Pamela Anderson – Dubai
Worth: Undisclosed AmountIt’s only fitting that someone who’s most famous for how fabulous she looks running along the beach to own her own island to jog down in slow motion. In 2007, Anderson’s ex-boyfriend, Tommy Lee, gifted her this private piece of property off the coast of Dubai. The area is particularly attractive to wealthy buyers due to its white beaches and turquoise waters.
Known as The World Project, and Lee bought this one for his lover because it represents Greece. The 300 islands in the area go for anywhere between $15 and $45 million. Lee and Anderson were married for a few years in the 1990’s but split amidst rumors of domestic violence on his part. Recently, however, the two have worked things out for the sake of their nine and ten-year-old sons. The island was actually a plea to win her back in 2007, and it worked for a short period of time, but they ultimately split once again not long after the reconciliation.
Julia Roberts - The Bahamas
Worth: Undisclosed AmountWhen you’re as as famous as Julia Roberts, it must be hard to have a peaceful vacation. After all, it isn’t like she can comfortably stroll around your typical beaches and/or shopping centers – not without being mobbed, anyway. So, the natural solution is to spend a chunk of your (large) fortune to buy a private island resort. And that’s exactly what the Pretty Woman star did when she bought her piece of paradise in the Bahamas.
No one is entirely sure what the exact location of the island is, which is for obvious reasons. The last thing she wants is paparazzi to start dropping out of the sky, which seems like something they’d be willing to do for a chance to get their hands on exclusive pictures of her vacation time. The actress also has a vacation home in Hawaii that she and her family use on occasion. Hey, if you can afford it, why not?
Ricky Martin - Angra dos Reis, Brazil
Worth: $8 MillionThis Puerto Rican pop superstar is “Living la Vida Loca” in style, including taking vacations on his own lavish private island off of the coast of Brazil. What’s sort of surprising about this name being on the list is that since the success of his hit singles in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, he didn’t produce that many works, so it’s amazing he’s amassed a net worth of nearly $60 million.
In 2008, the Latin pop star dropped a cool $8 million on his little slice of heaven. The area is known for having some of the most beautiful beaches in all of South America, so it’s no wonder the star would want to call the island his. The property adjacent from his is owned by a world-renowned plastic surgeon who hosts surgery parties. How insanely creepy does that sound? Raise your hand if you want to go to a private island to get chopped up? Yeah, super rich people do live in an entirely different world, don’t they?
Gene Hackman - British Columbia, Canada
Worth: Undisclosed AmountThe Academy Award winning actor is no stranger to living life in luxury on private islands. His first island property was Fawn Island, located in Deer Harbor off of the coast of Michigan. The little piece of property is equipped with 2.3 acres of land, and a private boat dock with three homes, including a main 3,500-square foot main house along with two smaller places for guests.
But in 2005, Hackman decided it was time to trade up his little slice of paradise for an even bigger island – and one that was a bit more secluded. So, he sold Fawn Island to some happy new owners and bought a new one of the coasts of British Columbia. Apparently, he felt Fawn Island was a bit too exposed and wanted something where he could feel more secure. Hey, if you’re going to have an island fortress, you may as well make it as secure as possible, right?
Roger Waters, Shakira, and Alejandro Sanz - Bonds Cay, Bahamas
Worth: $16 MillionBonds Cay is a gorgeous, 700-acre island in, you guessed it – the Bahamas. But unlike all of the others on this list, this one happens to be owned by three celebrities, rather than one. Shakira, Roger Waters, and Alejandro Sanz decided to each put up a share of $16 million to buy Bonds Cay in 2011. It may sound odd, seeming as though the celebrities probably had never all hung out together before the deal, but at $140 million, it would be a major investment for one person, even multimillionaires.
Bonds Cay, which is about 125 miles away from the coast of Florida, is near a luxurious hot spot in the Bahamas known as the Berry Islands. The stars plan to develop their piece of heaven into the ultimate high-profile resort. As of now, it’s got plenty of luxury condos with private beach views, an 18-hole golf course, a boutique hotel, and an array of private speedboats. They also plan to have artists-in-residence, that rotate and display their works and make it a unique spot for arts and culture. The stars each own their own homes in Bonds Cay, as well.