While an expensive sports car might look like the absolute show of wealth and style for most people, the rich and powerful are on another level. They have the money to take to the seas and skies in private jets and yachts, enjoying a lifestyle normal people can only dream about.
Flying or floating, these opulent status symbols are also somewhat practical investments meant to save time and money. Used for work or play, one thing we all agree on is that they are all lavish, unattainable and in the hands of the world’s elite.
1. John Travolta – Boeing 707, Estimated $4.5 Million
The famous actor is a well-known aviation enthusiast and also holds his own pilot’s license. Travolta isn’t just a lover of airplanes though, he is one of the few in Hollywood who can boast of having a small yet spectacular aircraft collection.
This little hobby of his has caused the actor to invest around $50 Million into it! He currently owns four planes but our favorite is the Boeing 707. After years of use, John donated the plane to the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society.
2. BONO – Kingdom Come, Estimated $22 Million
The frontman of U2 is one of the richest musicians in the world and has made quite large donations to several charities but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t like to splash some cash on his own comforts from time to time.
When he went shopping for a yacht, he paid an estimated $22 million for the 198-foot-long “Kingdom Come” which is more similar to a luxury hotel than a ship. The master suite, enormous deck, marble bathroom, hot tub, and gold-plated furniture ensure he sails like a prince.
3. Harrison Ford – Cessna 680 Sovereign, Estimated $18 Million
Another certified pilot, Harrison Ford has been into flying since his Star Wars days. He owns 8 different aircraft, including both airplanes and helicopters. He even helps with search and rescue missions when needed.
Unfortunately, his growing number of airplanes hasn’t helped his flying! The actor has been involved in a number of aviation accidents. We are surprised that even with all that, it still hasn’t stopped Harrison from sticking with his little “hobby”
4. Celine Dion – Bombardier Global Express, Estimated $42 Million
A successful, independent woman like Celine Dion knows what she wants and she has the bank account to get it. The singer paid around $42 million for her luxury jet which comes with an all-leather interior, room for as much as 14 passengers.
Celine being Celine, she upgraded her model to include a fully functional kitchen where her 24/7 on-call personal chef prepares meals for her and her celebrity friends. All that comes at a cool cost of $3 million!
5. Selena Gomez – Bombardier Challenger 300, Estimated $250K Per Month
Selena Gomez keeps surprising us with her talent and beauty. The talented singer and actress is capable of keeping all eyes on her wherever she goes. It is unclear whether she owns her own private jet, but she definitely loves posing in front of it!
Bought or rented, Selena definitely loves the Bombardier Challenger 300 since it enables her to escape her hectic tour schedule. She usually spoils her closest friends and family with tropical vacations around the world.
6. Matthew McConaughey – Bombardier Global 7000, Estimated $72.8 Million
The Texas-born actor has been a leading man in the Hollywood industry since he starred in some critically-acclaimed dramas before he topped the box office in several romantic comedies.
The Oscar-winning actor didn’t need a bank loan to purchase a brand new private jet – a Bombardier Global 7000 for an astonishing $72.8 million! His private jet is the longest as well as the largest business jet ever made that features a master suite, kitchen, and much more.
7. Bill Gates – Bombardier BD-700 Global Express, Estimated $40 Million
Tech mogul Bill Gates might not have the most expensive jet on this list but he certainly has one of the most advanced. Filled with all sorts of gadgets and innovations, the plane is appropriate for such a man.
With performance-enhancing systems, touch screens, wireless internet and -we suspect- gadgets that are not available to the public. The $40 million may seem high but with a net worth of $89 billion, he could buy one every year and not face bankruptcy.
8. Beyonce’ & Jay-Z – Galactica Star, Estimated $70 Million
A music power couple, Beyonce and Jay-Z chartered the yacht “Galactica Star” and fell in love with the 213 feet long vessel. And how could they not? The ship is floating mansion with custom-built VIP guest rooms, a beach club, swimming pool, jacuzzi and sauna, a sundeck and a helipad.
There is a separate master suite for the owners. Still, the $70 million they paid plus insurance and maintenance might not have been a good investment compared to the $900K/week to charter.
9. Rihanna – Superyacht – Estimated $250K Per Week
Once upon a time, it was a collection of supercars that was necessary for every celebrity but nowadays renting a Superyacht seems like the new and frivolous thing everyone enjoys with their millions of dollars.
Rihanna is no exception to this rule. She loves going on vacation on her Superyacht which is said to cost her around $125,000 to $350,000 a week. Even with that hefty price tag, don’t expect RiRi to skimp – she usually rents the yacht for several weeks, if not months!
10. Leonardo DiCaprio – Topaz, Estimated $1.3 Million Per Week
We will take a wild guess and assume that actor Leonardo DiCaprio is quite financially comfortable. How do we make that assumption? Well, because the Titanic actor spends an easy $1.3 million to rent out a Superyacht for a week.
Yes, you read that right. A week. Apart from the massive size -It has 26 luxurious cabins in total, the yacht also boasts three swimming pools, a cinema, and two helipads. Can we please be friends with Leo?
11. Angelina Jolie – Cirrus SR22, Estimated $650K
Although the award-winning actress deserves to be on this list, she is not like the others. She doesn’t own a luxury jet or yacht rather, she has a small Cirrus SR22 plane that can carry 4 or 5 people.
Angelina Jolie just acquired her pilot’s license and our guess is, she probably just uses it as a form of amusement or to avoid a particularly bad traffic jam. We don’t blame her if we had that type of cash- so would we!
12. Roberto Cavalli – Baglietto Yacht, Estimated $40 Million
One could certainly guess who this yacht’s owner just by looking at it. The “Baglietto” yacht is a colorful, custom-built 134-foot longship with room for 8 guests and a crew of 4. It naturally belongs to the eccentric fashion designer Roberto Cavalli.
The over the top Cavalli is known for having star-studded parties in his home on the sea with appearances from everyone including Beyonce And Jay-Z to even royalty. It is a rare sight to see the yacht without a famous face present on it!
13. Chris Brown – Gulfstream IV, Estimated $110K Per Round Trip
When it comes to outrageous celebrity-owned private jets, we simply have to mention the American singer, actor, and songwriter, Chris Brown. The thing with Chris is, he just loves to go big! Either it is with his tattoos or his trips.
The rapper has been present in the music industry for more than a decade, so his online savings account was loaded enough for him to party while enjoying in a luxurious rental business jet, the Gulfstream IV. Chris pays around $110K per flight until he gets his own private jet.
14. Enrique Iglesias – Gulfstream IV, Estimated $3.6 Million
Can you believe that this hottie recently turned 40? We are still in shock just as you are. Enrique Iglesias is a pop sensation as well as a global heartthrob. He definitely looks like a twenty-year-old, and not a day older.
The singer is a huge fan of planes, so recently, he decided to learn how to fly them. Today, he is certified to pilot helicopters and small to medium planes. It wasn’t surprising when the singer decided to invest money in a business jet, a Gulfstream IV. This pleasure cost him around $3.6 million.
15. Tom Hanks – ENIGMA, Estimated $275K Per Week
We all love Tom Hanks, especially for his role as Jimmy Dugan in the 1992 comedy movie A League of Their Own. Of course, we also remember him in iconic movies like Forrest Gump and Philadelphia. You simply have to love him.
The actor and his wife Rita Wilson recently looked into their credit card monitoring and decided to celebrate their wedding anniversary while sailing on a luxury rental yacht named ENIGMA. For this romantic getaway, they had to pay $275K per week.
16. Jerry Seinfeld – Gulfstream V, Estimated $22 million
Jerry Seinfeld is famous for portraying a semi-fictional version of himself in the iconic American sitcom, Seinfeld. The comedian, actor, producer, and director developed an interest in stand-up comedy after brief stints in college productions.
He has been in the comedy business since 1976, always making us laugh. Jerry doesn’t need a bank loan when it comes to purchasing some luxurious stuff like his private jet, Gulfstream, which is estimated around $22 million.
17. Jackie Chan – Embraer Legacy- Estimated $20 Million
The Chinese actor who currently holds the ‘World Record for Most Stunts Performed by a Living Actor,’ Jackie Chan is a well-known name in the Hollywood movie industry. As a man of action, we’re not shocked that he is a big fan of flying.
We love that the actor consulted with his wealth management advisor before purchasing his luxurious private jet, Embraer Legacy. Talking about wealth management, we bet the insurance for this baby but obviously, it’s not an issue for Jackie.<
18. Kirsty Bertarelli – Vava II, Estimated $130 Million
Kirsty Bertarelli is most known as the wife of Ernesto Bertarelli and as a former Miss UK. She is a British singer, songwriter, and philanthropist. Her husband ranks 6th on the list of UK’s wealthiest, so Kirsty is currently Britain’s richest woman, thanks to her husband’s bank account.
It is not surprising that she has an eye for luxury items, and her personal favorite is her private yacht Vava II which is worth around $130 million. The yacht is 33rd largest in the world.
19. Simon Cowell – Gulfstream G550, Estimated $61.5 Million
Simon Cowell treasures the vast fortune he has now since he was allegedly bankrupt at some point. His private jet has quite the price tag to it for it is worth a whopping $61.5 million!
Let’s hope the former playboy fully thought through this purchase but considering he has a net worth of $550 Million, we doubt a simple $61 million would greatly affect it all. Simon casually posts pictures of his little toy.
20. Elvis Presley – Convair 880, Estimated $3 Million
The Convair 880 is an American narrow-body business jet manufactured by the Convair division of General Dynamics. The jet was designed to compete with the Douglas DC-8 and Boeing 707.
The ultimate King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley didn’t hesitate before purchasing this private jet for $600,000. The price included many customizations. Elvis was able to afford much more without worrying about mortgages since he was one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century.
21. Justin Bieber – Gulfstream G4, Estimated $60 Million
What is a better way to show that you are in fact a real big star than to get your own private jet? That must have been Justin Bieber’s thought when he made the financially risky decision to buy his own Gulfstream G4.
He might not be facing imminent bankruptcy but with a price tag of $65 million and millions in insurance, storage, and maintenance every year, Bieber’s net worth of $200 million doesn’t seem that high.
22. Steven Spielberg – Seven Seas, Estimated $184 Million
We thought the director of Jaws would stay away from the sea but that is not the case. Not only has Steven Spielberg bought a 282 feet yacht, but he is also going shopping for a bigger one!
He purchased the “Seven Seas” thinking it would suffice but apparently, he needs accommodation for more than 12 people. We assume the new one will also have a helipad, a spa, a gym and an infinity pool/cinema!
23. Tom Cruise – Gulfstream IV, Estimated $36 Million
One of Hollywoods biggest stars cannot lessen himself with public transportation so Tom Cruise acquired an airborne limo, a Gulfstream IV to go wherever his business needs take him in the manner appropriate for a man of means.
The jet has room for 19 passengers plus a crew of 2. We guess that after his very public divorce from Katie Holmes, the Gulfstream was used many a time to whisk away the actor to private vacations away from the public.
24. Donald Trump – Boeing 757, Estimated $100 Million
With Donald Trump now in the White House, his private customized Boeing 757 probably won’t see much use. It has space for 43 passengers, a master bedroom, a dining area, a conference room, and a video room.
With his corporation covering real estate, investments in casinos and hotels and branding and licensing deals, he needed an aircraft such as this. As the President of the USA, he doesn’t.
25. Floyd “Money” Mayweather – Gulstream IV, Estimated $40 Million
The boxing champion Floyd Mayweather has made so much money from fights, endorsements, advertisements, and promotions that he can easily afford the two private jets he owns.
He needs the big one for when he travels with his entourage- which includes around 15-20 people. Naturally, he has a smaller one for when he is in the need for speed rather than space. Oh, what a life!
26. Jim Carrey – Gulfstream V, Estimated $59 Million
Jim Carrey, the talented actor, and comedian purchased a Gulfstream V, costing almost $60 million. For an actor who has a few years to score a major hit and with an estimated net worth of $150 million.
It seemed like poor financial planning and a recipe for bankruptcy. He doe offer the luxury aircraft for charter services a mere $8,000 per hour, so maybe it is an investment instead of a money sink.
27. Jay-Z – Bombardier Challenger 850, Estimated $40 Million
The yacht is for pleasure but the jet is mostly for business. Kind of. The Bombardier Challenger 850 Learjet is like a sky hotel room with a bedroom, a kitchen, two bathrooms, and a living room. They do use it for concerts and tours so despite the luxury, perhaps Jay-Z’s accountant can write it off as a business expense?
While Jay-Z personally owns the jet, both he and his wife use it for concerts and tours to ensure they can travel in luxury no matter where they are. We do wonder if Jay-Z’s accountant can write this off as a business expense?
28. Larry Page & Sergey Brin – Boeing 767-200, Estimated $40 Million
Larry Page and Sergey Brin don’t technically own the Google Jet, a holding company does. Of course, they own the company but still. The founders of the internet-age mega-corp bought an old 767.
They didn’t just stop there and threw another $10 million to refurbish it with 2 staterooms, dining area and room for 15 passengers. It is also rumored to be a party plane and Sergey Brin had a king-size bed installed in his room.
29. Arnold Schwarzenegger – Gulfstream III, Estimated $35 Million
The veteran actor and politician didn’t care much for luxury and got the just-the-basics edition of the Gulfstream III. He purportedly needed it to commute between his house in Los Angeles and his office in Sacramento while he was Governor of California.
With a bank account already loaded, Arnie refused the gubernatorial paycheck, which, although not enough to save the state from bankruptcy, was a decent gesture on his part but many critics claimed that it was more or less just a publicity stunt.
30. JK Rowling – Amphitrite Yacht, Estimated $28 Million
With her humble origins, we doubt the famous author had ever dreamed of owning a floating palace like the “Amphitrete”. The creator of Harry Potter usually takes ten of her friends wherever she goes, either it is next door to France or around the world!
The yacht is worth an estimated $28 million and comes with 5 lush cabins, a master bedroom, art deco interiors, water sports equipment, home cinema, satellite TV… the list goes on.
31. Tracy McGrady – Falcon 2000, Estimated $27 Million
Tracy McGrady was a great NBA player but he was never known for scoring an enormous package, that is why we are surprised when he popped on this list with his casual purchase of a private jet.
He didn’t just buy any plane, he bought a Falcon 2000 which is estimated to be around $27 Million and that is without the extensive upgrades the NBA player requested. Looks like Tracy played his credit cards right and splurged on one fancy plane!
32. Billy Joel – Vendetta, Estimated $1.2 Million
Billy Joel is well known for his love of boats, in fact, at one point in his life he owned 5 of them. But the famous musician has singled one out as his favorite and that is “Vendetta”, a 57-foot long yacht made in a classic style.
Don’t let its appearance fool you, though as it is equipped with everything a modern yacht needs, tech-wise. Furthermore, priced at $1.2 million, it wouldn’t require a bank loan to purchase, at least for Billy Joel!
33. Gisele Bundchen & Tom Brady – Gulfstream G550, Estimated $50 Million
The Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen and the American quarterback Tom Brady live, work, vacation and visit family all over the world. Naturally, a private jet was a good investment for the famous couple.
Being lovers of high-fashion they renovated their Gulfstream G550 with a glossy, black finish which allowed them to go wherever they needed, in extreme style! No hassle of commercial flights for this couple plus they get to show off their beautiful ride.
34. Peter Jackson – Gulfstream G550, Estimated $68 Million
Although the Lord Of The Rings & The Hobbit were hugely successful projects for director Peter Jackson, they also necessitated his back and forth from Los Angeles to New Zealand. So, he did what any sensible celebrity would, he bought a Gulfstream G550 private jet.
The plane has enough space for 19 passengers or 8 if they need sleeping arrangements. Furthermore, time is money for Jackson so he has had a studio installed to work during his trips.
35. Giorgio Armani – Main, Estimated $60 Million
The fashion designer Giorgio Armani’s name is a byword for style nowadays. So it is not surprising that his yacht is as elegant as they come. It is 210 feet long, has a gym and a cinema and can host up to 12 guests.
What do all those amenities on a yacht cost? Start with $60 million which might sound like a lot of money, but when your net worth is $8 billion, we are sure his bank account barely felt the weight!
36. Phil Mickelson – Gulfstream V, Estimated $60 Million
Like many other pro-golfers, Phil Mickelson has an exhausting schedule, with tournaments all over the world. To be able to attend -and thus keep making money- he purchased a Gulfstream V which, seen in this light, is more of an investment than a luxury.
It doesn’t hurt that it can accommodate 14 passengers, has high-speed internet access, several televisions and even its own media room. Compared to the rest, Phil’s private jet is relatively modest.
37. Mark Cuban – Gulfstream V, Estimated $40 Million
A businessman like Mark Cuban has no time to lose. Especially when he has stock trading to do, or attend a game of the Dallas Mavericks. The $40 million of the Gulfstream V were simply a sound investment for him and this man knows where to put his money.
He has created a business empire through shrewd deals and a tight business plan, while never forgetting to give to charity or helping starting businesses. That is why we think that Cuban deserved his Gulfstream V- We have to spoil ourselves from time to time.
38. Taylor Swift – Dassault Falcon 900, Estimated $40 Million
The country singer has not one but two private jets. The Falcon 900 can carry Taylor and 11 of her people on long flights while the Falcon 50 has 9 passenger seats and she uses it for shorter trips.
It’s quite amazing, considering not many people have the kind of money to afford two planes by the age of 27 but besides a talented musician, she also has a good sense for making money. She has multiple product endorsements and partnerships and designed her own line of various products.
39. Seth MacFarlane – Gulfstream, Estimated $50 Million
Seth MacFarlane is frequently criticized, from his attire to his creative choices. Plus many claim that his series, The Family Guy only appeals to college kids that smoke marijuana yet its success is undeniable.
The creator of Family Guy has been making money hand over fist since his shows began in 1999 and the way things are going, bankruptcy for him is less likely than sprouting wings. He can fly though, as he bought a shiny Gulfstream private jet to travel like a true Hollywood star.
40. THE EDGE – The Cyan, Estimated $12 Million
It’s not just Bono that used U2 money to buy a yacht. David Evans, better known as The Edge owns “The Cyan”, a 160-foot long superyacht with 6 cabins that can entertain 12 guests.
Naturally, it comes with a gym, media center, jacuzzi, all the usual stuff we expect from an opulent yacht. It is also a money-making investment, as it is available to charter for the lowly sum of $192,000 per week!
41. Magic Johnson – Gulfstream G-III, Estimated $40 Million
One of the biggest names to grace NBA, Magic Johnson moved to business after he retired from basketball. His move to corporate America didn’t come in the way of his over-the-top taste and he soon invested in a Gulfstream G-III.
While initially the private jet was rationalized as a form of business investment, it is easy to see that he uses it more or less to vacation around the world with his ever-growing group of friends.
42. Neymar – Cessna 680, Estimated $10 Million
The famous soccer player Neymar had already bought a Cessna 680 when his assets from frozen as part of an investigation into allegations of tax evasion. But Neymar would not be denied his lavish ways.
Rumor has it that he hat to take out a mortgage but he purchased another plane, same model, to travel in style while the first was unavailable. Or escape, in case he is sentenced to jail for not paying taxes. Who knows?
43. Sergio Garcia – Hawker 850, Estimated $16 Million
To our surprise, this list seems we have more golfers in it than businessmen! Sergio Garcia might not have Tiger Wood’s level of money but he still has enough to accommodate his needs and a little bit of luxury.
He has his own private jet to tour the world of professional golf with up to 7 more passengers. He has even had a custom suite installed so that he can be fresh and ready before he picks up a golf club.
44. Diane von Fürstenberg – Eos, Estimated $100 Million
The three-masted luxury schooner perfectly represents its owners. It has tons of style and elegant design like the famous fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg and is expensive and opulent as would fit her husband, the billionaire Barry Diller.
There is room for 16 guests and a crew of 21 men is required for things to run smoothly. Out of the many yachts seen on this list, Daine’s might be our favorite. Not only because of its timeless look but also since it is relatively unique.
45. Bonus Page – Donald Trump – Air Force One, Estimated $390 Million
Air Force One is not president Trump’s property but as long as he serves, it is basically his. It is the primary form of long-range transportation for the president of the USA and is more like a flying White House than a plane.
An unrecognizable Boeing 747-200B, it has everything the president and his staff need including bedrooms, bathrooms, a kitchen, a conference room, and a private office. It really is a level above everything else we’ve seen and that is reflected in the $390 million price tag.
46. Tiger Woods – Privacy Yacht, Estimated $20 Million
Although his ex-wife got around $100 million in the divorce settlement, the most successful pro-golfer in the world had plenty to spare. After the savaging of his private life by the tabloids, he named his yacht “Privacy”.
The acclaimed golfer made sure he could enjoy himself with up to 21 guests with no interruptions. There is a gym, a theater, a jacuzzi, and a lounge bar, along with jet skis and water sports equipment.
47. DJ Khaled – Gulfstream G2, Estimated $38K Per Round Trip
DJ Khaled is known for his very luxe and lavish lifestyle, and we’re sure his son, Ashad, already has a bigger spending account than most people. The two-year-old has been seen on Instagram enjoying tropical vacations with his father.
DJ Khaled and Ashad always love traveling in style in their private jet and also make sure to let everyone know about it, through Instagram. A roundtrip flight in his Gulfstream G2 is said to be worth around $38,000.
48. Dave Coulier – Beechcraft Bonanza B35, Estimated $815K
Dave Coulier is a very successful actor who is known for his comedic chops. Before adding his name to the extensive list of Hollywood stars who own planes, first, he learned how to fly one.
Dave has always dreamed of flying and had been taking lessons since he was 15 years old! It was only when he had the money and the time, that he finally got his license and with it, his beloved Beechcraft Bonanza B35
49. Michael Schumacher – Falcon 200, $22 Million
Michael Schumacher is one of the most famous Formula One racers, who has bagged the coveted World Championship but as all athletes, he had to retire at one point or another. To prepare for his time off, he invested in a luxury private jet, the Falcon 200, is estimated to be worth around $22 million.
Sounds steep right? Well, it isn’t for Micheal who has accumulated an impressive net worth of $800 million through various brand deals. He is usually spotted traveling from one lavish vacation stop to another with his entire family.
50. Bella Hadid – JetLux, Estimated $100K Per Trip
Bella Hadid, just like other “it girls,” is always seen posing in front of one private luxury jet or another, during her travels. Now we know, that it’s not her bank account which supports these trips but the famous brands who sponsor her.
She not only frequently promotes companies who rent out private jets but also gets to go on all-expense paid vacations through them. That is on top of the average $100,000 she makes, with each picture she posts on her booming Instagram.