A celebrity roaming in the city is an open invitation for gawking and constant photographs. Even a remote vacation destination offers no escape from the camera lenses of paparazzi. Many celebrities have chosen to make their own exclusive getaways by purchasing a private island. These five celebrities have made the ultimate luxurious purchase.
Johnny Depp
In 2004, Johnny Depp purchased a gorgeous 45-acre island in the Bahamas. Little Hall’s Pond Cay is everything a tropical island should be. It is has sandy, white beaches, crystal blue waters and waving palm trees. Depp named each of the eight beaches on the island after loved ones and cherished mentors. He travels to and from the island on his luxury yacht. He reportedly paid 3.6 million dollars for the long, thin strip of paradise. The modest home on the island is completely solar powered.
Sir Richard Branson
One of Branson’s first purchases after going from rags to riches was his private island located in the British Virgin Islands. He shelled out a meager 180,000 dollars to acquire Necker Island. At the time of purchase, the island was completely void of anything but native wildlife. A mere three years and 10 million dollars later, Necker Island had a large villa complete with tennis courts and swimming pools. Sir Richard spends quite a bit of time on his island, but anyone can rent out his villa if they happen to have an extra 65,000 dollars a day to spare.
Leonardo DiCaprio
DiCaprio is not your average private island owner. He has his sights set on a more noble vision. In 2004, Leo co-purchased Blackadore Caye with investor Keith D. Jackson. Blackadore Caye is a lush island just off the Belize Barrier Reef. Jackson and DiCaprio have big plans for the world’s first totally sustainable resort. They propose to make the 104-acre paradise home to a luxury hotel and spa. They have also vowed to plant native flora and return native species to the land. They would like to rid the island of invasive species of plants and animals. Their resort will be completely self-sustaining and will leave no environmental impact. Eventually, they hope to build a climate research station on Blackadore Caye.
Mel Gibson
Film star Mel Gibson has one of the largest private islands in the South Pacific. Mago Island near Fiji set him back around 9 million dollars. Aside from a few homes, this huge island is uninhabited. Gibson is very protective of the privacy of his gorgeous, unspoiled island. A long ramp provides a place to dock boats and there is a primitive airstrip for landing planes.
David Copperfield
David Copperfield is well known for his magic shows, but his 500-acre private island in the Bahamas is no illusion. Copperfield plunked down an astounding 50 million dollars for the almost unbelievably beautiful Musha Cay. It is rumored that he spent the next several years slowly acquiring the ten surrounding islands. Since its 2006 purchase, Musha Cay has undergone 40 million dollars worth of renovations. It now houses an exclusive resort that can be rented for around 60,000 thousand dollars a day.
The seclusion of these wild and luxurious private getaways are ideal for avoiding the limelight. While these islands offer an escape for their famous owners, many of them are available to rent out when the owner is off on his latest film shoot or world tour.
