Celebrity Net Worth 2012: Way-Out Billionaire Eccentrics---While few rival the legendary Howard Hughes for pure oddness, many of the recent crop of rich and famous have more than a few quirks -- such as a CEO who eats meat only if he kills it.
Ingvar Kamprad A number of today's billionaires are known for being thrifty, but Ikea founder Ingvar Kamprad Ingvar Kamprad net worth 2012 makes even Warren Buffett's lifestyle seem lavish. The self-described "stingy" billionaire flies coach, drives an old Volvo and encourages employees to use both sides of every piece of paper. He also reportedly furnishes his home from Ikea's stock of assemble-it-yourself furniture and pops into stores for meals (no doubt for the chain's famously inexpensive meatballs).
James Cameron The director of hit films that include "Avatar" and "Titanic," James Cameron spends his spare time taking submarines solo into the deepest parts of the ocean. He's also a supporter of the Mars Society, which lobbies for the colonization of the Red Planet. More: His wildest venture yet may be Planetary Resources, a company formed to mine asteroids. But he's in good company here: Partners include Google co-founder Larry Page, so the project might sound eccentric only until it works. Get the latest on Planetary Resources' recent reorganization, Planetary Resources reorg. James Cameron submarine
Roman Abramovich Billionaire Roman Abramovich (Roman Abramovich net worth 2012) installed a laser shield on his mega-yacht, Eclipse, that can track the peering cameras of paparazzi and, with a bolt of light, obliterate any photos taken, Roman Abramovich yacht anti-paparazzi photo shield.
Tamir Sapir A Soviet immigrant, Tamir Sapir started off driving a cab and later built a New York real-estate empire Tamir Sapir net worth $1.4 billion 2010 but dropped off Forbes' billionaire list when the market collapsed. Here's what moves him into eccentric territory: In 2009, feds raided his mega-yacht and found illegal hides and other souvenirs from endangered lions, tigers and bears (Oh, my!). The consequence Tamir Sapir is fined for animal pelts.
Larry Hillblom The "H" in shipping company DHL's name, billionaire Larry Hillblom was known for wearing shorts and ratty T-shirts while running the company. The biography King Larry: The Life and Ruins of a Billionaire Genius paints a picture of his sordid lifestyle as a sex tourist after he left DHL Larry Hillblom sex with underage girls. Several paternity suits Larry Hillblom paternity suits followed his 1995 death, in which his seaplane disappeared and his body was never recovered.
Prince Jefri of Brunei The brother of a sultan, this "playboy prince" Prince Jefri of Brunei family net worth $20 billion named his mega-yacht after, well, breasts Prince Jefri of Brunei christens mega yacht after breasts. But reports from a court case last year suggest Prince Jefri of Brunei has blown through nearly $15 billion and may be close to broke. The latest on his over-the-top ways, prince jefri of brunei goes bankrupt.
Henry T. Nicholas The former chief executive of wireless communications firm Broadcom, Henry T. Nicholas was accused of building a "sex cave" under his California mansion. Nicholas (Henry T. Nicholas net worth 2012, Net worth: US $ 1.5 billion) denied that the caves were there for sex; he said his underground man-made caves were just elaborate rec rooms for the entire family.
Alki David Heir to a shipping fortune and founder of numerous websites, including FilmOn, Alki David Alki David net worth 2012 $1.9 billion offered $1 million to anyone who would streak in front of President Barack Obama. Anyone take him up on his offer, juan james rodriguez streaks in front of obama $1 million.
Chuck Feeney Worth billions after co-founding and selling Duty Free Shoppers Group, Chuck Feeney gave most of his wealth to charity (chuck feeney net worth 2012 Net Worth of $1.1 billion). In the past, recipients of his funds had to sign oaths of secrecy. More public with his giving in recent years (get details on The Giving Pledge, which Feeney signed last year), Feeney's still known as a recluse who flies coach and wears a $15 watch.
Ted Turner Though Ted Turner himself hasn't said much about it, the CNN founder (Ted Turner net worth $2.0 billion dollars) is frequently cited as a friend of marijuana and a major financier of the Kentucky Hemp Museum. Numerous reports say he grew marijuana in his college dorm room. Another college interest? Taxidermy.
Jocelyn Wildenstein The former wife Jocelyn Wildenstein $2.5 billion divorce settlement of a famed art dealer art dealer Alec Wildenstein , Jocelyn Wildenstein has spent millions on plastic surgery -- designed, it's said, to make her look more like a cat.
The Duchess of Alba At 86, the woman who holds more royal titles the duchess of alba 150 titles than anyone else in the world is said to have a fondness for bright colors, big sunglasses, lace and even bikinis. And for younger men. The Duchess of Alba gave much of her fortune the duchess of alba net worth $4.9 billion to her kids before her 2011 wedding when -- at 85 -- she married a "boy toy" who was merely 60, proving her new hubby wasn't just after her money.
Peter Thiel Former PayPal CEO Peter Thiel Peter Thiel net worth 2012 $1.5 billion has provided seed money to the Seasteading Institute Seasteading Institute builds floating citiesr to that of humans. And with too much to do for one lifetime, he's given millions to the Methuselah Foundation, The foundation trying to cure Methuselah Foundation trying to find a cure for aging.
Paul Allen Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen (Paul Allen net worth of $14.2 billion as of March 2012) spent years collecting science-fiction memorabilia, including Captain Kirk's chair and the robot from "Lost in Space", eventually building a museum emp museum seattle in Seattle to hold it all. More: He's also a rock guitarist with a band, Grown Men, and he's jammed with the likes of Mick Jagger, Paul Allen's band "Grown Men".
Richard Branson With a high-profile life that includes a yacht and an island, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson Richard Branson net worth 2012 $4.2 billion might just be living well. But his space ventures seem to tilt into eccentric territory. He founded Virgin Galactic and has started selling seats on tourist flights to outer space. The starting cost of a ticket, Richard Branson sells $200,000 tickets for flights to outer space More: Last year he opened a spaceport and celebrated with his family in an richard branson rappels down building with family at spaceport opening.
Nicolas Berggruen Ironically known as the homeless billionaire, real-estate investor Nicolas Berggruen Nicolas Berggruen net worth 2012 $2.3 billion sold his homes and most of his possessions Nicolas Berggruen keeps jet and art collection more than a decade ago, and he now lives out of hotels and an overnight bag. He's still a sought-after money manager and investor who is making even more money lately, but he has committed to giving most of it away Nicolas Berggruen, Nicolas Berggruen institute arts.
Clive Palmer Clive Palmer, an Australian mining magnate Clive Palmer mining worth 2012 won international headlines when it was reported that he planned to clone dinosaurs to build a real-life Jurassic Park. His reaction to the claim, Clive Palmer denies plans for real life jurassic park His recent purchase Clive Palmer buys T-Rex hints at the opposite. More: Plans are in place for another re-creation, Clive Palmer building titanic ii set to sail in 2016.
Ingvar Kamprad A number of today's billionaires are known for being thrifty, but Ikea founder Ingvar Kamprad Ingvar Kamprad net worth 2012 makes even Warren Buffett's lifestyle seem lavish. The self-described "stingy" billionaire flies coach, drives an old Volvo and encourages employees to use both sides of every piece of paper. He also reportedly furnishes his home from Ikea's stock of assemble-it-yourself furniture and pops into stores for meals (no doubt for the chain's famously inexpensive meatballs).
James Cameron The director of hit films that include "Avatar" and "Titanic," James Cameron spends his spare time taking submarines solo into the deepest parts of the ocean. He's also a supporter of the Mars Society, which lobbies for the colonization of the Red Planet. More: His wildest venture yet may be Planetary Resources, a company formed to mine asteroids. But he's in good company here: Partners include Google co-founder Larry Page, so the project might sound eccentric only until it works. Get the latest on Planetary Resources' recent reorganization, Planetary Resources reorg. James Cameron submarine
Roman Abramovich Billionaire Roman Abramovich (Roman Abramovich net worth 2012) installed a laser shield on his mega-yacht, Eclipse, that can track the peering cameras of paparazzi and, with a bolt of light, obliterate any photos taken, Roman Abramovich yacht anti-paparazzi photo shield.
Tamir Sapir A Soviet immigrant, Tamir Sapir started off driving a cab and later built a New York real-estate empire Tamir Sapir net worth $1.4 billion 2010 but dropped off Forbes' billionaire list when the market collapsed. Here's what moves him into eccentric territory: In 2009, feds raided his mega-yacht and found illegal hides and other souvenirs from endangered lions, tigers and bears (Oh, my!). The consequence Tamir Sapir is fined for animal pelts.
Larry Hillblom The "H" in shipping company DHL's name, billionaire Larry Hillblom was known for wearing shorts and ratty T-shirts while running the company. The biography King Larry: The Life and Ruins of a Billionaire Genius paints a picture of his sordid lifestyle as a sex tourist after he left DHL Larry Hillblom sex with underage girls. Several paternity suits Larry Hillblom paternity suits followed his 1995 death, in which his seaplane disappeared and his body was never recovered.
Prince Jefri of Brunei The brother of a sultan, this "playboy prince" Prince Jefri of Brunei family net worth $20 billion named his mega-yacht after, well, breasts Prince Jefri of Brunei christens mega yacht after breasts. But reports from a court case last year suggest Prince Jefri of Brunei has blown through nearly $15 billion and may be close to broke. The latest on his over-the-top ways, prince jefri of brunei goes bankrupt.
Henry T. Nicholas The former chief executive of wireless communications firm Broadcom, Henry T. Nicholas was accused of building a "sex cave" under his California mansion. Nicholas (Henry T. Nicholas net worth 2012, Net worth: US $ 1.5 billion) denied that the caves were there for sex; he said his underground man-made caves were just elaborate rec rooms for the entire family.
Alki David Heir to a shipping fortune and founder of numerous websites, including FilmOn, Alki David Alki David net worth 2012 $1.9 billion offered $1 million to anyone who would streak in front of President Barack Obama. Anyone take him up on his offer, juan james rodriguez streaks in front of obama $1 million.
Chuck Feeney Worth billions after co-founding and selling Duty Free Shoppers Group, Chuck Feeney gave most of his wealth to charity (chuck feeney net worth 2012 Net Worth of $1.1 billion). In the past, recipients of his funds had to sign oaths of secrecy. More public with his giving in recent years (get details on The Giving Pledge, which Feeney signed last year), Feeney's still known as a recluse who flies coach and wears a $15 watch.
Ted Turner Though Ted Turner himself hasn't said much about it, the CNN founder (Ted Turner net worth $2.0 billion dollars) is frequently cited as a friend of marijuana and a major financier of the Kentucky Hemp Museum. Numerous reports say he grew marijuana in his college dorm room. Another college interest? Taxidermy.
Jocelyn Wildenstein The former wife Jocelyn Wildenstein $2.5 billion divorce settlement of a famed art dealer art dealer Alec Wildenstein , Jocelyn Wildenstein has spent millions on plastic surgery -- designed, it's said, to make her look more like a cat.
The Duchess of Alba At 86, the woman who holds more royal titles the duchess of alba 150 titles than anyone else in the world is said to have a fondness for bright colors, big sunglasses, lace and even bikinis. And for younger men. The Duchess of Alba gave much of her fortune the duchess of alba net worth $4.9 billion to her kids before her 2011 wedding when -- at 85 -- she married a "boy toy" who was merely 60, proving her new hubby wasn't just after her money.
Peter Thiel Former PayPal CEO Peter Thiel Peter Thiel net worth 2012 $1.5 billion has provided seed money to the Seasteading Institute Seasteading Institute builds floating citiesr to that of humans. And with too much to do for one lifetime, he's given millions to the Methuselah Foundation, The foundation trying to cure Methuselah Foundation trying to find a cure for aging.
Paul Allen Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen (Paul Allen net worth of $14.2 billion as of March 2012) spent years collecting science-fiction memorabilia, including Captain Kirk's chair and the robot from "Lost in Space", eventually building a museum emp museum seattle in Seattle to hold it all. More: He's also a rock guitarist with a band, Grown Men, and he's jammed with the likes of Mick Jagger, Paul Allen's band "Grown Men".
Richard Branson With a high-profile life that includes a yacht and an island, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson Richard Branson net worth 2012 $4.2 billion might just be living well. But his space ventures seem to tilt into eccentric territory. He founded Virgin Galactic and has started selling seats on tourist flights to outer space. The starting cost of a ticket, Richard Branson sells $200,000 tickets for flights to outer space More: Last year he opened a spaceport and celebrated with his family in an richard branson rappels down building with family at spaceport opening.
Nicolas Berggruen Ironically known as the homeless billionaire, real-estate investor Nicolas Berggruen Nicolas Berggruen net worth 2012 $2.3 billion sold his homes and most of his possessions Nicolas Berggruen keeps jet and art collection more than a decade ago, and he now lives out of hotels and an overnight bag. He's still a sought-after money manager and investor who is making even more money lately, but he has committed to giving most of it away Nicolas Berggruen, Nicolas Berggruen institute arts.
Clive Palmer Clive Palmer, an Australian mining magnate Clive Palmer mining worth 2012 won international headlines when it was reported that he planned to clone dinosaurs to build a real-life Jurassic Park. His reaction to the claim, Clive Palmer denies plans for real life jurassic park His recent purchase Clive Palmer buys T-Rex hints at the opposite. More: Plans are in place for another re-creation, Clive Palmer building titanic ii set to sail in 2016.
