Rich folks sure know how to have fun—and spend big while they’re at it. Once you’ve got more money than you can count, regular hobbies just don’t cut it anymore. So what do these loaded people do for kicks? They pick up pricey pastimes. Let’s check out 15 of them.
Yachting
Forget inflatable rafts—we’re talking mega-yachts here. These floating palaces can cost upwards of $100 million, with yearly upkeep running into the millions. And that’s just the start. You’ll need a crew, fuel, and docking fees, not to mention a taste for caviar and Dom Pérignon.
Collecting Fine Art
Got a spare $450 million lying around? That’s what someone paid for Leonardo da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi.” Art collecting isn’t just buying pretty pictures; think of it as a high-stakes game of auctions and private deals. Furthermore, for you to play in this league, you must have a keen eye.
Vintage Car Racing
If you think regular car racing is expensive, wait till you hear about this. Rich speed demons go beyond just watching races—they buy million-dollar old cars and race them themselves. It’s not cheap: you need a whole team of mechanics and tons of cash for travel. But man, what a rush!
Heliskiing
Forget crowded ski resorts. The ultra-rich hop in helicopters to find untouched snow on remote mountains. Heliskiing gives thrill-seekers access to remote, pristine slopes. It comes at a price because this fancy skiing can cost thousands of dollars daily for the helicopter, guide, and luxury accommodations.
Space Tourism
Yep, you read that right. Some people are so rich they’re literally leaving Earth for fun. Companies are now offering trips to space for a cool quarter-million bucks or more. It only lasts a few minutes, but hey, how many people can say they’ve floated in space?
Polo
Known as the “sport of kings,” polo isn’t just about riding horses—it’s about owning a stable of them. Each player needs 4-6 horses per match, equipment, and club memberships. Toss in travel to international tournaments; you’re looking at millions annually.
Collecting Rare Watches
For some, telling time is an art form. High-end watch collecting involves hunting down rare timepieces that can cost millions each. To people who love antique watches, collecting them is about understanding their history and investment potential. This hobby ticks all the boxes for the patient, detail-oriented millionaire.
Owning a Sports Team
Some rich folks take their love of sports to the extreme by buying entire sports teams. Buying a major league sports franchise costs billions, but you’ll join an elite club of owners. Owners deal with player drama, stadium issues, and media rights.
Breeding Racehorses
They call it a rich man’s game for a reason: breeding racehorses involves buying top stallions and mares. And a single horse can cost millions, with no guarantee of success. But when your horse crosses the finish line first? That’s priceless.
Building a Wine Cellar
This isn’t about grabbing a bottle from the grocery store. Serious wine collectors spend fortunes on rare vintages, and some bottles can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Additionally, the pleasure of building a cellar is also a great investment because it appreciates in value over time.
Extreme Exploration
Thrill-seekers often find that typical vacations fail to satisfy their adventurous spirits. Many choose to fund expeditions to the ocean’s depths or to conquer unclimbed mountain peaks and invest in specialized gear and expert teams to ensure a safe and successful experience.
Owning a Private Island
Buying an entire island offers a unique status symbol, providing complete privacy and control. However, this requires significant effort, including developing infrastructure, hiring staff, and constructing an airstrip. Owning a private island can feel like ruling one’s tiny nation.
Collecting Classic Cars
Classic car collecting is more than just fixing old jalopies. We’re talking about acquiring incredibly rare, astronomically expensive vintage automobiles. Collectors need specialized storage and expert mechanics. Collectors love taking care of these old cars and showing them to others who enjoy them, too.
Haute Couture Fashion
Haute couture represents not just clothing but wearable art for those who seek the finest. A single dress can carry a price tag in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. One must secure invites to exclusive fashion shows and attend fittings in Paris to partake in this luxury.
Building a Private Museum
Why visit a museum when you can own one? The ultra-rich are creating personal galleries to house their art collections. This involves constructing specialized buildings, hiring curators, and managing conservation. It’s a way to share your passion with the world and maybe get a tax break in the process.
