George Carlin, the comic George Carlin said it best: “It’s big club and you’re not in it!” This is perhaps more evident than on the St Barts coast this week, where billionaires are mooring their superyachts in order to enjoy some winter sunshine.
On Tuesday, the boats of Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich and music and film producer David Geffen and Jan Koum of WhatsApp were photographed at anchor in Gustavia, as the wealthiest people of the planet enjoyed a Caribbean post-Christmas vacation.
The $700m, 533ft Eclipse yacht owned by Abramovich was visible easily from the coast. Geffen’s $450 million, 454ft Rising Sun was also clearly visible. Koum also had two boats nearby: the $220million Moonrise, and the $20million Power Play.
They were joined last week by Jeff Bezos (Amazon founder, former world’s wealthiest man), who canooled in the ocean along with Lauren Sanchez, while taking a day trip aboard a smaller boat.
MailOnline examines one of the most elite clubs in the globe.
As members of the most exclusive club in the world, superyachts owned by some of the wealthiest individuals were photographed anchored at St Barts on the Caribbean coast, December 28, as they enjoyed some winter sunshine
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
Jan Koum, the founder of WhatsApp was made a billionaire in 2014 after Facebook purchased the messaging app for $22billion cash and stock.
Koum, who was the CEO of WhatsApp from 2018 to 2018, resigned and left the Facebook board. His net worth is estimated at $12 billion and his charitable donations exceed $1billion.
Since 2014, the tech billionaire is said to have been dating Evelina Mambetova, a 30-year-old Crimean supermodel.
The 328ft Moonrise, which was launched last year and is estimated to be worth $220million, has eight state rooms that can accommodate 16 people. There are also windows on both ends of the vessel, providing stunning views from the sea, as well as accommodation for 32 crew members.
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 is worth $220 million and features eight staterooms with room for 16 people. There are also windows that run along the sides of Moonrise for stunning sea views.
Ms Mambetova, 30, is a Crimean Tatar supermodel, who Kiev National University and then Oxford University. She has a lot of photos from exotic places around the globe on her Instagram account
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. In August, she posted this photo of herself and her friends on a Capri yacht.
Moonrise has a number of features including a helipad on the teak deck at the front, a beach club in the back with room for entertaining guests, a gym, and interiors by Remi Tsier, French designer.
2. Rising Sun, David Geffen
David Geffen, record producer and movie director, owns the yacht Rising Sun. Many celebrities have been photographed holidaying on the expansive decks of the Rising Sun.
It was constructed in 2004 for an estimated $400 million and is 454 feet long. The boat was designed originally to be used by Larry Ellison, Oracle founder. Geffen bought half the stake in yacht and became full owner in 2010.
Rising Sun boasts 82 rooms. These include accommodation for 45 crew and 18 guests in 9 suites.
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.
One of the most distinctive features is the full-sized basketball court, the gym, and the private cinema that can be found on the owners deck, at the top, of the vessel.
Katy Perry, who is seen cuddling up with David Geffen, the yacht owner, and music producer, as she makes her way to 2019’s Google Camp Summit in Mallorca.
Ivanka Trump seen riding a jetski while on holiday aboard David Geffen’s superyacht Rising Sun in 2016. Rising Sun also was spotted in this week’s Caribbean
Rising Sun was initially built in 2004, for Oracle founder Larry Ellison. Geffen purchased half the stake in 2007, and then took complete ownership in 2010. There is enough space for 18 people. It also has a large basketball court.
Barack Obama (left) snaps Michelle (right), as they vacationed on Geffen’s yacht during April 2017, shortly before he was elected President.
Leonardo DiCaprio was photographed on Geffen’s yacht rear deck in May 2016 in a photograph taken by the billionaire
3. Eclipse, Roman Abramovich
Roman Abramovich, best-known for his ownership of Chelsea FC is part of an exclusive club of Russian oligarchs that made fortunes after the Soviet Union’s assets were returned to private hands in 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.
Although the Eclipse (533ft) was the world’s longest pleasure boat when launched in 2010, it was taken over by Azzam (a 593ft vessel owned by Dubai’s Royal Family). It cost $400million to build and is valued at approximately $700million today.
Three helicopter areas are the main attractions of Eclipse: One at the front, which lowers into storage, allows for a second helicopter landing on top. The other is on the sundeck.
There are 9 decks inside with 18 guest rooms and enough space to accommodate up 100 people. It features a 50ft long indoor pool that has a blue granite floor and can be elevated to the floor so it becomes a dance floor.
You will also find a gym, spa area and massage room as well as a beauty salon, sauna, 2 plunge pools, and a “beach club” area to the rear. The area has a kitchen and pull-out BBQ and pizza oven.
Roman Abramovich is most well-known as the Chelsea FC owner, but he also made billions through shares in Russian state companies. He owns Eclipse, which he bought in 2010 for $400million.
When it was built in 2010, the Eclipse was the biggest yacht in the world. It was eventually overtaken in 2011 by a Dubai royal yacht that cost $400million. The Eclipse features room for three helicopters as well as a 50-foot indoor 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
There are 18 cabins that provide indoor and outdoor entertainment spaces. One of the smaller lounges is located on the upper deck of this nine-deck boat.
Kendall Jenner was photographed aboard Roman Abramovich’s superyacht Eclipse, which it was when it was moored near Cannes in France. The yacht currently anchors near St Barts.
Kendall Jenner and Kris Jenner can be seen on the Eclipse yacht’s rear deck in Cannes, France in 2016.
Abramovich and Dascha Zhukova celebrated Christmas together on St Barts with Dascha in 2011.
4. Eugene Shvidler, Le Grand Bleu
Roman Abramovich’s best friend and business partner, Eugene Shvidler (whose boat is also parked near him), is valued at $2 billion. This is due to the shares that he holds in Evraz steelmaker and Norlisk Nickel mining company. Abramovich has shares as well.
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.
This yacht measures in at 370ft. It has its own helicopter pad and water purification system. There are also two other boats called 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
The interior of the boat’s interior was revealed in an image from 2000 around the time it was constructed.
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 & Abramovich, longtime business friends who have stakes in many Russian state corporations (pictured here on vacation in Scotland), are good friends.
5. Lady Jorgia, Patrick Dovigi
Patrick Dovigi, a former Canadian hockey goalkeeper became an entrepreneur even though he was still playing the sport. He started as a leasing company for construction equipment, cars and later 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 is still the company’s CEO and president. He joined the billionaire club after a string of significant acquisitions in 2017. It is estimated that Dovigi has a net worth of around $1.1billion.
The 243ft Lady Jorgia yacht was constructed in the year Dovigi was made a billionaire. It cost $90million.
The facility can accommodate 12 guests in 8 separate rooms. It also features a fully-equipped gym and spa as well indoor and outdoor cinemas. There is also a swimming pool and an entertainment area that includes an espresso bar.
Lady Jorgia, a $90million, 243ft pleasure yacht, is owned by former Canadian hocket goalie and entrepreneur Patrick Dovigi
You can sleep 12 guests on the yacht, and there are large entertaining areas (shown below) as well 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 (pictured) and Fernanda Dovigi (pictured), are valued at $1.1bn. They met while working for an environmental waste management company.
6. Jan Koum, Power Play
This is the second yacht of WhatsApp founder Mark Zuckerberg, measuring 182ft. It is much smaller than Moonrise, and it is intended to serve as support vessels, although it is also capable of going out on its own.
Koum had originally intended to transport a power-boat to the rear deck. However, he modified the ship to cost $20 million to allow for a helicopter to land at the front of his main vessel.
The Power Play can accommodate up to 6 guests in 3 suites. It also has accommodations for 10 crew members. However, most of the space is used to support activities like Moonrise.
The dive center is fully equipped and includes room for all equipment, oxygen tanks, as well as special kits that allow divers to travel to environmentally sensitive locations.
Additionally, the Power Play has a huge rear deck which is suitable for storing a helicopter that can be landed on Koum’s main vessel.
While the Power Play is a supporting vessel for Koum’s yacht, Moonrise (which has more sleeping spaces), it can sleep up to six people and 10 crew.
Power Play is dedicated to the ocean and includes an equipped diving center with equipment for users who wish to explore environmentally-protected sites.
Jan Koum, a tech billionaire who co-founded WhatsApp and then sold it to Facebook in 2014. He is said to be dating Evelina Mambetova (right).
Olivia O. Eyal Ofer
Eyal Ofer, an Israeli shipping magnate, is worth $11.4 billion. He inherited the business from his father in 2011, but has substantially expanded its holdings and diversified them to include banking, real estate and investments.
Global Holdings, his estate company, is where he has 15 Central Park West (New York), 1250 Broadway (New York) and 50 United Nations Plazas.
The yacht Olivia O was built by his distinguished team at $200 million and can accommodate 20 people in 8 suites. There are also 30 crew members.
Additional features include a pool, gym and helipad. There is plenty of deck space to the rear that can be used for swimming, fishing, or the operation of small tender boats.
Droulers from Milan designed the interior. Ofer and his spouse requested a Japanese theme. This included the use of resin and wood in bathrooms to give the bathroom a rustic cement texture.
Eyal Ofer is an Israeli shipping magnate who also owns the Olivia O. The distinctive nose of Olivia O makes it easier to sail and allows for more space back at the rear for sports and outdoor entertainment.
Excellence, Herb Chambers
Herb Chambers, the son of an artist father and bar owner was fired once for not working. He started his business selling copiers. Then he switched to cars which gave 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.
Excellence, an 263-foot, $120 million superyacht built in Germany, is now his pride and joy. Excellence was launched on May 2019.
Excellence has a glass atrium with triple height at the center that features an elevator and tiered movie screen. The pool is equipped with two Jacuzzis and a swim-up bar on its rear deck.
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, a superyacht worth $120million is owned by Herb Chambers. This American businessman was fired once by his mother because he failed to turn up at work.
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.
The bathroom has two separate bathrooms, an office with private access, and there is a sundeck. There is also a large Jacuzzi that has an electronic opening carbon-fibre shade. This large Jacuzzi can be found on the communal sundeck, which includes its own bar.
It houses two small tender boats, and offers a diving center with 28 oxygen tanks. You can even land your helicopter 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 founder and the second-richest man in the world, Elon Musk and Tesla owner Elon Musk have overtaken him. Jeff Bezos, a partner Lauren Sanchez, was seen last week on St Barts packing a PDA.
Bezos, who is worth an estimated $197billion was seen lounging with Sanchez in the sun as they spent the day together on a tender boat – which is a smaller pleasureboat that attaches to larger ships.
At the time, it is not clear on which vessel Bezos was residing. Bezos’ superyacht is believed to be the 417ft yacht Y721. It is currently being constructed in the Netherlands, and will launch later this year.
Bezos is known to have been involved with Flying Fox (446ft) before Amazon denied that he’d ever stepped foot on the boat.
The couple went on holiday together with some friends. They spent time on the boat, where Sanchez, a bikini-clad, cuddled up to Sanchez, who was wearing a pair black swim trunks.
Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos were seen last week in St Barts, aboard a smaller tender boat. His yacht of choice is not known.
Sanchez (pictured in St Barts with Bezos on 26 December) was photographed with Sanchez. However, his main yacht, a 417ft sailing yacht called Y721 is still under construction in the Netherlands.
Sanchez and Bezos were photographed kissing one another and wrapping arms around each other on the boat.