Mark Zuckerberg, one of the wealthiest and most influential individuals in the world, boasts a staggering net worth of $187 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. The CEO of Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is among the elite group of centibillionaires. His vast wealth allows him to indulge in a variety of luxuries, from Italian sports cars to sprawling estates, and even a towering statue of his wife. Here’s a closer look at how Zuckerberg chooses to spend his billions.
Cars: A Mix of Modesty and Extravagance
Zuckerberg’s taste in vehicles is a blend of practicality and indulgence. Despite his immense fortune, he has been seen driving relatively modest cars. For instance, he owns an Acura TSX and a Honda Fit, both known for their affordability rather than luxury. However, his signature vehicle is a black Volkswagen Golf GTI, which he purchased even after amassing his fortune. This car, with a starting price slightly above $30,000, showcases Zuckerberg’s preference for understated yet reliable transportation.
But not all of his car choices are modest. Zuckerberg has also splurged on high-end vehicles, such as the Italian Pagani Huayra, a supercar that sells for over $1 million. In July 2022, he revealed on Instagram two newly refurbished vintage Ford Broncos, one in baby blue and the other in black, with the caption “his and hers,” though their price remains undisclosed.
Real Estate: A Billionaire’s Playground
Zuckerberg’s spending on real estate is where his wealth truly becomes apparent. In May 2011, he purchased a 5,000-square-foot home in Palo Alto for $7 million. Since then, he has significantly upgraded the property, including the addition of a custom-made artificially intelligent assistant. To ensure his privacy, he also bought four neighboring homes, spending an additional $43 million.
In addition to his Palo Alto estate, Zuckerberg owned a townhouse in San Francisco, which he and his wife, Priscilla Chan, bought for $10 million. However, in July 2022, they sold the property for $31 million in an off-market deal, marking the most expensive residential real estate transaction in San Francisco at that time.
One of Zuckerberg’s most significant real estate investments is in Hawaii. In 2014, he expanded his property portfolio by purchasing two properties on the island of Kaua’i: the 357-acre Kahu’aina Plantation and the 393-acre Pila’a Beach, spending a total of $100 million. These properties include a former sugarcane plantation and a pristine white-sand beach.
However, his Hawaiian acquisitions have not been without controversy. In 2016, Zuckerberg faced backlash from locals after constructing a 6-foot wall around his property, and in 2017, he filed lawsuits against Hawaiian families with legal claims to land parcels within his estate. Although he eventually dropped the lawsuits, he was accused of “neocolonialism” by the residents.
Undeterred, Zuckerberg continued to expand his Hawaiian estate. In March 2021, he spent $53 million on nearly 600 additional acres on Kaua’i, and in December of the same year, he acquired 110 more acres for $17 million. Reports suggest that he is constructing a 5,000-square-foot underground bunker on the property, featuring amenities like an escape hatch and a blast-resistant door.
When Zuckerberg isn’t acquiring land, he enjoys spending time on his Hawaiian estate, where he indulges in various hobbies. He has been photographed riding a $12,000 hydrofoil off the coast of Kaua’i, and he practices archery and spear throwing on his property. He is also passionate about mixed martial arts (MMA) and has built an octagon fighting cage in his backyard.
Zuckerberg’s real estate investments aren’t limited to Hawaii and Palo Alto. In 2018, he expanded his portfolio with the purchase of two lakefront properties on Lake Tahoe, costing a combined $59 million. One of the properties, known as the Brushwood Estate, covers 5,233 square feet and sits on six acres of land. The estate includes a guest house and a private dock. Between the two properties, Zuckerberg owns about 600 feet of private shoreline along Lake Tahoe’s west shore, further demonstrating his penchant for privacy.
Yachts and Fashion: Living Large
In addition to his impressive real estate holdings, Zuckerberg also owns a megayacht named Launchpad. The 118-meter yacht, built in the Netherlands, was spotted this summer, reflecting yet another of Zuckerberg’s lavish expenditures.
While Zuckerberg’s wardrobe was once known for its simplicity, with his trademark grey t-shirts, he has recently embraced a more stylish and expensive look. He has been seen wearing designer shirts, such as a $1,150 Balmain tee, and sporting gold chain necklaces, signaling a shift in his fashion preferences as he continues to reinvent his public image.
Philanthropy: Giving Back to Society
Beyond material possessions, Zuckerberg is committed to philanthropy. In 2015, he and his wife, Priscilla Chan, established the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) to address some of society’s most pressing challenges, including eradicating disease, improving education, and supporting local communities. Since its inception, CZI has awarded over $6.91 billion in grants.
Zuckerberg is also a signatory of the Giving Pledge, a commitment made by the world’s wealthiest individuals to donate the majority of their wealth to charitable causes. He joined this initiative alongside Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, and over 200 other billionaires and millionaires. Zuckerberg has pledged to sell 99% of his Facebook shares during his lifetime, with the proceeds going toward philanthropy.
In September 2017, Zuckerberg announced plans to sell between 35 and 75 million shares over the following 18 months, raising an estimated $6 billion to $12 billion for the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. The organization has already made significant contributions, including $4.2 million for a jobs program in Kaua’i and $1 million to combat COVID-19 in the region. Additionally, CZI has funded initiatives related to criminal justice reform and affordable housing.
A significant portion of CZI’s efforts focuses on medical research. Zuckerberg and Chan have committed billions to researching cures for the world’s diseases, with the ambitious goal of curing all major diseases by the end of the century. To support this endeavor, CZI launched Biohub, a nonprofit organization dedicated to research in areas such as genomics, infectious diseases, and implantable devices. In a 2018 interview with The New Yorker, Zuckerberg expressed his optimism, stating, “We’ll basically have been able to manage or cure all of the major things that people suffer from and die from today. Based on the data that we already see, it seems like there’s a reasonable shot.”
A Final Note: A Sculptural Tribute
In one of his most recent and personal purchases, Zuckerberg commissioned a 7-foot-tall turquoise statue of his wife, Priscilla Chan. He shared a photo of the sculpture on Instagram, playfully noting that he was “bringing back the Roman tradition of making sculptures of your wife.” This unique piece of art is yet another example of how Zuckerberg uses his vast fortune to express his personal tastes and interests.
Through his various investments and philanthropic endeavors, Mark Zuckerberg continues to shape his legacy as one of the most influential figures of the 21st century. His spending habits, while often extravagant, also reflect a commitment to giving back to society and tackling some of the world’s most significant challenges.
