As comic George Carlin once said: ‘It’s a big club, and you ain’t in it!’ And perhaps nowhere is that more obvious than off the coast of St Barts this week as billionaires moor up their superyachts to catch some winter sun.
Boats belonging to the likes of Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, music and film producer David Geffen, and WhatsApp founder Jan Koum were pictured at anchor near the capital of Gustavia on Tuesday as some of the world’s richest enjoyed a post-Christmas break in the Caribbean.
Abramovich’s $700million, 533ft Eclipse yacht was easily visible from the coast – as was Geffen’s $400million, 454ft vessel Rising Sun. Two boats owned by Koum were also stopped nearby, the $220million Moonrise and the $20million Power Play.
Last week, they were joined by Amazon founder and former world’s richest man Jeff Bezos, who was pictured canoodling in the ocean with his partner Lauren Sanchez while enjoying a day trip on a much smaller vessel.
Here, MailOnline delves into the who’s who of one of the most exclusive clubs in the world…
Superyachts belonging to some of the world’s wealthiest people were pictured anchored off the coast of St Barts, in the Caribbean, on December 28 as members of the world’s most-exclusive club soaked up some winter sun
Dozens of yachts at currently at anchor near the St Barts capital of Gustavia, with smaller vessels taking their guests to visit more-exclusive bays dotted around the French island
Moonrise is owned by billionaire Whatsapp founder Jan Koum, who has reportedly been dating supermodel Evelina Mambetova for seven years (pictured together)
1. Moonrise, Jan Koum
Founder of WhatsApp, Jan Koum became a member of the billionaire club in 2014 when Facebook bought the popular messaging app for $22billion in cash and stock.
Koum resigned as CEO of WhatsApp in 2018 and stepped down from the board of Facebook as well, and is now worth an estimated $12billion having given more than $1billion to charitable causes.
The tech billionaire has reportedly been dating 30-year-old Crimean supermodel Evelina Mambetova since 2014.
Launched just last year, the 328ft Moonrise – worth an estimated $220million – features eight state rooms with space for 16 guests, with windows running along both sides of the vessel for sweeping sea views, along with accommodation for 32 crew.
Features include a helipad located on the front teak deck, a beach club at the rear with space for entertaining guests on the ocean, a full gym and interiors by French designer Remi Tessier.
Moonrise, worth an estimated $220million, features eight state rooms with space for 16 guests, with windows running along both sides of the vessel for sweeping sea views
Ms Mambetova, 30, is a Crimean Tatar supermodel, who Kiev National University and then Oxford University. Her Instagram profile is full of pictures taken at exotic locations around the world
Ms Mambetova is known to be discreet about her relationship with the wealthy tech entrepreneur, Koum, despite claims that the couple have been dating since 2014. She posted this picture of her girlfriends on a yacht in Capri, Italy, in August
Moonrise’s features include a helipad located on the front teak deck, a beach club at the rear with space for entertaining guests on the ocean, a full gym and interiors by French designer Remi Tessier
2. Rising Sun, David Geffen
Record and movie producer David Geffen’s yacht, the Rising Sun, is a favourite haunt of celebrities, political figures and the rich and famous – many of whom have been pictured holidaying on its expansive decks.
Built in 2004 and worth an estimated $400million, the 454ft boat was originally built for Oracle founder Larry Ellison. Geffen acquired half a stake in the yacht in 2007, and took full ownership in 2010.
Rising Sun has 82 rooms including room for 18 guests in nine suites, and accommodation for 45 crew.
In the past has played host to: The Obamas, Ivanka Trump and husband Jared, Katy Perry and Janet Zuccarini, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeff Bezos, Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg and Sir Paul McCartney.
A full-sized basketball court, gym, and private cinema on the owner’s deck at the top of the vessel are some of the stand-out features.
Katy Perry is pictured cosying up to yacht owner David Geffen, a music producer and owner of Dreamworks film studio, on her way to the Google Camp summit in Mallorca in 2019
Ivanka Trump is pictured riding a jet ski while holidaying on David Geffen’s superyacht, Rising Sun, in 2016. Rising Sun has also been spotted in the Caribbean this week
Rising Sun was originally built for Oracle founder Larry Ellison in 2004, before Geffen acquired half a stake in the boat in 2007 and took full ownership in 2010. It has room for 18 guests and features a full-sized basketball court
Barack Obama (left) takes a snap of wife Michelle (right) as the pair holiday on board Geffen’s yacht in April 2017, soon after he stood down as President following his second term in office
Leonardo DiCaprio is pictured on the rear deck of Geffen’s yacht in May 2016, in a photo taken by the billionaire
3. Eclipse, Roman Abramovich
Best-known as the owner of Chelsea FC, Roman Abramovich is part of a super-exclusive club of Russian oligarchs who made a fortune when the Soviet Union’s assets fell back into private hands after 1991.
Worth an estimated $14.5billion, he holds shares in steel manufacturer Evraz and mining company Norlisk Nickel, after selling considerable stakes in oil giant Sibneft and energy firm Gazprom for $15billlion back in 2005.
His yacht, the 533ft Eclipse, was the world’s longest pleasure vessel when it launched in 2010 – it was overtaken in 2013 by the 593ft Azzam, thought to be owned by Dubai’s royal family – and cost a reported $400million, though its current value is estimated at $700million.
The Eclipse’s main features are space for three helicopters: A helipad at the front of the vessel that lowers into a storage bay, allowing a second helicopter to land on top, and another helipad on the sundeck at the rear.
Inside, there are nine decks with 18 guest cabins and space for up to 100 crew. The main feature is a 50ft indoor swimming pool with a blue granite bottom that can be raised up to floor level so it transforms into a dance floor.
There is also a full gym, spa area, massage room, beauty salon, sauna, two plunge pools and a ‘beach club’ area at the back, which features a full kitchen in addition to a pull-out barbecue and pizza oven.
Roman Abramovich, most famous as Chelsea FC owner but who made his billions from shares in Russian state firms, is the owner of Eclipse having paid $400million for it back in 2010
The Eclipse was the largest yacht in the world when it was completed in 2010 – it has since been overtaken by one owned by Dubai’s royal family – cost $400million and features space for three helicopters and a 50ft indoor swimming pool
No expense was spared kitting out Abramovich’s yacht with interior and exterior design by Terry Disdale, a London-based designer who spent four and a half years polishing the details
The boat features several indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces for dozens of guests situated in 18 cabins. This is one of the smaller lounges, located on an upper deck of the nine-deck boat
Kendall Jenner is pictured on board Roman Abramovich’s superyacht Eclipse in 2016 when it was moored off the coast of Cannes, France. The yacht is currently at anchor near St Barts
Kris and Kendall Jenner are seen standing on the rear deck of the Eclipse yacht in Cannes, France, in 2016
Abramovich celebrated Christmas with his former wife Dascha Zhukova on St Barts in 2011
4. Le Grand Bleu, Eugene Shvidler
Best friend and business partner of Roman Abramovich – whose own boat is parked nearby – Eugene (Evgeny) Shvidler is worth an estimated $2billion thanks to shares he owns in steel-maker Evraz and mining company Norlisk Nickel, where Abramovich also has shares.
His boat, Le Grand Blue, used to belong to Abramovich having first been commissioned by American businessman John McCaw in 2000. Abramovich bought the vessel some time in the early 2000s, before selling it to his friend Shvidler in 2006.
The 370ft yacht has its own helicopter pad, water purification system and two additional boats, known as tenders. It is worth an estimated $150million, according to Superyacht Fan.
Le Grand Bleu (pictured rear) was originally designed and built for American businessman John McCaw in 2000, before being sold to Roman Abramovich who in turn sold it to friend and business partner Eugene Shvidler in 2006
Photographs reveal the old interior of the boat, before it was refitted by Roman Abramovich – who took ownership some time in the early 2000s – and then sold to Shvidler in 2006
An image taken around the time the boat was built, in the year 2000, reveals what the interior used to look like
Mr Shvilder was born in Russia but gained American citizenship in 1994 after gaining his MA at Fordham University and while working for Deloitte in New York
Shvidler and Abramovich are close friends and long-time business partners with stakes in many of the same Russian state companies (pictured together on holiday in Scotland)
5. Lady Jorgia, Patrick Dovigi
A former Canadian hockey goalkeeper, Patrick Dovigi became an entrepreneur while still playing sport – working at a company leasing construction equipment and cars, and then at an investment firm.
In 2007, he founded his own company – Green For Life Environmental Inc – an environmental waste management firm and steadily grew the business by acquiring other companies so it is today worth around $14billion.
Dovigi, who continues to be the firm’s president and CEO, joined the billionaire club in 2017 following a series of major acquisitions and is thought to be worth around $1.1billion.
His yacht, the 243ft Lady Jorgia, was built the same year Dovigi became a billionaire and cost some $90million.
It features space for 12 guests in eight separate rooms, a fully equipped gym and spa, indoor and outdoor cinemas, a pool, and an entertaining area with espresso bar.
Lady Jorgia, a $90million, 243ft pleasure yacht, is owned by former Canadian hocket goalie and entrepreneur Patrick Dovigi
The yacht features space for 12 guests to sleep as well as large entertaining rooms (pictured) and two cinemas
The yacht also features a fully equipped gym and spa, indoor and outdoor cinemas, a pool, and an entertaining area (pictured) with a fully-equipped espresso bar
Patrick Dovigi and his wife Fernanda (pictured) are worth an estimated $1.1bn, having made his fortune with an environmental waste management firm
6. Power Play, Jan Koum
A second yacht owned by the WhatsApp founder, the 182ft Power Play is considerably smaller than his other boat – Moonrise – and is designed as a support vessel, though it can also venture out on its own.
Originally designed to carry a power-boat on the rear deck, Koum had the $20million ship refitted to carry a helicopter which can also land on the front section of his main vessel.
Power play can sleep up to six guests in three suites and has accommodation for 10 crew, though most of its space is devoted to activities that complement the Moonrise.
It comes equipped with a fully kitted-out dive centre including room for equipment and oxygen tanks, including special kit that allows divers to visit environmentally sensitive areas.
The Power Play also has a large rear deck that is capable of storing a helicopter, which can also land on Koum’s main vessel
The Power Play is designed as a support vessel for Koum’s larger yacht, the Moonrise, though it does feature sleeping space for up to six guests and 10 crew
The Power Play is largely dedicated to ocean activities and comes complete with a fully-equipped diving centre including equipment that allows users to visit environmentally protected sites
The yacht is owned by tech billionaire Jan Koum (left) who founded WhatsApp and sold the company to Facebook in 2014, who is reportedly dating model Evelina Mambetova (right)
Olivia O, Eyal Ofer
An Israeli shipping magnate worth an estimated $11.4billion, Eyal Ofer inherited his father’s business in 2011 but has significantly expanded and diversified its holdings to include real estate, banking and investments.
Through Global Holdings, his real estate firm, he owns 15 Central Park West, 1250 Broadway and 50 United Nations Plaza, all located in Manhattan, New York.
His highly-distinctive yacht Olivia O, completed just last year at a cost of $200million, features space for 20 guests housed in eight suites, along with 30 crew.
Other features include a swimming pool, gym, helipad, and spa – with lots of deck space at the rear for sports such as swimming, diving, fishing and the use of smaller tender boats.
Droulers of Milan designed the interior, saying Ofer and his wife requested a Japanese theme that included the extensive use of wood and resin in the bathrooms to create a spartan cement-like texture.
The Olivia O, which is owned by Israeli shipping magnate and real estate investor Eyal Ofer, features a distinctive stub nose that makes for smoother sailing with lots of space at the back for outdoor entertaining and sports
Excellence, Herb Chambers
The son of an artist and a bar owner who was once fired by his own mother for missing work, Herb Chambers got his start in business by selling copiers before switching to cars – which made him his fortune.
Now worth an estimated $1.8billion, Chambers has a taste for some of the finer things in life and is known to own a rare car collection that includes a McLaren F1, three Ferraris, three Porches, a Ford GT and Model B, a Bugatti Veyron, a Cadillac Eldorado and a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL.
He is also the proud owner of Excellence, a 263ft, $120million superyacht that was built in Germany and launched in May 2019.
The Excellence features a triple-height glass atrium at its centre that is fitted with an elevator and tiered cinema, has a pool with a swim-up bar two Jacuzzis on the rear deck, a ‘wellness spa’ and a dedicated gym.
It also has garage for two ‘limousine’ tender boats which can be used to explore the surrounding ocean, while the garage itself has its own bar and entertaining space for guests.
Excellence is a $120million superyacht owned by Herb Chambers, an American businessman who was once fired by his own mother for failing to show up to work before earning his fortune dealing cars
Halo, María Asunción Aramburuzabala
Heiress of the Modelo beer fortune, María Asunción Aramburuzabala is Mexico’s best-known businesswoman and one of the country’s richest – with a fortune of $5.8billion.
Aramburuzabala cemented her place among the world’s well-heeled in 2013 when Modelo was sold to Belgian beer giant Anheuser-Busch InBev for $20billion.
She now serves on the board of AB InBev but has also diversified her interests via investment firm Tresalia Capital, which has pumped money into construction, telecommunications and the Internet.
Her yacht, the 189ft Halo, features accommodation for 12 guests spread across six suites and cabins for 15 crew, with the pièce de résistance being the owner’s VIP cabin on the top deck.
This features a his and hers bathroom, a private office, and a sundeck. Elsewhere there is a large Jacuzzi with a carbon-fibre shade that opens electronically, located on a large communal sundeck with its own bar.
The yacht houses two smaller tender boats and has a diving centre complete with 28 oxygen tanks for excursions out on the water. A helicopter can also be landed on the bow.
Halo, a 189ft superyacht, is owned by Mexican businesswoman María Asunción Aramburuzabala – heiress of the Modelo beer fortune and a successful investor in her own right
Jeff Bezos
Amazon owner and world’s second-richest man, having been overtaken by Tesla and SpaceX owner Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos was spotted in St Barts last week packing on the PDA with partner Lauren Sanchez.
Worth an estimated $197billion, Bezos was spotted lounging in the sunshine with Sanchez as the pair spent the day on a tender vessel – a much smaller pleasure boat usually attached to a larger ship.
It is unclear what vessel Bezos was staying on at the time. His own superyacht, thought to be the 417ft vessel known only as Y721, is currently under construction in the Netherlands and is due to launch this year.
Bezos has previously been linked with the Flying Fox, a 446ft charter boat, though Amazon vehemently denied that he had ‘ever set foot on the vessel’.
On December 26, the couple took a boat out with a group of friends, and spent some time laying out on a raft, where a bikini-clad Sanchez cuddled up to her shirtless beau who matched her in a pair of black swim trunks.
Jeff Bezos and partner Lauren Sanchez were pictured in St Barts last week on board a smaller tender vessel. It is unclear what yacht he was staying on at the time
Bezos (pictured with Sanchez in St Barts on December 26) has been linked with a number of yachts, though his main vessel – a 417ft sailing yacht known only as Y721 – is current under construction in the Netherlands
Bezos and Sanchez were photographed kissing and wrapping their arms around one another on the boat
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