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Yachts are not just boats when it comes to incredible superyachts like the ones on this list, they are true demonstrations of status and extreme luxury. A world, that of luxury yachts, that we might consider a universe apart. Just think that put together, the boats on this list are worth almost as much as the GDP of a small country like San Marino. Let’s discover together some of the most expensive boats in the world and who owns them!
Topping the list is media mogul David Geffen with his ship The Rising Sun with a value of as much as $590 million!
Geffen, in 1971 co-founded his first record label, Asylum Records, focused on Southern California folk-rock music. His early artists included the Eagles (Hotel California) and Bob Dylan. He sold Asylum Records a few years later and became vice president of Warner Bros. before returning to the music business in 1980 by founding his own Geffen Records. After releasing albums for numerous world-renowned artists, such as Elton John, Aerosmith, Peter Gabriel, Guns N’ Roses, Nirvana, Neil Young, and many others, he sold it for $710 million in 1990. In 1994 he founded DreamWorks SKG, along with director Steven Spielberg and former Disney chief Jeffrey Katzenberg (SKG after the initials of their last names), producing films such as The Gladiator (2000), Shrek (2001), Minority Report (2002) and many animated films.
The Rising Sun, originally owned by Larry Ellison, cost about $200 million at launch in 2004. Geffen purchased it in 2010. What’s on board? A basketball court, a heliport, a wine cellar, and even a movie theater. It accommodates up to 18 guests and 55 crew members in its 82 rooms. Celebrity guests to have come aboard include Oprah, Steven Spielberg, Barack Obama, and Julia Roberts-all invited to take a ride on this luxury megayacht.
In second place is Jeff Bezos’ Koru. Amazon founder’s superyacht is worth a whopping $500 million and to date is the world’s largest sailboat (waiting for Orient Express Silenseas to be launched in 2026).
The name Koru is derived from Māori culture and is a spiral shape taken from the natural outline of the Silver Fern, a plant that in Māori culture symbolizes new life, growth, strength, and peace. Perhaps a reference to the new life of its owner, who divorced his ex-wife MacKenzie Scott in 2019, giving her 4 percent of his shares in Amazon, making her the third richest woman in America (35th in the world).
Launched in 2023, it was the most talked about boat last summer. Who has already boarded it? Orlando Bloom, Katy Perry, and of course Bezos’ new girlfriend, Lauren Sanchez, an American television journalist. Swimming pool, hot tub, bar tops and several dining rooms: on board there is everything you could need on a super luxury cruise!
In third position is Eos by fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg and entrepreneur Barry Diller (who heads Expedia and TripAdvisor, among others). Bought in 2009 for $200 million, this super yacht is over 90 meters long! A veritable floating palace with glass stairs, jacuzzi and even a figurehead on the bow depicting von Furstenberg herself (a bit eccentric!). It can accommodate up to 14 guests on board.
The Venus, designed by archistar Philippe Starck and worth “just” $120 million, belongs to Laurene Powell, widow of Apple founder Steve Jobs. This clean-edged megayacht design occupies the fourth spot on the list of the world’s most expensive yachts.
Nearly 70 meters long, it is apparently not used often. The last time Powell was seen on board was almost a year ago in Barbados. Venus does not operate charters.
On the list of the world’s most expensive yachts, a rapper could hardly be missing. In fifth place is The Maraya, the 54-meter yacht of Sean Combs, known in art as Puff Daddy, P. Diddy or Diddy. This megayacht cost the rapper about $65 million in 2012, nothing considering that Forbes in 2022 valued his net worth at $1 billion.
Do you have a lot of money saved up and would like to take a cruise on it? The Maraya is available as a charter at $300,000 per week and can accommodate up to 12 guests in six cabins, family, friends and even in-laws. There is just enough room for everyone! There is a gymnasium, jacuzzi and, of course, a 24-hour personal chef on board.
One of the most elegant and luxurious yachts in the world, MAIN is Giorgio Armani’s enormous yacht yacht panfilo costing about $65 million. King Giorgio personally oversaw the interior design, with an essential and elegant style that is typical of the Milanese designer.
Launched in 2008 by the Codecasa shipyards in Viareggio, a symbol of Made in Italy excellence, this military green yacht is 65 meters long and replaced Mariù, Giorgio Armani’s previous 51-meter-long yacht. The designer, who is truly passionate about boating and the sea, is carrying out, in collaboration with The Italian Sea Group, Two more superyachts. The first of these, Admiral 72, is expected to be launched by next season.
Chinese pride, famous actor and martial artist Jackie Chan has commissioned the construction of his 46.5-meter megayacht from Chinese builder Jinlong Mega Yacht. Valued at $46 million, about one-tenth of its owner’s estate, it has six guest cabins, a VIP cabin, a studio, a gymnasium and a beach club.
Chan, born in Hong Kong in 1954 and active in the film industry since the early 1960s, has starred in more than 150 films and, even in recent years, has been listed among the world’s highest-paid actors.
Designed to escape prying eyes, or at least that is the intention, Sir Elton John’s yacht cost $29.1 million.
Built by Westport Shipyards in the United States, this superyacht has been spotted in various remote locations around the world. As of today the boat is rumored to be for sale, but if desired it is also offered for rent at a cost of $195,000 per week. Who knows, maybe England’s most famous baronet will be convinced to get on a Made in Italy jewel, given the recent exclusive concert organized by Ferretti at Teatro La Fenice in Venice last December.
The best golfer of all time, Tiger Woods owns a $29 million yacht. Privacy, delivered in 2004 and considered one of the most exclusive boats in its class, features an 8-person Jacuzzi on the main deck, as well as a filling station for scuba tanks and an inflatable decompression chamber, ensuring guests can safely explore even underwater world.
Previously owned by Johnny Depp, and named Amphitrite in honor of then-partner Amber Heard (from whom he later divorced), this relatively modest, “only” $22.9 million, but impressive boat was sold a few years ago to Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. With its classic and elegant style, markedly different from the modern look favored by other wealthy owners, it ranks tenth on the list of the world’s most expensive boats.
James Barbaro
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1 thought on “10 superstars and their dream yachts. What are they and how much do they cost”
No.5 the Maraya….Sean Combs never owned the vessel. He chartered it. Please check the facts.