Arm and a Leg
You probably think having enough cash to buy a car or a home is pretty good already, but have you ever wondered what the ultra-rich do with their money? We're not talking about the small stuff, like owning a Ferrari—we're talking about the big-ticket items, the possessions that are so exclusive, they'd blow your mind. From extravagant transportation to rare collectibles and much, much more, here are 20 things that only the seriously wealthy can afford.
1. Private Jets
You'd think the rich would settle for flying first class, but as luxurious as having your own little suite on a commercial jet seems, the ultra-rich can skip these commoner planes altogether. Why hop on a shared one if you can own your own? And depending on the model, a private jet can cost anywhere from several million dollars to well over $70 million.
2. Superyachts
Yep, the ultra-wealthy aren't just driving teeny boats around, extravagant as that already sounds. In fact, superyachts belong to an entirely different category, containing so many amenities—swimming pools, movie theaters, helipads—it could basically be called a mini cruise ship! No surprise here that you'd need a pretty hefty fortune just to keep one in working condition.
3. Private Islands
If you thought owning an estate was impressive, well, the ultra-rich can own entire private islands. One example? If you owned one in a tropical destination, it'd be complete with your own private beach, villa, and docks. Oftentimes, it's the development of the property that can be far more expensive than buying the land itself.
Queensland, Australia on Unsplash
4. One-of-a-Kind Haute Couture Dresses
Ever imagined having a closet full of designer clothes? A Zegna suit, a Chanel purse, Hermes slides... it'd be the dream already. And yet, if you take your imagination a bit further, you'd have a wardrobe full of custom haute couture dresses. Wealthy fashion enthusiasts can spend six figures on a single elaborate creation!
Charlota Blunarova on Unsplash
5. Original Masterpiece Paintings
Sure, anyone can purchase a copy of a famous painting. The rich, though, won't settle for just that. They need the original masterpiece! Heck, works by celebrated artists such as Picasso, Monet, and Basquiat have sold for tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars at auction.
Pierre André Leclercq on Wikimedia
6. Hypercars
If you think a Ferrari or Lamborghini is expensive, wait until you see what limited-production hypercars cost. The wealthy are more familiar with names such as Bugatti, Pagani, and Koenigsegg, which can sell for several million dollars each. Yet, exclusive as they are, even having money might not be able to get you one.
7. Mansions with Private Amenities
Multimillion-dollar mansions are great and all, though they don't hold a candle to properties that are properly (pun-intended) equipped. Some could even include indoor basketball courts, wine cellars, and full-scale movie theaters!
8. Rare Colored Diamonds
While the rich love their diamonds and pearls, it's the exceptionally rare ones they're after. Depending on the stone's size, color intensity (which can range from pink to red to blue), and quality, a single diamond can sell for millions or even tens of millions of dollars.
9. Personal Submarines
Apparently, having a luxurious yacht isn't enough for some of the ultra-wealthy. So, yep, they also own their own submarines, just for their personal underwater sightseeing and exploration. Of course, it's certainly a weird purchase, but hey, if you have the money, why not?
10. Private Helicopters
Why fly only by private jet when you can also have your own helicopter? Plus, the latter can be extremely useful if you frequently travel between homes, airports, and work, especially if you live in an enormous metropolitan city. High-end models may cost several million dollars, and that's not even including the pilots!
11. Historic Castles
The rich love owning the extravagant, which means they can buy their own historic castles too, if they so wish to. After all, why settle for a measly mansion when you could pretend to be royalty? Unsurprisingly, restoring ancient buildings can be extremely expensive.
12. Ultra-Rare Watches
Got a wristwatch? You might think your Apple Watch is pretty prestigious already, but the rich own exceptionally rare timepieces—think Patek Philippe and Rolex, which have attracted intense bidding at auctions. Heck, most collectors don't even wear their valuable watches and prefer keeping them in secure storage!
13. Private Sports Teams
Imagine being rich enough to have tickets to every single game of your favorite sports team. Now imagine having enough cash to buy your favorite sports team. Of course, you'd have to be pretty well-versed in business (you can't just have the big pockets), and though league rules and ownership agreements can limit your authority, it'd still be a major, major investment.
14. Antique Royal Jewelry
It's not just the shiny, colorful diamonds the rich are after. Royal families have accumulated remarkable jewelry collections over the centuries, and since some of these pieces eventually go up for bidding at auctions, of course the wealthy are the first to go all-in. From elaborate tiaras to gemstone-encrusted brooches, there's no telling where they'd stop!
15. Private Vineyards
Having your own wine cellar is a pretty big deal already, yet some wealthy enthusiasts go further: they purchase the vineyards themselves. The investment isn't a fairy tale, though—a desirable wine estate in regions such as Napa Valley or Bordeaux can not only be expensive to buy, but also requires rigorous work before owners ever see a return.
16. Luxury Underground Bunkers
Just to be on the safe side, some of the rich and wealthy also spend millions constructing elaborate underground shelters. And if you think these are basement-like rooms with a few boxes of food and supplies, think again. These bunkers often include enough living space to be an entire house on their own!
17. Rare Vintage Cars
While we did say owning a Ferrari isn't necessarily a sign that you're ultra-wealthy, what's going to stop rich car enthusiasts from seeking out expensive classic cars? A Ferrari 250 GTO, for example, can command tens of millions of dollars, while a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé sold for roughly $143 million in 2022! Most of the time, though, they're not bought to be driven.
18. Private Luxury Trains
Most wealthy travelers choose private aircraft, but some own luxurious carriages or trains. Nothing more fancy than going by rail! After all, these custom accommodations can feature elegant dining areas, bedrooms, and spacious lounges designed for extended journeys.
19. Trophy Penthouse Apartments
Sometimes, the filthy rich even settle for owning an expensive apartment over a massive mansion. Ever seen those breathtaking penthouses in Manhattan? Yep, that's exactly what they go for. Not only do these luxurious spaces have enormous floor plans and exclusive amenities, but they also have that billion-dollar view of the skyline.
20. Space Tourism Tickets
What's next on the bucket list if you've already traveled around the world? Well, the rich would probably say space exploration is next on their wish list. Believe it or not, commercial space tourism exists—it's just ridiculously expensive (think hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars per passenger). Of course, that's not a hurdle the wealthy can't cross!
