I have to break this into a few post to large to post as 1

Billionaire Owned Islands

Lanai

Location: Hawaii

Cost: $500-$600 million

Owner: Larry Ellison

Business: Oracle Co-founder

Area: 89,920 acres

Larry Ellison, the third richest person in the US and also the sixth richest person in the world owns one of the finest jewels on water. 'Lanai' is the sixth largest island in Hawaii, and 98% of this island is purchased by Ellison. The remaining 2% of this island is owned by the government and locals. The purchase of this pristine island by Ellison from billionaire David Murdock is the most expensive transaction in the history of real estate islands till date. So, third richest even after spending a whopping $600 million? Well, talk about us feeling poor by the end of the month! (sigh!)

"Money doesn't buy you happiness, but it buys you a big enough yacht to sail right up to it." ― Johnny Depp (on buying a private island)

The preps of being a billionaire? A luxurious life, private planes, properties, paparazzi, names shining in gold, and … wait a minute, did we just hear owning a private island? Whoa! Now that is what we call being seriously rich. As if the madness for luxury cars, planes, and mansions were not enough, owning an entire island in scenic waters on earth comes as the new high for the ultra rich.

So, is it just the money or the element of fantasy that makes these billionaires buy private islands? No, there is a far more priced reason, which is 'privacy'. Without a modernized living, 24x7 security and cameras, where else could you sneak away for a break without being followed by paparazzi than your own private island? Plus, there is always the scope to extract business opportunities from it!

Skorpios Island

Location: Greece

Cost: $150 - $200 million

Owner: Ekaterina Rybolovleva

Business: Russian billionaire heiress

Area: 1,433 acres

Ekaterina Rybolovleva, the daughter of Russian billionaire, Dmitry Rybolovlev, purchased the beautiful island of Skorpios situated in the Ionian sea, located off the western coast of Greece. The island was previously owned by Athina Onassis, granddaughter of Greek shipping tycoon, Aristotle Onassis. The purchase was made in 2013. Though the exact price of purchase is not known, the deal is believed to be sealed between $150 to 200 million!

Necker Island

Location: British Virgin Islands

Cost: £175,000

Owner: Richard Branson

Business: Owner - Virgin empire

Area: 74 acres

Business titan Richard Branson owns a stunning piece of paradise called Necker Island, located in the British Virgin Islands. This purchase was made in the year 1978 for a total amount of £175,000 pounds. Necker Island is also available for private rentals and operates as a resort to accommodate 28 guests. The beautiful waters, coral reefs, wildlife, and flora and fauna are the perfect getaway; however, all at $53,000 a night! But want to know about a priceless view on this island? It is the 500 odd flamingos that have made Necker Island their home!

New Holland Island

Location: Saint Petersburg, Russia

Cost: $400 million

Owner: Roman Abramovich

Business: Owner - Millhouse LLC, Chelsea Football Club

Area: 18 acres

New Holland Island located in Saint Petersburg Canal in Russia was an ex-military base, until Russian business tycoon Roman Abramovich purchased the 18-acre island for $400 million! The island takes its name after its resemblance to areas in Amsterdam. The island is now up for renovation, and Roman Abramovich plans to turn this triangular island in a cultural center. Architects have been called for a bid for transforming this island. The new look of this island is expected to be revealed in another six years.

James Island

Location: Canada

Cost: $19 million

Owner: Craig McCaw

Business: U.S. cell phone pioneer

Area: 780 acres

James Island, located 1.5 miles off the coast of Vancouver Island, was purchased by Craig McCaw, CEO of McCaw Cellular Communications in 1994 for $19 million. He has since developed the island, but not at the cost of losing its natural beauty. Smoking is banned on the island, and only electric vehicles are used for transport. All power lines are laid underground. The island also boasts of a spacious house spanning over 5,000 sq. ft., a pool, an airstrip, a private dock, guest cottages, and also a golf course designed by the legendary golf champion Jack Nicklaus.

Musha Cay Islands

Location: Bahamas

Cost: $150 million (Net worth)

Owner: David Copperfield

Business: Renowned magician

Area: 700 acres

The illusionist wanted a paradise of his own to create yet another playground of magic. World-famous magician David Copperfield purchased the 'Musha Cay Islands', which is a group of 11 small islets located in the southern part of Bahamas in 2005 for $50 million. The location of this serene island is in the zone, which has the largest collection of private islands in the Bahamas. The magician has developed the island into a mystical resort with adventures, treasure hunts, luxurious villas, and water sports. All this, for a holy $32,250 a night!

Blackadore Caye

Owner: Leonardo DiCaprio

The Titanic star purchased an island named 'Blackadore Caye' in Belize. The purchase was done in 2005 for $1.75 million.

Leaf Cay

Owner: Nicholas Cage

The turquoise waters and sands of Bahamas have many a celebrity come close as neighbors. Actor Nicholas Cage owns a private island named Leaf Cay, purchased in 2006. The actor spent $3 million on this island in the Exuma Cays, neighboring many other islands owned by celebrities.

Goat Cay

Owner: Faith Hill and Tim McGraw

Music stars Faith Hill and Tim McGraw are neighbors to Johnny Depp in the Bahamas, as the couple own a 17-acre island called 'Goat Cay' in the Exumas, purchased in 2008.

Brecqhou

Owner: David and Frederick Barclay

Brecqhou, located in the English Channel Islands, was bought by the business tycoons - Barclay brothers in 1993 for $4.3 million. The 80-acre island is loaded with picturesque gardens, vineyards, pubs, and also a village with a chapel.

Little Halls Pond Cay

Owner: Johnny Depp

Depp bought 'Little Halls Pond Cay' located in the Bahamas in 2004 for $3.6 million.

This tropical piece of sand is Depp's favorite holiday destination!

The World

Owner: Michael Schumacher

The World is a man-made island located off the coast of United Arab Emirates. Worth $7 million, this island was a parting gift to Schumacher from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum after his Grand Pix in Brazil.

Mosquito Island

Location: Caribbean

Cost: $10 million

Owner: Richard Branson

Business: Owner - Virgin empire

Area: 120 acres

Richard Branson has yet another jewel in the collection of his empires on water. Mosquito Island, located off the coast of Virgin Gorda, was bought by Branson in 2007 for a humble $10 million. This island is rich in eco-diversity and is also one of the densest rainforest regions. So, is there a luxurious resort on the cards? No, rather, Branson plans to make this island the most eco-friendly and develop the biodiversity of this island. Nice thought for the penny I say!

Robins Island

Location: New York

Cost: $11 million

Owner: Louis Moore Bacon

Business: Investment Banker

Area: 445 acres

Wall Street Financier Louis Moore Bacon bought an island named 'Robins Island' located off the coast of Long Island in New York in 1993. The island has got Louis Bacon dig deep in his pockets to millions for restoration, which will help improve and preserve the island's natural habitat and beauty. The island has a vacation home for the Bacon family and also sports a helipad!

Mago Island

Location: Fiji

Cost: $15 million

Owner: Mel Gibson

Business: Actor

Area: 5,400 acres

Actor Mel Gibson too, joins the list of famous people owning a spot in the Fiji islands. He purchased a tropical island named 'Mago Island' for a cool $15 million in 2005. Interestingly, this island is also one of the largest privately owned islands of the South Pacific. It is almost the size of a small country! The population on this island is scarce, and there are only a few caretakers residing there. And no, Mel Gibson does not plan on developing it into a resort, thus preserving its natural beauty. A modest vacation home is all that would adorn this paradise in the Fiji's. Sigh of relief for the environmentalists I see!

Rooster Cay/Long Cay

Location: Bahamas

Cost: $15 million

Owner: Eddie Murphy

Business: Actor

Area: 15 acres

One of the highest paid stars and comedian, Eddie Murphy purchased a luxurious slice of paradise called Rooster Cay in 2007 for $15 million. This island is located just a few minutes away from the city of Nassau in Bahamas. Rooster Cay is believed to be suitable for future commercial development. However, it is still not clear whether the island would be converted to a luxury resort or would it remain as a naïve paradise for a private getaway of the actor. The actor also reportedly owns another speck of Bahamian Cay called 'Pearl'.

https://opinionfront.com/private-islands-owned-by-billionaires