The Most Absurd Ways Rich People Have Spent Their Money

What would you do if you had all the money in the world? Some of us would be pragmatic with our new riches and pay off debts or invest in businesses to ensure we always have a constant income. Others? They think outside of the box.

Then there are the super-rich who have access to almost bottomless money. It seems having so much wealth means you really can buy anything, even if it raises a few eyebrows. The unusual things rich people did with their money certainly isn’t what some people would spend their fortune on.

Al Capone would spend thousands of dollars on flowers for his enemies 

• Who: Al Capone
• Estimated Net Worth: $100 million
• What: Flowers for his enemies’ funerals
• Spent: $5,000 (approximately $65,000 today)

Being one of the most notorious gangsters the world has ever seen means that Al Capone’s name will likely never be forgotten. It’s believed his earnings per year would total somewhere around $1.4 billion in today’s money, leaving him with a net worth of about $100 million by the time Al Capone passed away.

Apparently, one of the many ways he flexed his muscles was to send $5,000 worth of flowers to the funerals of his enemies and rival gang members. While it might not sound like much, it works out at around $65,000 in today’s money. That’s quite the payout to prove a point, but one Capone was willing to make.
 

The gangster spent $2 million to ensure his daughter was warm 

• Who: Pablo Escobar
• Estimated Net Worth: $30 billion (approximately $64 billion today)
• What: Burning his money for warmth
• Spent: $2 million

Being on the wrong side of the law meant that Pablo Escobar always needed to tread carefully. Unfortunately, things started to catch up with the gangster, and he was forced to hide out in the jungle with nothing but his young daughter and a pile of cash. The problem? His daughter was cold, and they needed to stay hidden.

Instead of making her suffer, Escobar started burning his money, getting through a pile of $2 million in one night. Although it worked, things didn’t stay on track for Escobar. He lost his life in 1993 while on the run from a prison escape, with some claiming Escobar ended his own life and others stating it was the police.

Two Bengal tigers set Mike Tyson back several thousand dollars 

• Who: Mike Tyson
• Estimated Net Worth: $10 million
• What: Two Bengal tigers
• Spent: $140,000

There was a time when Mike Tyson was one of the highest regarded and highest paid athletes of all time. His life as a boxer has seen him become a worldwide name, but it seems the mighty fall when they have expensive taste. Now, Tyson has been left with a net worth of just $10 million.

That didn’t stop Tyson from spending $140,000 on two Bengal tigers, coming in at $70,000 each. To top it off, a trainer for his tigers set the former boxer back $125,000 a year. Purchases such as a $2.2 million 24-karat bathtub for a gift meant that Tyson eventually had to file for bankruptcy in 2003.

Businessman Sorin Ovidiu Vântu spent $100 million to have a night to remember 

• Who: Sorin Ovidiu Vântu
• Estimated Net Worth: $2.2 billion - $2.4 billion
• What: A night with his wife
• Spent: $100 million

Getting into business is usually a pretty serious affair that requires a lot of meetings, figuring things out, and keeping a straight face. What about when you’re away from the office? That can lead some rich people to do unusual things with their money. That was the case for Romanian businessman Sorin Ovidiu Vântu, who had unique plans.

What do you do when you have a net worth of more than $2 billion? You take $100 million of your riches, create a pile in your house, and get intimate with your wife on top of your money. At least, that’s how Vântu spent one of his nights in a fantasy that many of us will never experience.

Bono invested in a first-class flight for his forgotten hat 

• Who: Bono
• Estimated Net Worth: $700 million
• What: A flight for his hat
• Spent: $1,500 - $1,700

Being the frontman of U2 has earned Bono quite a number of adoring fans throughout the years. It’s also seen him gain an estimated net worth of $700 million. Certain things go hand in hand when picturing Bono, including his tinted glasses and hat. The problem? When he forgets his hat at home in London and is performing in Italy.

Rather than forget about the accessory, it’s reported Bono spent between $1,500 and $1,700 to have his hat flown first class across Europe. The hat was placed in a taxi, sent to the airport, and flown in the cockpit of a British Airways plane, where it was protected by the pilots until being reunited with the musician.

Elon Musk was determined to buy the submarine car from James Bond 

• Who: Elon Musk
• Estimated Net Worth: $219 billion
• What: The submarine car from James Bond
• Spent: $997,000

Elon Musk is a man that many have been obsessed with since he burst onto the scene several years ago. While he has done a lot for the tech industry through his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, Elon is more known for being an eccentric billionaire - and the richest man on the planet with a net worth of $219 billion.

In 2013, Elon took things one step further when he purchased the submarine car from the James Bond spy movie ‘The Spy Who Loved Me.’ It’s said the vehicle was bought for $100 from a random junk collector in 1989 but was repurchased by Elon for $997,000 after its starring role in the spy franchise.

Jocelyn Wildenstein has spent millions on surgeries to resemble a cat 

• Who: Jocelyn Wildenstein
• Estimated Net Worth: $10 million
• What: Cosmetic surgery
• Spent: $4 million

Being married to billionaire Alec Wildenstein - and their eventual divorce - was all it took for Jocelyn Wildenstein to earn her fortune. Some reports claim that Jocelyn made $2.5 billion in the divorce alongside yearly payments of $100 million, giving her a net worth of $500 million at one point. Sadly, things crumbled when the socialite filed for bankruptcy.

Now, Jocelyn has a net worth of $10 million and is best known for her extensive cosmetic surgery. Looking like a cat has earned her nicknames like “The Lion Queen” and “Catwoman” and supposedly started because Alec was a fan of big cats. It has cost Jocelyn an estimated $4 million, and she never won her husband back.

Businessman Larry Ellison spent millions on a Hawaiian island 

• Who: Larry Ellison
• Estimated Net Worth: $107.2 billion
• What: A Hawaiian island
• Spent: $300 million

What happens when you have more money than you can spend and want somewhere special to call home? If you’re anything like Larry Ellison, you spend your money on not only a mansion but an entire island. Well, almost. Larry spent $300 million buying a 98% stake in Lanai, the sixth-biggest island out of the Hawaiian Archipelago.

The purchase happened in 2012 and came with a population of 3,200. It might be little surprise that Lanai is the hardest to reach of all the islands. Still, it spans 90,000 acres and has not one but two Four Seasons resorts. Want to see it all for yourself? You’ll have to fork out $21,000 a night.

It's hard to miss Nicolas Cage's pyramid tomb he invested in 

• Who: Nicolas Cage
• Estimated Net Worth: $25 million
• What: A pyramid tomb
• Spent: $61,000

If there is one thing that the world has learned about Nicolas Cage, it's that he's probably one of the most eccentric people in the world. Perhaps that's how he ends up being associated with the unusual things rich people have done with their money? However, some have questioned just what Nic was thinking with one purchase.

That's because the actor decided to invest ahead into the afterlife by purchasing his own pyramid. The tomb is found in New Orleans and is all ready for whenever the actor passes away, meaning he can be buried like a modern-day Egyptian king. However, it did set Nicolas back a staggering $61,000, and no one really knows why.

A tiger shark art piece set Steve Cohen back millions of dollars 

• Who: Steve Cohen
• Estimated Net Worth: $17.4 billion
• What: Damien Hirst’s shark art piece
• Spent: $8 million

Getting involved as a hedge fund manager is the thing that’s brought Steve Cohen his riches, with a net worth now estimated at $17.4 million. Still, when it comes to the unusual things rich people did with their money, using millions to buy a tiger shark might be up there as one of the strangest.

The piece was an art statement by eccentric artist Damien Hirst and features a 14-foot open-mouthed shark in resin. Sadly, the first shark started to deteriorate due to not being preserved correctly. A new one was quickly sought out in 2006, and Steve even loaned the piece to the Metropolitan Museum of Art before taking his $8 million investment home.

Money is no object for Beyoncé when buying toys for Blue Ivy 

• Who: Beyoncé
• Estimated Net Worth: $500 million
• What: A solid gold rocking horse
• Spent: $600,000

Being two of the biggest names in the music industry might make it less surprising that Beyoncé and Jay-Z have access to quite the fortune. In fact, it’s estimated Beyoncé is worth $500 million alone. The pair have welcomed three children together, but it was their eldest daughter, Blue Ivy, who received an unbelievable gift for her birthday.

They say you can’t buy your child’s happiness, but dropping $600,000 on a solid gold rocking horse certainly might put a smile on their face for a few days. Money really is no object for Beyoncé and Jay-Z, especially considering this is one of many extravagant objects they have bought for their children throughout the years.

Spending millions on a jet was an impulse buy for Mark Cuban 

• Who: Mark Cuban
• Estimated Net Worth: $4.7 billion
• What: A jet plane
• Spent: $40 million

Many of us have been there. You know the times that you’re shopping late at night and end up buying something you really wouldn’t if you weren’t tired? That’s the one. While many of us end up with the latest trending cleaning product or an outfit we’ll most definitely never wear, the same can’t be said for billionaire Mark Cuban.

After all, not many have $40 million to blow on a jet plane. Still, that was the case for Cuban when he found himself scrolling through eBay late one night. Apparently, he knew he wanted it and put in a bid only to find he’d won. We guess that’s what happens with a net worth of $4.7 billion.

Mukesh Ambani built the most expensive house in the world with his riches 

• Who: Mukesh Ambani
• Estimated Net Worth: $94.1 billion
• What: The world’s most expensive house
• Spent: $1 billion

It comes to something when Forbes estimates your house is the most expensive in the world. We guess that’s what happens when you have an estimated net worth of $94.1 billion - and you’re anything like Mukesh Ambani. Inheriting an oil empire has seen Mukesh earn riches that have been enough to spend an alleged $1 billion on his house.

Of course, the megamansion comes with everything anyone could ever need. The 27-story skyscraper is complete with six underground parking levels and three helipads, with the entire building spanning 400,000 square feet. This is filled with nine elevators in the lobby alone, a 50-seat theater, and a ballroom which are all run by 600 members of staff.

Two paintings set billionaire Kenneth Griffin back half a billion dollars 

• Who: Kenneth Griffin
• Estimated Net Worth: $26.6 billion
• What: Two abstract paintings
• Spent: $500 million

It seems that investing in hedge funds might be the way forward for earning yourself billions of dollars. At least, that’s what Kenneth Griffin did to get his hands on a net worth of $26.6 billion. It’s also how he has the likes of $500 million to spend on two abstract paintings. Still, it was worth it to Kenneth.

The billionaire made both art purchases at one auction, spending half a billion dollars on one painting by Jackson Pollock and another by Willem de Kooning. It would already be quite the amount to pay, but the Chicago Tribune said it was so much that Kenneth made “one of the largest private art deals ever.”

Bill Koch wasn’t going to let a price tag stop him from owning a photo of Billy the Kid 

• Who: Bill Koch
• Estimated Net Worth: $1.6 billion
• What: A photo of Billy the Kid
• Spent: $2.3 million

How did Bill Koch earn a net worth of $1.6 billion? That was largely thanks to investing a ton of money into Koch Industry stocks before selling them on for multiple times the price. Now, Bill has the means to buy just about anything he likes, including items that set him back a cool $2.3 million.

What could have cost so much? A photo of the Wild West outlaw Billy the Kid. Considering there are only a handful of photos of Billy the Kid in the world, it might make more sense that it cost Bill Koch so much money to acquire. Now, he’s the proud owner of one hundred-year-old picture.

Prince Hans-Adam II spent millions on a unique piece of furniture 

• Who: Prince Hans-Adam II
• Estimated Net Worth: $6.39 billion
• What: The Badminton Cabinet
• Spent: $36 million

The Badminton Cabinet was already the most expensive piece of furniture ever sold as it went for $16.59 million back in 1990. However, it broke its own record in 2004 when it was purchased by none other than billionaire Prince Hans-Adam II. He might be from the microstate of Liechtenstein, but Prince Hans-Adam knows what he wants.

Being an estimated $6.39 billion meant dropping $36 million on the Badminton Cabinet was nothing for the prince. The furniture isn’t like something you would find at the store. It dates back to the 18th century, is made from ebony, and is complete with a variety of precious stones such as amethyst quartz, agate, and lapis lazuli.

There was no price too high for Bill Gates when buying da Vinci’s notebook 

• Who: Bill Gates
• Estimated Net Worth: $113 billion
• What: Leonardo da Vinci’s original notebook
• Spent: $30 million

Being an artist and scientist aren’t usually things that go hand in hand, but it’s one aspect of what made Leonardo da Vinci one of the greatest minds of all time. His legacy still lives on today, and da Vinci has been joined by a host of others who have all been noted for their brilliant thinking, including Bill Gates.

Although he hasn’t held onto his title of being the wealthiest person on the planet, Gates is still worth a staggering $113 billion. Perhaps that’s why forking out $30 million for da Vinci’s notebook - someone Gates has allegedly always admired - was like spending nothing? The 1994 purchase means Gates now owns the 16th-century book filled with original drawings and notes.

Nicolas Cage had to give back his rare dinosaur skull 

• Who: Nicolas Cage
• Estimated Net Worth: $25 million
• What: A dinosaur skull
• Spent: $276,000

Nicolas Cage was once an actor whose name was just about everywhere you looked. In fact, it’s estimated that the actor made $150 million between 1996 and 2011, leaving Nic with a current net worth of $25 million. Sadly, stories emerged that he’d blown through it all by 2015, thanks to some unusual purchases made by the star.

When it comes to the unusual things rich people did with their money, spending $276,000 on a rare dinosaur skull might be up there. Sadly for Nic, the specimen turned out to be stolen, and he had to hand it over to the authorities. That didn’t stop Nic from spending a further $150,000 on a pet octopus.

Clive Palmer has sunk millions into making a Titanic II 

• Who: Clive Palmer
• Estimated Net Worth: $2 billion
• What: Recreating the Titanic ship
• Spent: $500 million

There is being an eccentric billionaire, and then there’s Clive Palmer. Being worth a whopping $2 billion means Palmer has money to spare, but what does he do with his riches? Among other strange purchases, Palmer has sunk $500 million on recreating the famous Titanic in a project known as Titanic II. However, things haven’t gone to plan.

The Australian billionaire announced his plans in 2012 and initially hoped the ship would launch four years later. Sadly, several delays mean that Titanic II still isn’t finished in 2022. There also hasn’t been any update on the ship’s progress in four years, with many stating they think it’s insensitive and should be scrapped immediately.

A horsehair mattress might be one of Drake’s more unusual purchases 

• Who: Drake
• Estimated Net Worth: $250 million
• What: A horsehair mattress
• Spent: $400,000

He might have luxurious tastes, but that hasn’t stopped plenty of people from questioning rapper Drake’s spending habits. After all, it’s not every day you hear about someone with a horsehair mattress. Perhaps that’s little surprise when you learn he could be worth as much as $250 million? Still, Nicki Minaj claims this figure could be closer to $1 billion.

It wasn’t long before Drake spent his fortune on a $400,000 horsehair mattress, but that wasn’t the only thing that came with such a hefty price tag. Apparently, the bed is also fitted with a built-in bar to serve luxury drinks from the headboard. It seems Drake really wants to have access to everything he needs from his bed.

Money was no object when Jeff Bezos bought the Washington Post in 2013 

• Who: Jeff Bezos
• Estimated Net Worth: $167.2 billion
• What: The Washington Post
• Spent: $250 million

Let’s face it; plenty have heard of Jeff Bezos by now. Creating Amazon really put him on the map, and battling for top spot as the wealthiest person on the planet has kept him there ever since. The Washington Post has long been one of the more famous publications and was owned by the Graham family for eight decades.

That was until Bezos decided he wanted it. Apparently, he didn’t even try to bargain with the Washington Post and simply took the first offer they brought to the table. The final figure? A cool $250 million, merely a drop in the ocean of Bezos’ $167.2 billion net worth. The deal was finalized in 2013.

Roman Abramovich is the proud owner of the most expensive superyacht 

• Who: Roman Abramovich
• Estimated Net Worth: $8.6 billion
• What: The Eclipse superyacht
• Spent: $1.2 billion

It seems there’s a common theme among the megarich in the world and their superyachts. It’s certainly one way to outdo your rivals, but none have quite managed it in the way Roman Abramovich did when he purchased The Eclipse. The Russian businessman already had a host of toys, including an ice boat and Boeing 767, to his name.

However, the most expensive and largest yacht ever is the thing that gets people talking. The Eclipse cost Abramovich $1.2 billion from his $8.6 billion net worth. Here, people can enjoy 6,000 square feet, 11 suites, and three helipads. Need to leave? Don’t worry; the yacht is equipped with a submarine capable of diving to 160 feet.

Lady Gaga spent thousands on machines to detect ghosts 

• Who: Lady Gaga
• Estimated Net Worth: $320 million
• What: An Electromagnetic Field meter
• Spent: $50,000

It’s not just people in business who have earned themselves a small fortune throughout the years. Her quirky style and catchy music quickly saw Lady Gaga off to a good start. However, things have come a long way for Gaga throughout the years, and she’s now known for a host of hit songs and string of successful acting performances.

However, one thing plenty of people don’t know is that Gaga is petrified of ghosts. In fact, it’s reported the star spends thousands of dollars sending ghost hunters to each hotel before she travels. Gaga also forked out $50,000 for her own Electromagnetic Field meter to detect ghosts on her own just in case any are missed.

Trying to create a teacup dress set Lady Gaga back $52,000 

• Who: Lady Gaga
• Estimated Net Worth: $320 million
• What: a Nasa trained chemist
• Spent: $52,000

One of the many things Lady Gaga is known for are her eccentric outfits. After all, she is the pop star who wore a meat dress on the red carpet, turned up in a giant egg, and has brought to life more outfit changes than many could imagine. Apparently, Gaga is willing to go to great lengths for her looks.

That includes spending $52,000 on a Nasa trained chemist to figure out how to make steam come out from her teacup-shaped gown for the Monster Ball tour. When she’s not playing with chemistry and figuring ways to wow the crowd next, Gaga has also been known to drop $19,000 on handcrafted lace for her looks.

A Russian lawyer spent millions on the world’s most expensive violin 

• Who: Maxim Viktorov
• Estimated Net Worth: $1 million - $5 million
• What: The world’s most expensive violin
• Spent: $3.9 million

Everyone has their own passions in life, and for one Russian lawyer, it seems that passion is music. At least, it might be safe to assume that’s the case, as Maxim Viktorov spent $3.9 million on a violin back in 2008. The instrument, created by Guarneri del Gesù, is believed to be the most expensive in the world.

The violin might have been more than 200 years old by the time Viktorov got his hands on it, but that didn’t mean it was going to sit in a case forever. Instead, the lawyer hired a maestro to come and play his new purchase for him and his friends. It seems money really can buy you anything.

Kanye West has spent millions on luxurious home appliances 

• Who: Kanye West
• Estimated Net Worth: $2 billion
• What: Luxurious home appliances
• Spent: $1.5 million

What happens when you’re one of the most famous rappers in the world? Well, for Kanye West - now known as Ye - it means you have a net worth of $2 billion. It also means you can spend thousands on expensive gifts, such as a $62,000 diamond tiara for North West and a $34,000 gold skull for Jay-Z.

Away from spending up to $60,000 on diamond-encrusted teeth for himself, Ye has also spent thousands on luxurious home appliances. These include a Swarkovsi-encrusted fridge freezer and Electrolux products that set him back $750,000, as well as a further $750,000 on four gold-plated toilets. All in all, Ye’s spending habits are some of the more bizarre.

Madonna once spent thousands each month on her bottled water 

• Who: Madonna
• Estimated Net Worth: $850 million
• What: Bottled water
• Spent: $10,000 a month

Plenty have spent their days wondering what goes on in the lives of the rich and famous of the world. Not only does Madonna have an estimated net worth of $850 million, but she’s also one of the best-known singers in the world. So how does she spend her money? Among other things, it seems water.

That’s right; Madonna admitted in 2008 that she once spent $10,000 a month funding her water habit, which came in at $5 a bottle. It was all thanks to her partaking in the Jewish method of Kabbalah. This means Madonna could only drink blessed water that certainly didn’t come in cheap but was just a drop in the ocean.

Drake spent $50,000 in one night at a gentlemen's club 

• Who: Drake
• Estimated Net Worth: $250 million
• What: A night at a gentlemen's club
• Spent: $50,000

When it rains, it pours. At least, that might be the case whenever Drake is involved. It's no secret that the rapper loves to party, but not everyone knows just how far he will go to spend his fortunes on those around him. One adult entertainer was certainly in for a big paycheck the night Drake turned up.

It turns out the rapper arrived at the gentlemen's club Cameo Nightclub, where he threw enough bills in the air to cover the entire floor. It's said this eventually amounted to $50,000. To top things off, Drake was joined by rapper Bleu DaVinci who threw in an extra $25,000, bringing the total up to $75,000.

Mariah Carey’s lifestyle extends to her dogs living their best lives 

• Who: Mariah Carey
• Estimated Net Worth: $320 million
• What: Spa treatments for her dogs
• Spent: $45,000 a year

One rumor that’s circulated the internet in recent years is how Mariah Carey allegedly has a host of diva behavior. From not wanting to walk and insisting on being carried instead to not looking people in the eye or talking to those around her, there have been plenty of stories. What if her dogs live similar lifestyles?

If the stories are true, then Mariah could spend up to $45,000 a year on spa treatments for her dogs. Yes, you read that correctly. Page Six reported as much in 2016, but that’s not all. It turns out Mariah could also fork out $100,000 a month of shipping exotic flowers to wherever she is staying.

Paris Hilton’s dogs get to live a life of luxury in their personal mansion 

• Who: Paris Hilton
• Estimated Net Worth: $300 million
• What: A two-story dog mansion
• Spent: $325,000

What is it about celebrities spending as much money as they can on their pets? It seems there’s a theme emerging, and Paris Hilton is allegedly one of the ones on the list. The Hilton heiress and current businesswoman and DJ has an estimated net worth of $300 million. Perhaps that’s how she can afford her lavish lifestyle?

It seems that it’s not just Paris who benefits, as it’s reported she spent $325,000 on a two-story dog mansion. Inside, her dogs are treated to a host of wonders, such as mood lighting, designer furniture, heating, and air conditioning for when things heat up. It almost sounds like Paris’ dogs live better than most people.

The former president of South Africa spent millions ensuring his house is fire-proof 

• Who: Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma
• Estimated Net Worth: $20 million
• What: Fire-proofing his home
• Spent: $15 million

Everyone has their own fears. For Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, the former president of South Africa, it’s that his home will catch fire. He has since resigned from his job, but Zuma still has an estimated net worth of $20 million and is used to living a pretty lavish lifestyle, including calling a mansion his home.

Zuma is apparently so worried that his house will burn down that he spent $15 million investing in several swimming pools around the mansion. He even had them filled to the brim by the local fire department to make sure he never ran out of water. Thankfully, it doesn’t seem that Zuma’s had to use his investment just yet.

Mikhail Gutseriev potentially paid for the most expensive wedding of all time 

• Who: Mikhail Gusteriev
• Estimated Net Worth: $2.5 billion
• What: His son’s wedding
• Spent: $1 billion

Mikhail Gusteriev was someone in the right place at the right time, as the businessman earned a huge amount of his wealth from the fall of the Soviet Union. Now, it’s estimated that he’s worth a whopping $2.5 billion. When it comes to the unusual things rich people did with their money, Gusteriev might have gone one step further.

If the estimates are correct, then Gutseriev might have been the one to pay for the most expensive wedding ever. That’s right; his son’s big day allegedly cost $1 billion and came complete with Sting and Jennifer Lopez performing for the couple’s first dance. After all, it couldn’t be any old ceremony when billionaires are involved.

A solid gold shirt saw Datta Phuge hit worldwide headlines 

• Who: Datta Phuge
• Estimated Net Worth: $250 million
• What: A solid gold shirt
• Spent: $250 million

Plenty of us have our favorite shirt. Sure, it might not have cost the most or be the most glamorous, but it’s not always these things that matter. So what happens when you spend $250 million creating what might be the most expensive shirt in the world? That was the case for Datta Phuge, who commissioned the shirt in 2013.

The shirt was woven from gold, weighed six pounds, and took 15 goldsmiths working 16-hour days two weeks to complete. Apparently, Datta wanted a shirt that would impress the ladies because “I know I am not the best-looking man in the world.” Sadly, Datta’s life was taken in 2016 by 12 men settling a money dispute.

Justin Bieber took his love of Family Guy one step further with a custom chain 

• Who: Justin Bieber
• Estimated Net Worth: $285 million
• What: A ‘Family Guy’ necklace
• Spent: $25,000

Plenty of us can look back and admit we didn’t always make the best decisions when we were younger. Still, not all of us had to make them in the limelight, something Justin Bieber has battled with since hitting stardom as a teenager. Maybe that’s why so many people were quick to talk about his latest chain in 2011?

Bieber was 17 at the time when he stepped out in a 12-carat white diamond and 14-carat gold chain designed to look like Stewie from the animated show ‘Family Guy.’ Jason Arasheben was the one behind the piece, admitting Bieber had a specific vision for the design. There’s no word on whether Bieber still has the chain or not.

Keeping his money together cost Pablo Escobar a small fortune each month 

• Who: Pablo Escobar
• Estimated Net Worth: $30 billion (approximately $64 billion today)
• What: Rubber bands
• Spent: $2,500 a month

Being involved in the illegal substances trade quickly saw Pablo Escobar rise to become the founder and leader of the Medellín Cartel. In fact, he is still the wealthiest criminal in history and saw Columbia become the place where most people’s lives were taken due to how many massacres took place during his lengthy reign.

Having so much money meant Escobar needed a way to keep it all together. That’s how he ended up spending $2,500 a month on rubber bands alone. Apparently, keeping millions of dollars stored is no cheap business. We guess it’s not like Escobar could go to the bank and deposit his illegal earnings to keep it safe.

Pablo Escobar buried his money to stop other people from getting their hands on it 

• Who: Pablo Escobar
• Estimated Net Worth: $30 billion (approximately $64 billion today)
• What: Burying his money
• Spent: $50 billion

Being a criminal mastermind isn’t the usual way for billionaires to become some of the richest people on the planet. However, it’s trading illegal substances and items that saw Pablo Escobar earn a net worth of $30 billion, approximately $64 billion in today’s money. How? By bringing in around $50 million a day. Yes, a day.

Apparently, he was worried about getting caught short without his money and never wanted anyone to get their hands on his riches, so Escobar set about burying it around the world. It’s estimated people buried $50 billion before Escobar had their lives ended, so its location never got out. To date, most of it has never been recovered.

A lottery winner spent thousands building his own weather station 

• Who: Alan Rowley
• Estimated Net Worth: $2.3 million
• What: A backyard weather station
• Spent: $24,200

Not all millionaires earn their riches through successful businesses or by inheriting money from their families. Some, like Alan Rowley, win the lottery. However, they also go down as some of the more bizarre wealthy people. That’s because of the unusual thing Rowley did with his riches after investing in his own weather station for his backyard.

He won £1.9 million (approximately $2.3 million) in the lottery and decided to invest in the machine because “I always had a passing interest in the weather.” Apparently, Rowley wanted to be able to track and record the weather to make making plans easier. All in all, it cost the lottery winner £20,000 (approximately $24,000.)

Shaquille O’Neal has a very expensive app habit 

• Who: Shaquille O’Neal
• Estimated Net Worth: $400 million
• What: Apps
• Spent: $1,000 a week

Being a basketball legend is one thing, but being an athlete who has done so well on the court and made so many brand deals that they’re worth $400 million is another. Thankfully, Shaquille O’Neal has done a lot with his time in the limelight and is now one of the most recognized names on the court.

However, it seems there’s one thing that takes more money than many imagine: apps. That’s right; Shaq admitted to The Wall Street Journal that he spends “about $1,000 on apps a week - real money.” While it might not be much of his fortune, we can’t help but wonder what apps Shaw is buying that cost him so much.

Miley Cyrus invested in a Range Rover just for her dogs 

• Who: Miley Cyrus
• Estimated Net Worth: $160 million
• What: A Range Rover for her dogs
• Spent: $133,500

Anyone who knows Miley Cyrus or follows her on social media might have noticed that she loves her animals more than most things on the planet. The star often has a host of animals by her side at any one time and usually rescues her dogs to give them a new lease of life as part of her family.

However, Miley might have taken things one step too far by buying a Range Rover just for her dogs. The star spent $133,500 of her $160 million net worth on the vehicle, with a source telling The Daily Star the dogs can have their blankets, scratch the car, and leave their hair everywhere without Miley having to worry.

A Russian billionaire threw his money away because he got bored 

• Who: Pavel Durov
• Estimated Net Worth: $15.1 billion
• What: Throwing money out of a window
• Spent: $82

There have been plenty of days when we want to do anything but work to pass the time. However, not all of us would be tempted to start throwing money out the window. Apparently, a Russian billionaire didn’t see a problem with passing the day by emptying his pockets, as the people on the street probably wondered what was happening.

Pavel Durov owns the social media company VKontakte and was so bored that he started folding his money into tiny paper airplanes. From there, he threw 5,000 rubles (approximately $82) out the window. While it might not sound like much, it’s more than most of us could - quite literally - afford to throw away without a care in the world.

Kim Basinger once owned an entire town before she sold it on 

• Who: Kim Basinger
• Estimated Net Worth: $20 million
• What: A town
• Spent: $1.8 million

Playing a Bond Girl in ‘Never Say Never Again’ saw Kim Basinger rise to incredible levels of fame. It wasn’t long before she was one of the most sought-after faces in Hollywood and was the poster on the wall of plenty of bedrooms. Kim continued to appear in a host of movies and was in several high-profile relationships, too.

So what did Kim do with all her riches? Buy an entire town. Kim spent $1.8 million on Braselton, Georgia, in 1989 and had big plans. Apparently, the star wanted to construct a film studio and theme park but declared bankruptcy a few years later in 1993. Kim ultimately had to sell her share of the town.

65,000 pieces make up Carlos Slim’s art collection and museum 

• Who: Carlos Slim
• Estimated Net Worth: $82.3 billion
• What: An art collection and museum
• Spent: $800 million

There are two types of people who collect art: people who keep it to themselves and those who want to share it with the world. It turns out Carlos Slim falls into the latter category, as the billionaire has spent $800 million buying art and building a museum to show it off. Now, Slim is the richest man in Mexico.

With a net worth of $82.3 billion, it might be little wonder that Slim can afford to spend so many millions on art pieces from around the world. His museum, Museo Soumaya, opened its doors in 2011, and now, the six-story windowless building is home to the most impressive art collection on the planet.

Jeff Bezos spent millions of dollars on a clock that only ticks once a year 

• Who: Jeff Bezos
• Estimated Net Worth: $167.2 billion
• What: A clock that ticks once a year
• Spent: $42 million

Jeff Bezos is certainly a man with money to burn. One of the many things the creator of Amazon has spent his money on over the years is none other than the Clock of the Long Now, better known as the 10,000 Year Clock. Why? Bezos claims it’s meant to stand for “long-term thinking.”

That’s because the 10,000 Year Clock only ticks once a year and has been designed to be powered by thermal cycles and is synchronized at solar noon. There have been a handful of prototypes so far. However, Jeff’s investment set the billionaire back $42 million and will stand 500 feet tall once it’s complete.

The creator of Amazon spent millions to turn a museum into a private home 

• Who: Jeff Bezos
• Estimated Net Worth: $167.2 billion
• What: A museum
• Spent: $23 million

It seems that having access to almost unlimited funds means Jeff Bezos can do pretty much anything he likes, especially when it comes to purchasing things he loves. That was the case in 2016 when Bezos set his sights on the former Washington Textile Museum. The problem? It cost $23 million to get his hands on the building.

Thankfully for Bezos, that wasn’t an issue. Instead, the Amazon founder quickly parted ways with his money and set about converting the 27,000-square-foot former museum into a private residence. Although the museum no longer exists, Bezos did invest in a new home for all the exhibits at the George Washington University in Washington D.C.

The Sultan of Brunei has the most extensive collection of cars in the world 

• Who: The Sultan of Brunei
• Estimated Net Worth: $30 billion
• What: His car collection
• Spent: $5 billion

He might rule a country that’s smaller than Delaware, but the Sultan of Brunei has more riches than any of us could ever imagine. In fact, it’s estimated that he’s worth a staggering $30 billion, all thanks to his time at the top. So how does he spend his money? On some of the rarest and most expensive cars ever.

It’s believed the sultan has somewhere between 5,000 and 7,000 vehicles, including 604 Rolls Royces, 452 Ferraris, and 21 Lamborghinis. The sultan also has the “Star of India,” a Rolls convertible that cost a whopping $14 million and could be the world’s most expensive car. It’s estimated all these cost him somewhere around $5 billion.

The Sultan of Brunei also spends thousands of dollars on his haircut 

• Who: The Sultan of Brunei
• Estimated Net Worth: $30 billion
• What: Haircuts
• Spent: $19,000

When you have an estimated net worth of $30 billion, there’s a good chance you can afford to splash some cash on most everyday things, such as your haircut. However, we’re not sure we’ve ever heard of someone spending $19,000 on their ‘do - until now. It turns out the Sultan of Brunei does just that.

Still, it’s not just the haircut that costs the sultan so much. Apparently, his favorite barber lives in London, so he has to pay for a plane ticket there and back every time he wants to freshen up. It’s certainly one way to make a living, especially as many men have their hair cut once every few weeks.

Tamara Ecclestone spent over $1 million on a crystal bathtub 

• Who: Tamara Eccleston
• Estimated Net Worth: $300 million
• What: A crystal bathtub
• Spent: $1.5 million

The name Tamara might not ring many bells for people, but what about Ecclestone? That’s usually one that gets people’s attention. That’s all thanks to Bernie Eccleston, also known as the guy who saw something in Formula One and turned it into the highly successful sport that so many around the world know and love today.

Tamara is none other than Bernie’s daughter, who is worth $300 million all on her own. It seems that having access to so much money has seen Tamara splash out on various luxurious additions, such as a crystal bathtub. The crystal alone is thought to have cost $800,000, while the entire thing set Tamara back $1.5 million.

PG Tips created the most expensive tea bag in the world 

• Who: PG Tips
• Estimated Net Worth: $4.6 billion
• What: A diamond-encrusted tea bag
• Spent: $14,000

There are so many ways to celebrate a birthday, and plenty love to do something special for monumental milestones in their lives. It turns out that even companies are the same. If there is one thing plenty have learned about the British, it’s that they love their tea. PG Tips is one of the biggest tea brands across the nation.

The company has been in operation since 1930 and wanted to do something special for its 75th birthday. That came in the form of a diamond-encrusted tea bag. Eventually, the fully functioning tea bag sold for a whopping $14,000 at auction. Although it’s usable, there’s a good chance this will never be used for a cup of tea.

Katy Perry spent $50,000 for a date with her now-fiancé 

• Who: Katy Perry
• Estimated Net Worth: $330 million
• What: A date with Orlando Bloom
• Spent: $50,000

It can be tough to know how you’ll react to someone getting close to your partner until you see it unfold. When it comes to the unusual things rich people do with their money, paying for a date with your boyfriend might be up there on the list. However, that’s precisely what happened to Katy Perry during a charity auction.

Apparently, the singer was auctioning off a motorcycle date with Orlando Bloom when she realized she was worried about the highest bidder. Instead, Katy forked out $50,000, donated to people affected by the Woolsey Wildfire, to spend time with Orlando. It must have worked, as Katy and Orlando are now engaged and have one child together.

Lil Wayne’s diamond teeth cost him hundreds of thousands of dollars 

• Who: Lil Wayne
• Estimated Net Worth: $170 million
• What: His diamond teeth
• Spent: $150,000

Some of us would spend anything to get our hands on the perfect smile. Still, there’s usually a limit when there are limited funds in the bank. We guess it’s a good thing that rapper Lil Wayne has an estimated net worth of $170 million? That’s because he spent $150,000 on some pretty unusual dental work.

Lil Wayne took to the small screen with Jimmy Kimmel to show off his new smile. Here, he admitted to spending thousands of dollars to have his teeth encased in gold and diamonds. To those wondering if it was a grill? Nope. According to the rapper, they are a permanent feature that can’t be removed each night.

Tom Cruise bought his own sonogram machine when he was expecting Suri 

• Who: Tom Cruise
• Estimated Net Worth: $600 million
• What: A sonogram machine
• Spent: $200,000

For years, Tom Cruise believed that he would never welcome a biological child. Being married to Nicole Kidman made it look as though it wasn’t on the cards, so the couple decided to adopt two children instead. While the divorce meant the end of the family unit, it paved the way for Cruise to find a new love: Katie Holmes.

The pair quickly learned their daughter, Suri, was on the way. It seems that Cruise was so excited about becoming a dad that he invested in his own sonogram machine, so the couple could see their growing baby whenever they liked. Still, it didn’t come cheap, as Cruise spent $200,000 on the home machine.

Elton John spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on flowers in less than two years 

• Who: Elton John
• Estimated Net Worth: $500 million
• What: Flowers
• Spent: $391,000

Elton John is the joy that keeps on giving. The pianist and singer started his career in the late-’60s and has been around ever since. Even when the world thinks Elton might be about to retire, the musician shows he still has plenty of musical life left in him. Perhaps that’s how he’s now worth an impressive $500 million?

However, Elton might have some of the more unusual spending habits. That’s because, during an interview in 2000, he admitted to spending over $391,000 in under two years on fresh flowers. At the time, Elton said he was single with no one to leave the money to, but that might have changed now he’s married and a dad.

Johnny Depp spent millions scattering Hunter S. Thompson's ashes out of a cannon 

• Who: Johnny Depp
• Estimated Net Worth: $150 million
• What: Scattering Hunter S. Thompson's ashes
• Spent: $3 million

Working with author Hunter S. Thompson to bring his book 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' to life as a black comedy on the big screen first introduced Johnny Depp to the author. The movie hit the big screen in 1998, and the pair remained friends until Thompson's passing in 2005. That's where Depp came to the rescue.

Apparently, Thompson always loved explosions, and his friend wanted to honor his final wishes. That's how he ended up spending a staggering $3 million to have Thompson's ashes fired out of a bespoke cannon. It's something the actor says he still doesn't regret, even if it's one of the most bizarre ways to spend millions of dollars.

Angelina Jolie’s children have always been greeted to a nanny each 

• Who: Angelina Jolie
• Estimated Net Worth: $120 million
• What: Nannies for the children
• Spent: $900,000 a year

There’s a good chance that most parents can agree on at least one thing: having children is expensive. Being a celebrity doesn’t cut the costs and, in fact, could seem them skyrocket even more. At least, that’s long been the case for Angelina Jolie, who has raised a total of six children in the last few years.

It's believed that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt would regularly spend $10 million a year raising their children. Apparently, $900,000 of that was on nannies alone, with each child having their own nanny. There was also the $1 million they spent on private tutors, $7,000 on birthday parties, and $96,000 on clothes for them all.

Prince Alwaleed bin Talal sold his “Flying Palace” before it was even built 

• Who: Prince Alwaleed bin Talal
• Estimated Net Worth: $17 billion
• What: A customized superjumbo jet
• Spent: $500 million

Being a part of the Saudi Royal Family might have more perks than any of us ever believed. After all, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal alone has an estimated net worth of $17 billion. So, what does someone with all that money do? Invest in a plane that’s so high-tech it becomes dubbed the “Flying Palace,” of course.

The double-decker superjumbo jet is an A380 and cost the prince $319 million in 2007. Still, that wasn’t enough. Talal continued to add several upgrades to the Flying Palace until it had enough room for two of his Rolls Royces and his horses, taking the total up to $500 million. However, it was sold before the prince ever used it.