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Billionaire boltholes to survive the end of the world

Inside the remote estates the super-rich retreat to in times of trouble
Billionaire bolthole: New Zealand
The rise of luxury bunkers
Disaster-proof hideouts
The $9.6 million shelter
Enhanced security features
Sam Morgan
Sam Morgan's Hillend Station in Wānaka, New Zealand
Sam Morgan's Hillend Station: super-secure residential plots
Sam Morgan's Hillend Station: remote and hard to access
Peter Thiel
Peter Thiel's property portfolio in Otago, New Zealand
Peter Thiel's property portfolio: a private lakeside retreat
Peter Thiel's property portfolio: plans for a bunker-style compound
Bill Foley
Bill Foley's Wharekauhau estate in Wairarapa, New Zealand
Bill Foley's Wharekauhau estate: a luxury hideaway
Bill Foley's Wharekauhau estate: notable royal guests
James Cameron
James Cameron's agricultural empire in Wairarapa, New Zealand
James Cameron's agricultural empire: remote rural living
James Cameron's agricultural empire: sustainable farming enterprise
Billionaire bolthole: Hawaii
Larry Ellison
Larry Ellison's Lanai Island in Hawaii, USA
Larry Ellison's Lanai Island: the lap of luxury
Larry Ellison's Lanai Island: a self-sufficient ecosystem
Mark Zuckerberg
Mark Zuckerberg's Ko'olau Ranch in Hawaii, USA
Mark Zuckerberg's Ko'olau Ranch: a sprawling live-work compound
Mark Zuckerberg's Ko'olau Ranch: expansive survival shelter
Billionaire bolthole: Scottish Highlands
Anders Povlsen
Anders Povlsen's rural estate in the Scottish Highlands, UK
Anders Povlsen's rural estate: secluded country pile
Anders Povlsen's rural estate: isolated in the wilderness
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Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for New York Times ; Shutterstock.AI/Shutterstock

Inside the remote estates the super-rich retreat to in times of trouble

Between political turmoil, wars and natural disasters, it's no secret that the world is a pretty turbulent place right now. In preparation for the worst, the super-rich have been investing in secure estates and luxury property in some of the most remote locations across the globe. Far from the bright lights of New York City or London, the top 1% will be hunkering down in the wilderness of New Zealand, the Scottish Highlands or on islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. 

Click or scroll on to take a look at the remote retreats and locations that billionaires run to when disaster strikes...

All figures and net worths are correct at the time of publication.

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Shona Jackson

26 February 2025

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