife, Gauri, and their three children. The family stays in the home over vacations and when “children are back from boarding schools,” according to Gauri’s recent interview with Gulf News. The family spent their 2016 New Year’s Eve watching the fireworks over the water from their lavish villa.