Words: Jonathan Wells
If money was no object, what would you do with your spare time?
Many millionaires spend their time giving to charity, socialising, or just making more money. However, there are certain pastimes that so many tycoons and magnates have take up that they are now considered ‘rich hobbies’.
Skiing is a favoured pastime of the rich and famous. From Bruce Springsteen to Heston Blumenthal, top earners are famous for taking to the slopes. Rumour has it that billionaire Roman Abramovich loves the pursuit so much that he even once tried to buy the entire Eastern France resort of Courchevel.
High-earners are occasionally accused of being detached from reality. But, although many of the wealthy inadvertently have their head in the clouds, some of the elite venture up there on purpose. Flying lessons, be they in a private plane or helicopter, are a particular favourite of the rich – with Hilton Hotels tycoon William Barron Hilton being a notable example.
Life in the fast lane appears to appeal to the rich and famous. Hollywood superstars from Steve McQueen to Paul Newman have bought and raced classic cars – proving that whilst money may not be able to buy happiness, it can certainly get you a whole lot of excitement.
The classic ‘rich game’, polo is a sport that exudes wealth. From the royal family to superstars such as Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy, polo has held appeal for generations of the rich.
Drinking fine wines may be a pastime of the rich, but many venture out of their heavily-stocked cellars to grow the grapes themselves. Arnold Palmer, Brad Pitt and Francis Ford Coppola have all owned their own vineyards and wineries.
Life must be plain sailing when you’re sitting on millions, so why not take to the seas? Many wealthy people while away their days on board super yachts and sailboats, with some of the more notably nautical big shots being Humphrey Bogart, George Clooney and Jack Nicklaus.
If there’s one thing that’s extravagant above all others, it has to be owning an exotic pet. Not only do you have to buy the creature to begin with, but then you have to house it and continue to provide for it. Elvis had his kangaroo, Clooney had a pig and Salvador Dali? An anteater.
It would appear that private members’ clubs are not the only type of clubs enjoyed by the wealthy. Golf, hailed as calming by some and boring by others, is another favourite pastime of the rich, with billionaire Bill Gates and actor Clint Eastwood frequently taking to the fairway.
Leonardo DiCaprio, David Beckham and Brad Pitt have all reportedly spent six figures on individual pieces of art – proving that they live by the proverb ‘art is long but life is short’.
Although it may call to mind mafia bosses and gambling rings, owning a horse is actually a fairly common pastime of the rich and famous. Robert Redford and Steven Spielberg are just two of the big-earning big-names to have horses. And, when you’ve got the money, why not?
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