When you have more money than you know what to do with, chances are you start to spend it on some pretty outlandish things.
It appears that the wealthy have recently invested in the construction of “doomsday bunkers,” leaving many wondering if something enormous is in the offing.Â
With the current state of world affairs, the question remains: Is a cataclysmic event really on the way?
Prominent tech moguls appear to think so, as they are pouring vast amounts of resources into the development of well-appointed shelters.
Mark Zuckerberg, the brains behind Facebook, is reportedly constructing an extravagant $270 million underground stronghold on Hawaii’s Kauai island.
He has created a buzz among the public and has raised questions as to whether the wealthy are planning ahead for potential disaster.
Let’s take a closer look at the mysterious hideaway of Zuckerberg and why he is not the only one going to such extremes.
Discussions have been sparked about 15 billionaires constructing doomsday bunkers, but there is no actual evidence.
Douglas Rushkoff had a revealing conversation with five affluent people who expressed their worries concerning the future and reinforced the necessity of maintaining security personnel during difficult times.
Peter Thiel’s aspirations to create a bunker in New Zealand are pending approval, and the plans of Elon Musk are also underway, likely aiming for Mars if the opportunity arises.
As the wealthy make arrangements to protect themselves, the rest of us are left to contemplate what the future might bring and how we will cope with it.
In this ever-changing environment, the billionaires are taking measures to secure themselves for whatever may come.
According to Guthrie Scrimgeour of Wired magazine, Mark Zuckerberg’s plan for a luxurious compound on Kauai is a massive project.
Over a period of almost a decade, the Facebook CEO has been purchasing land on the island and construction is currently in progress for a 1,400-acre haven, complete with mansions, treehouses, and tunnels.
The main feature of this $270 million initiative is a 5,000 sq. ft. bunker underground, equipped with its own energy and food sources, including an apparent blast-resistant door.
Mark Zuckerberg has created a unique shelter, which is an enormous 57,000-square-foot area with its own energy and food sources.
According to Business Insider, there are plans for more than twelve structures, with thirty bedrooms, thirty bathrooms, and elevators, plus offices, conference rooms, and a big kitchen.
Its door is designed to withstand powerful explosions.
The bunker also includes some fun elements, like a gym, pools, sauna, hot tub, cold plunge, and even a tennis court.
For added amusement, 11 treehouses are connected by rope bridges, creating an underground haven that is prepared in case of any unfortunate events.
It’s quite perplexing that someone professing to be a proponent of international equality would buy a bunker that excludes him from the rest of the world.
One may ask why someone like Zuckerberg, who is devoted to mankind, doesn’t make room for other inhabitants of the island or put money into something that is more for the public, such as a city park.
Mark Zuckerberg may be at the head of the pack, but he isn’t the only one with a secret hideaway in the works.
Metro revealed that PayPal mogul Peter Thiel is forging his own bunker-style haven in New Zealand, possibly to be shared with Sam Altman of OpenAI.
During a meeting with Douglas Rushkoff, five other affluent individuals alluded to their own longings for secret shelters.
Elon is also prepared for the apocalypse.
Inspired by Tesla’s Cybertruck, this multi-story structure is designed to withstand disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and even zombie apocalypses.
Created by Russian architecture firm Modern House, the CyberHouse features a reinforced concrete core that can house up to seven people.
But it’s not just about survival; the bunker also includes systems for treating and purifying water and air, making it a self-sufficient oasis in the midst of chaos.
And of course, it’s powered by solar panels and wind turbines, because why not harness renewable energy even in the most dire circumstances?
The architect behind the CyberHouse has already received interest from potential clients in Russia, Spain, and the US.
It seems that Tesla fans all over the world are eager to secure their spot in this ultimate post-apocalypse sanctuary.
And it’s not surprising why – with its state-of-the-art features and attention to detail, the CyberHouse offers a level of protection and comfort that is unmatched by traditional bunkers.
Plus, it even has a subterranean level specifically designed for parking a Tesla. Because who says you can’t ride out the apocalypse in style?
But, while some billionaires are spending their money on themselves, others have turned to philanthropy.
In 2022, Dr. Ruth L. Gottesman’s husband passed away, leaving her a big sum of money.
David Gottesman was a Wall Street financier who made quite the living off of his stocks.
After he passed away, Ruth found out that he had a whopping $1 billion in stocks and told her to “do whatever you think is right with it.”
And instead of building herself a bunker or going on a nice vacation, Ruth decided to donate the whole thing.
The money was donated to Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx.
The Bronx is the poorest borough in New York City, and Gottesman’s donation marks the largest ever made to any medical school in the country.
Albert Einstein College of Medicine’s tuition is more than $59,000 a year…
With Ruth’s generous donation, current fourth-year students will be reimbursed for the spring 2024 semester, while all those starting in the fall will have free tuition form then onwards.
Ruth worked at the medical school and started as director of psychoeducational services in 1968, according to The New York Times.
Though she’s now retired, Ruth still acts as the chair of trustees for the school.
“We have terrific medical students, but this will open it up for many other students whose economic status is such that they wouldn’t even think about going to medical school,” she said of her huge donation.
“That’s what makes me very happy about this gift,” Ruth added.