With residency estates housing some of the richest people in the world, Billionaires Row is the nickname of a handful of streets or neighborhoods around the world where only the richest of the rich can afford to live. With massive multi-million dollar estates, incredible views, and over the top luxuries, Billionaires Row offers exclusivity for those looking to enjoy their wealth in their own private paradise.
While there are several of these neighborhoods throughout the world at the moment, and more popping up in the last few years, some of the most iconic is in Manhattan, London, Malibu, and Palm Beach. As these neighborhoods grow in popularity and become more desirable, prices of homes continue to rise and increase in value as wealthier billionaires push to move in.
An oceanfront paradise, however, may be the ultimate life of luxury for the rich and famous. Located on the white sandy beaches of Palm Beach, Florida, Billionaires Row Palm Beach offers gorgeous massive estates, private beaches, and incredible ocean views for the elite. With some of the largest and most expensive home in the world, Palm Beach is a highly exclusive oasis that only a few will get to experience – a few of the most famous and richest people that is.
Who lives on Billionaires Row Palm Beach? You may not be surprised to find neighbors like Bill Gates, Jimmy Buffet, Tiger Woods, and more enjoying their life of accumulated wealth from fruitful careers on the white sand beaches of the Sunshine State. Here’s a look at the top richest people who have taken up residency on Billionaires Row Palm Beach and what they had to do to get there.
1) Bill Gates
Best known as the co-founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates is a world-famous American software developer, philanthropist, and business magnate. During his time at Microsoft he held the positions of Chief Executive Officer, chairman, and chief software architect.
Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Gates started his Microsoft journey with childhood friend Paul Allen in 1975. Together, the two created the world’s largest personal computer software company, and are known as the pioneers of the microcomputer revolution of the ‘70’s and 80’s.
As the second richest person in the world with a net worth of $104 billion dollars, Bill Gates has some money to throw around. Of course, Gates owns magnificent properties all over the world, but not surprisingly, one of those places is on Billionaires Row Palm Beach.
It wasn’t until a few years ago that Gates began his property ownership journey in Palm Beach county when he purchased a 4.5 acre horse ranch priced at $8.7 million as a gift to his daughter. But his big spending did not stop there. In fact, in Wellington, Bill Gates has multiple properties each worth millions of dollars – he actually owns five out of the six properties on his street to be exact.
2) Tiger Woods
If you know the name, then you immediately associate it with the game of golf. Tiger Woods, American professional golfer, is infamously known as one of the greatest golfers and one of the most famous athletes of all time.
Woods is tied with Sam Snead for most PGA Tour wins with a record of 82 wins so far, but has also won 15 majors, putting him in second behind Jack Nicklaus with 18 majors.
What’s more is Woods has the lowest career scoring average of 2000, the lowest in PGA history, both adjusted at 67.79, and unadjusted at 68.17. He has consecutively set golf records, won championships, and will be inducted in the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2021.
With such a renowned career in golf comes high rewards. Tiger Woods owns a pricey piece of property in Palm Beach county, specifically Jupiter Island, priced at over $50 million dollars, and for over $50million Woods got quite the set up. His beautiful oceanfront estate comes with a private beach, private golf course with four greens and bunkers, all on ten acres of land.
What’s more, is there is water on either side of Wood’s Palm Beach estate giving the professional golf legend complete privacy. In addition to an incredible outdoor space, Wood’s estate has five buildings that make up his home, gym, and even a golf training studio.
3) Jimmy Buffett
You know that really catchy “Margaritaville” song that you always hear on vacation? Well, you can thank Jimmy Buffett for that, along with a wide collection of popular hits.
Jimmy Buffett, American singer, songwriter, businessman, actor, and musician is best known for his music work that encompasses an island escapism lifestyle – ironically one that he is currently living up on Billionaires Row Palm Beach.
The famous musician has been described by Forbes as a “well-preserved businessman” as Buffett continues to take on a business venture and accumulate his wealth.
But as we all know, with hard work comes hard play. Buffett first became the most famous resident of Palm beach County when he bought a beautiful $18.5 million dollar beach front mansion.
He owned the property for a few years, then sold the estate to downsize to a cozy $4.95 million dollar home on the North End. While it is much smaller than his last property, it is still one to be admired. His home features a tropical resort style aesthetic with large palm trees, mahogany sliding doors, and beach access.
4) Thomas Peterffy
For a few consecutive years, Thomas Peterffy was the richest person in Palm Beach County and richest person in Florida. The Hungarian-born American businessman is the founder, chairman, and largest shareholder of Interactive Brokers – a US based brokerage firm.
After emigrating to the United States, Peterffy worked as an architectural draftsman and later got into computer programming with the rise of technology. In 1977, he bought a seat on the American Stock Exchange and from there helped develop the first electronic trading platform for securities.
Forbes names Peterffy the richest Hungarian and 73rd richest billionaire with an estimated worth of $17.6 billion dollars.
Thomas Peterffy is now living up his best life on Billionaires Row Palm Beach where he resides full time – and who could blame him? With beachfront mansion property and 500,000 acres of Florida land in addition to this, Peterffy is living the billionaire’s dream in a tropical paradise. While the infamous billionaire does own a home on the beautiful Billionaires Row, Peterffy chooses to stay private when it comes to his personal life, so we know very little about his beautiful mansion and excessive amenities.
5) Julia Koch
If the name Julia Koch isn’t quite ringing a bell for you, then you may recognize David Koch. David Koch was an American businessman, entrepreneur, political activist, philanthropist, and chemical engineer.
In 1970, David decided to join Koch Industries, the family business and second largest privately held company in the United States. Shortly after in 1979, David became the president of Koch Engineering and co-owner of Koch Industries along with his brother.
David worked up quite the savings with a net worth of $44.9 billion dollars which was passed along to his wife, Julia Koch, and their three children along with their mansion on Billionaires Row Palm Beach.
Currently, Julia lives in New York City, but still has an estate in Palm Beach, making her one of the wealthiest residents of Palm Beach and the 18th spot of the Forbes’ list of top billionaires (1). David and Julia bought the home originally back in 1998 and gave the estate lots of TLC throughout the years.
Together, the couple completely renovated the home making it into what it is now – a sweet paradise escape for the Koch family. Now, the family enjoys vacations to the white sandy shores to soak up the sun and enjoy the cool ocean breeze.
