The world's billionaires have a long-standing history of owning some of the most luxurious yachts ever made. This can of course be explained through their wealth but also through their taste.
Following the release of this year's list of the world's billionaires by Forbes, we've decided to compile the list of the richest people who according to other media publications own a yacht.
#1 Musashi | Larry Elisson | $47 billion
The Japanese name of this Feadship XL-88 comes from the renowned samurai, Miyamoto Musashi, who is not only revered as the greatest samurai of all time but also as the author of The Book of Five Rings which deals with strategy, tactics, and philosophy that is still studied today. This choice of name does not come as a surprise knowing that Larry Ellison is an aficionado of Japanese culture.
Designed by the duo De Voogt Naval Architects/Sinot Yacht Design, the 87.78 metres of Musashi accommodate a total of 18 guests and a crew of 23. One of the two master suites faces forward on the upper deck, while the second one is aft on the bridge deck. Seven further double guest cabins are on the main deck.
#2 Senses | Larry Page | $35.2 billion
Delivered by Germany's Schweers yard in 1999, this superyacht was designed, built and engineered to rise to the challenges of exploring the world's oceans. Senses carries a comprehensive inventory of equipment and exceeds the expectations of any 21st century adventurer.
She is the opportunity for a truly unique lifestyle in luxury yachting with stylish, well appointed interiors designed by Philippe Starck.
Split-level decks provide open and shaded sun-lounging areas, secluded side pods, sheltered outdoor dining and informal seating areas, an airy and light gymnasium and a private beach club complete with Jacuzzi and vast sun beds. With impressive volume provided by six decks and a beam of 12.7m, Senses can store three tenders laterally, has full helicopter capability and a stern-launched 42' Nelson tender.
Water toys include no fewer than four high speed tenders, five waverunners, two jet skis, snorkeling gear, diving equipment and a range of towables.
#3 Dragonfly | Sergey Brin | $34.4 billion
Built by Silver Yachts in 2009, Dragonfly was hailed as the fastest, most fuel-efficient long-range cruising superyacht on the water. She has a transatlantic range at 22 knots and has a fuel consumption of only 360 litres per hour at 18 knots, extending her range to 4,500 nautical miles.
Previously named Silver Zwei her luxurious interior is designed by Silvestrin Design and her exterior styling is by Espen Oeino.
The superyacht offers accommodation for up to 18 guests, who are taken care of by a crew of 16. The most special feature is the yacht's foredeck helipad that doubles as a guest sitting area. Also she has two tender garages, one forward and one aft, the latter converting to a beach house following the launch of the tenders.
#4 Symphony | Bernard Arnault | $34 billion
Symphony, formerly known as Project 808, was launched in January 2015. She is the first Feadship yacht to exceed the 100-metre mark, surpassing the builder's previous flagship, 99-metre Madame Gu, launched in 2013. It's also the first Feadship yacht built to be fully compliant with the new Passenger Yacht Code (PYC) regulations, which allows for pleasure yachts to carry 13 to 36 passengers. Building with PYC has allowed for a custom interior that makes use of veneers, leathers and exotic materials that are compliant with the new rules. She is also certified for chartering with helicopter operations.
The yacht features exterior design by legendary yacht designer Tim Heywood with naval architecture by Feadship's De Voogt Naval Architects. Her accommodation is spread over six decks, with up to 20 guests hosted in six staterooms, including one full-beam VIP cabin, double owner's stateroom and additional guest cabins on the lower deck.
Symphony is also kitted out with a gym, a beauty salon and massage room and carries no less than three custom Pascoe tenders of 9.6, 8.3 and 7.85 metres, as well as two wave runners, two Seabobs, windsurfers, watersides and various inflatable toys. Her layout includes an observation lounge, bar and Jacuzzi on the sun deck, while the bridge deck features a terrace and outdoor cinema. The main deck hosts a six-metre contraflow, glass-bottom swimming pool with waterfall, and below the pool on the lower deck is a lounge, beach club and wellness centre, as well as an ultra-high-definition megayacht cinema.
#5 Moneikos | Leonardo Del Vecchio | $19.1 billion
Moneikos was built in 2006 by Codecasa in 2006 to a Della Role Design. The yacht can reportedly accommodate up to 16 guests in 8 cabins.
With a beam of 11.2 meters, the yacht can cruise at a speed of 14 knots for 6,000 nautical miles.
#6 Tatoosh | Paul Allen | $17.5 billion
Tatoosh is a 92.42m motor yacht, built by Nobiskrug for mobile phone magnate Craig McCaw. Then the vessel was purchased by Paul Allen for a reported $100 million. Allen also owns the motor yacht Octopus. The yacht's interior has been designed by Terence Disdale and has exterior styling by Kusch Yachts, Studio Yacht.
The owner's accommodation incorporates two deck levels and is designed for total privacy, with a full beam bedroom, family room, observation lounge, gymnasium and a private office along with two children's cabins. She can sleep 20 guests overall in a further nine double staterooms and two cabins for four staff. Amenities aboard include a cinema and a heated swimming pool with contra-flow jets and Tatoosh also has two helicopter pads.
#7 Kingdom 5KR | Prince Alwaleed | $17.3 billion
Kingdom 5KR was launched by Benetti in 1980 and was one of the world's largest yachts for many years. The 85.9 metre yacht was designed by Luigi Sturchio and originally named Nabila.
The yacht has not had a quiet life. She featured in the James Bond movie Never Say Never Again and was owned for a time by 2016 candidate for President of the United States, Donald Trump. However she can now usually be found berthed at the International Yacht Club in Antibes.
The superyacht features five decks, a disco, a cinema with seats for 12 and 2 double beds, 11 opulent suites, a helipad on top (its funnels are sloped outward to avoid interference with the helicopters), a pool with a water jet on top in front of the heliport, 2 Riva tenders, a crew of 48, a top speed of 20 knots, and cruising speed of 17.5 knots.
#8 Venus | Laurene Powell Jobs | $16.7 billion
A 78 metre aluminum yacht engineered by De Voogt Naval Architects with styling by Philippe Starck was launched in 2012 and last refitted in 2015.
One of the best Feadship superyachts of all time, Venus has a wealth of interesting design features, from her highly innovative glass exterior design to the reported high-tech amenities. The yacht is extremely secret with no interior images ever seen.
The new photos show Venus emerging from her refit with a gleaming hull, and close-up pictures give a look at intriguing details of the yacht. The bridge on Venus, for instance, is packed with Apple computers.
Sadly, Steve Jobs passed away in 2011 before the yacht was launched and never got to enjoy his vessel.
#9 Archimedes | James Simons | $15.5 billion
Archimedes is a 68.00m (223.09 ft) luxury motor yacht. She was built by Feadship in 2008 making the yacht 8 years old. With a beam of 12.30m and a draft of 3.50m, she has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. This adds up to a gross tonnage of 1462 tones. She is classified by Lloyds.
She is powered by Catepillar 3516B DITA engines of 2,000hp each, capable of reaching a maximum speed of 16 knots and cruise at 12 knots for 7500 nautical miles.
She can accommodate 8 guests in 4 cabins with an interior design by John Munford and an exterior design by John Munford.
#10 Pacific | Leonid Michelson | $14.4 billion
The 85,2m yacht was built by Lurssen in 2010. The yacht's interior has been designed by Bannenberg & Rowell Design and exterior styled by German Frers.
Pacific offers accommodation for up to 12 guests. She is also capable of carrying up to 28 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience.
The yacht has a unique colour, which seems to change in the sun.
Little more is publically known about Pacific. She has been designed and built to be a blue water superyacht made for the ocean and she will no doubt be able to explore long distances in trying conditions if required. While not plumb, her bow is reasonably sheer and it raises to an ample height above the waterline with good flare which is ideal for challenging ocean and weather conditions.
#11 Dilbar | Alisher Usmanov | $12.5 billion
Launched by Lurssen in November 2015, the superyacht was reportedly built for Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, who owns a 110 metre superyacht Dilbar, which has now been renamed Ona.
Not a lot is known about this project, only that 156m Omar could possibly be the largest yacht in the world measured by gross tonnage. It is understood that her exterior design is by Espen Oeino with interiors by Andrew Winch. Omar's construction materials of a steel hull and aluminium superstructure are confirmed.
The megayacht has recently been spotted in Germany heading out on sea trials. Omar is due to be delivered in 2016.
#12 C2 | Ronald Perelman | $12.4 billion
Little is known about C2, Eminence, Amaryllis, Titan and her share the same hull platform.
C2 is a 78.00m (255.90 ft) luxury motor yacht. She was built by Abeking & Rasmussen in 2008 making the yacht 7 years old. With a beam of 12.14m and a draft of 3.20m, she has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. This adds up to a gross tonnage of 2050 tones. She is classified by Lloyds.
#13 Nirvana | Vladimir Potanin | $12.1 billion
Built by Oceanco in 2012, Nirvana was the star of the Monaco Yacht Show the following year busting an aquarium aft and a set of revolutionary features.
With a jungle-themed interior design, the yacht features two spa pools and extensive lounging accommodations. Designed by Sam Sorgiovanni, the yacht has a transpacific range and a maximum speed of 19.5 knots.
The yacht was previously listed for sale asking 199 million euros but was supposedly taken off the market without any sale occurring.
#14 Tango | Viktor Vekselberg | $10.8 billion
Tango is a 78.00m (255.90 ft) luxury motor yacht. She was built by Feadship in 2011 making the yacht 5 years old. With a beam of 12.20m and a draft of 3.65m, she has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. This adds up to a gross tonnage of 1250 tones. She is classified by Lloyds.
#15 Amevi | Lakshmi Mittal | $9 billion
Part of the, at the time, new initiative by Oceanco to move to larger yachts, Amevi was allegedly delivered to Lakshmi Mittal for the 2007 summer season.
Amevi is a 80.00m (262.46 ft) luxury motor yacht. She was built by Oceanco in 2007 making the yacht 8 years old. With a beam of 14.20m and a draft of 3.90m, she has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. This adds up to a gross tonnage of 2500 tones.
#16 A | Andrey Melnichenko | $8.4 billion
There is perhaps no more noticeable shape than the Philippe Starck design of superyacht A. Built by Blohm and Voss in 2008 out of a steel hull and aluminum superstructure for owner Andrei Melnichenko, A has a length of 119 meters.
Crewed by 42, A is capable of accommodating 14 guests in 7 luxurious cabins. With her upside-down exterior line, A has a draft of over 5 meters which allows for plenty of volume as well as increased stability. With a meticulous attention to detail, A's interior uses wood furniture with natural light to reach an innovative style.
#17 Palladium | Mikhail Prokhorov | $7.9 billion
With an original design by Michael Leach, Palladium, formerly Project Orca, is thought to be own by Mikhail Prokhorov, Russian oligarch and owner of the Brooklyn Nets.
Palladium is a 95.15m (312.17 ft) luxury motor yacht. She was built by Blohm + Voss in 2010 making the yacht 5 years old. With a beam of 16.00m and a draft of 4.40m, she has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. This adds up to a gross tonnage of 6000 tones. She is classified by Lloyds + MCA.
#18 Mayan Queen IV | Alberto Bailleres Gonzalez | $7.6 billion
Owned by Mexican billionaire, Alberto Bailleres, Mayan Queen IV, formerly known as Project Safari, has been built as a replacement vessel for his previous 49m Feadship, MQ2.
Mayan Queen IV is a 93.25m (305.93 ft) luxury motor yacht. She was built by Blohm + Voss in 2008 making the yacht 7 years old. With a beam of 15.88m and a draft of 4.25m, she has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. This adds up to a gross tonnage of 3879 tones. She is classified by Lloyds.
She can accommodate 16 guests in 8 cabins with an interior design by Terence Disdale and an exterior design by Tim Heywood.
#19 Eclipse | Roman Abramovitch | $7.6 billion
Demoted from the rank of the largest superyacht in 2013 by Azzam, Eclipse has dominated for 3 years the superyacht rankings with a tremendous length of a 160m. Owned by Russian billionaire, Roman Abramovich, Eclipse , is now the flagship of the Blohm + Voss yards.
Built in a shroud of secrecy in 2010 to a design by Terence Disdale, Eclispe features a 16-meter long swimming pool convertible into a dance floor, a three-man private submarine, an exterior fireplace as well as space for six tenders and three helicopters.
#20 Rising Sun | David Geffen | $6.6 billion
Built by Lurssen Yachts to a famous Bannenberg exterior design, the 138m Rising Sun has beam of 18.5m and a draft of 5m. She is powered by 4 MTU engines of 12,230 hp each giving Rising Sun a maximum speed of 28 knots and a cruising speed of 26 knots.
Originally commissioned by Larry Ellison, founder of Oracle, the project was supposedly extended by 18 meters to become larger than the 126 m Octopus owned by Microsoft owner Paul Allen. Half of it was sold a year later to David Geffen, media mogul, who bought the remaining share in 2010.
#21 Seven Seas | Steven Spielberg | $3.5 billion
Owned by Steven Spielberg, Seven Seas features a large cinema, several large televisions and a large swimming pool aft.
Seven Seas is a 86.00m (282.15 ft) luxury motor yacht. She was built by Oceanco in 2010 making the yacht 5 years old. With a beam of 14.02m and a draft of 3.96m, she has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. This adds up to a gross tonnage of 2658 tones. She is classified by MCA.
She is powered by MTU engines of 4680hp each, capable of reaching a maximum speed of 20 knots and cruise at 15 knots.
She can accommodate 12 guests in 7 cabins with an interior design by Nuvolari & Lenard and an exterior design by Nuvolari & Lenard
#23 Radiant | Abdulla Al Futtaim | $3.1 billion
Built by Lurssen yachts in 2009 to a famous Tim Heywood exterior design, Radiant has a length of 110m, a beam of 16.2m and a draft of 4.6m. With a steel hull and aluminum superstructure, these metrics add up to a gross tonnage of 5,027 tones.
Commissioned by Boris Berezovsky, Russian billionaire who died in London in 2013 after having lost a huge lawsuit against Roman Abramovitch, his rival in the Russian market, the yacht was supposed to rival Abramovitch's Pelorus. The yacht has cost a reported 270 million $ to build but was sold, 10% away from completion to Abdulla al-Futtaom, UAE billionaire. The sale resulted in a lawsuit between Ousmanov and Edmiston for a 6 million commission that was ultimately paid to the brokerage firm.
#24 Ocean Victory | Victor Rashnikov | $1.87 billion
Ocean Victory was built for Russian billionaire, Victor Rashnikov and delivered in 2014.
#25 Lady Lara | Alexander Machkevich | $1.65 billion
Owned by Kazakh billionaire Alexander Machkevitch, the 91m long superyacht embarked her first sea trials in July. It is believed that Machkevitch still owns his previous yacht, which has been put on the market this year for $35million.
The superyacht's noticeable features include VIP suites with fold down balconies, a large beach club, a gym, Jacuzzi, a swimming pool and even a helipad. Lady Lara has a full displacement hull and an aluminum superstructure. Her exterior and interior design comes from Reymond Langton.
Heesen Yachts has delivered the 50-meter hybrid superyacht Orion (YN 20750), marking the Dutch shipyard's third delivery this year. The aluminum-hulled vessel completed successful sea trials in the North Sea before handover to its owner.Orion features Heesen's Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF) with hybrid propulsion, achieving silent electric cruising at 10 knots. The propulsion system combines two MTU 12V 2000 M61 (IMO III) engines with electric motors, reducing fuel consumption to 45 liters per hour in hybrid mode. The yacht offers a transatlantic range of 3,750 nautical miles at 12 knots (98 liters/hour) and reaches a top speed of 16.3 knots.Ruud vand der Stroom, Heesen CCO"The delivery of Orion is a moment of great pride for everyone at Heesen," said Ruud van der Stroom. "This yacht perfectly encapsulates our DNA: precise Dutch engineering, innovative hybrid technology, and the ability to deliver a high-quality product through dedicated collaboration."Designed by Omega Architects' Frank Laupman, Orion features a vertical bow and extensive glazing. The 499 GT interior by Cristiano Gatto incorporates 37 material varieties including Italian marble and woven leather. Accommodation includes six staterooms for twelve guests, with a main-deck owner's suite and full-beam VIP.Peter van der Zanden, General Manager Design & Development, Engineering and HeesenPeter van der Zanden, Heesen's Head of Engineering, noted: "Our expertise in lightweight aluminum construction, combined with the efficiency of the Fast Displacement Hull Form and hybrid system make ORION exceptional. This synergy reduces environmental impact while enhancing owner experience."Broker Anton Foord of Ocean Intelligence commented: "Orion offers an exceptional experience defined by performance, elegance, and technical innovation." The yacht will be available for Mediterranean charter this summer.Orion represents Heesen's continued focus on sustainable yachting solutions, following previous hybrid deliveries in its 50-meter series. The shipyard currently has five yachts under construction at its Oss facility, with scheduled deliveries through 2026.Heesen Yachts is a Dutch ship building company that specializes in custom-built superyachts in aluminum and steel from 30m to 70m in size. Founded in 1978, it has launched more than 170 yachts since its inception.Credits: Heesen Yachts
June 6, 2025
The judging process for the 2025 Honours awards has concluded in Amsterdam, with three recipients selected from 238 nominations. The winners will be announced at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) opening ceremony on October 28.Organized by The Superyacht Life Foundation in partnership with Pier 66 and FLIBS, the Honours recognize individuals making significant contributions to sustainability, innovation, and social impact within the superyacht industry. An 18-candidate shortlist was evaluated by a panel including Feadship's Farouk Nefzi, designer Espen Øino, Superyacht Times founder Merijn de Waard, and Royal Huisman's Jeroen Sirag.This year's judging panel included external perspectives from Ink Creative MD Jonny Clark and Untold Stories founder Nicola Chilton, who noted the breadth of industry initiatives beyond typical yachting activities."At its core, Superyacht Life is about celebrating the human stories that define our industry," said Dilan Sarac, Executive Director of The Superyacht Life Foundation. "Our 2025 Honourees embody the very best of what this industry can represent."The selection criteria focused on professional achievements, community engagement, philanthropy, and leadership. The three honourees were chosen unanimously following deliberations at Amsterdam's Royale Industrieele Groote Club.The October ceremony will mark the fourth edition of the awards, which aim to highlight positive contributions extending beyond traditional yachting circles. Previous honourees have been recognized for environmental initiatives, workforce development programs, and technological innovations benefiting broader maritime sectors.Credits: The Superyacht Life Foundation
June 6, 2025
Wally has officially presented its latest high-performance racing yacht, the wallyrocket71, during the 2025 Loro Piana Giraglia regatta. The 21.6-meter maxi yacht was developed through collaboration between Wally's technical team, designer Botin Partners, and owner Giovanni Lombardi Stronati, with construction completed by King Marine shipyard.The wallyrocket71 represents Wally's continued commitment to competitive sailing innovation, featuring advanced design elements including twin rudders, a high-performance bulb keel, and a sophisticated 2.7-ton water ballast system capable of transferring sides in approximately six seconds. With a displacement of 12 tons, the yacht is approximately three tons lighter than comparable Maxi 72 class vessels while maintaining similar sail area and power.Alberto Galassi, CEO of Ferretti Group, commented: "First and foremost, I want to express my thanks to the owner, Giovanni Lombardi Stronati, whose trust in this ambitious vision from day one made it all possible. With the wallyrocket71, Wally sets sail into an exciting new chapter in competitive yacht racing, launching a vessel designed to be one of the fastest in its class."Initial sea trials conducted in Valencia demonstrated the yacht's performance capabilities, achieving upwind speeds of 10.5-11 knots and matching wind speed downwind. Adolfo Carrau of Botin Partners explained the design approach: "We started from a blank sheet of paper, asking how we could beat the most competitive Maxi 72s on corrected time. When they were designed, it was to a box rule, so many parameters were already set. Now, as everyone is optimizing their boats under IRC rules, there is a lot more freedom."The racing crew, including tactician Vasco Vascotto and strategist Guillermo Parada, reported positive initial impressions of the yacht's handling and performance. Vascotto noted: "After only a few days on the water, I'm really impressed by both the construction quality and performance." Parada added: "The boat's performance is in line with our expectations: it is a complex and high-performing vessel that requires careful handling but is very exciting."The wallyrocket71 will compete in major Mediterranean events including the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Porto Cervo and Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, following its debut at the Loro Piana Giraglia.Wally's racing fleet continues to demonstrate strong performance in the 2025 season, with 15 yachts scheduled to compete across various events. Notable recent results include victories by Wally Cento V at the RORC Nelson's Cup in Antigua and dominant performances by Tilakkhana II at Palmavela. The wallyrocket51, Wally's smaller performance model, has also shown competitive results at the Central and Southern Tyrrhenian ORC National Championship.The remainder of the 2025 racing calendar includes prestigious events such as the Admiral's Cup in Cowes, the Rolex Fastnet Race, and the season-ending Rolex Middle Sea Race in Malta. Wally's growing fleet of performance yachts, ranging from the wallyrocket series to the larger Cento models, continues to establish the brand's position in competitive sailing circles.The wallyrocket71 project represents approximately 18 months of development from initial concept to launch, with the design team focused on creating a versatile yacht capable of strong performance across various wind conditions and course configurations. The yacht's construction at King Marine incorporated advanced composite materials and weight-saving techniques to achieve its target displacement.With the introduction of the wallyrocket71 and continued success of its racing fleet, Wally maintains its commitment to developing high-performance sailing yachts that combine cutting-edge technology with competitive results across international regatta circuits.Credits: Wally
June 6, 2025
Eastwind Yachts has been appointed as the central sales agent for the 114.2-meter expedition yacht Luna, currently available for €270 million. Built by Lloyd Werft in 2010 and refitted in 2015/16, the vessel is undergoing additional refit work before delivery to a new owner.The Newcruise-designed exterior and Donald Starkey interior accommodate 18 guests in 9 suites with a crew of 51. Luna's steel hull and aluminum superstructure provide a 9,500-nautical-mile range at 16.8 knots cruising speed, with a top speed of 22 knots. The diesel-electric propulsion system and ice-class hull enable global exploration in various conditions.Key features include twin helipads, a swimming pool, beach club, full spa with steam room and sauna, cinema, and two tender garages adjacent to a gym. The yacht's stabilization system ensures comfort at sea."Luna represents the pinnacle of expedition yachting with proven global capability," said an Eastwind Yachts representative. The vessel is currently the world's second-largest expedition yacht.Interested parties can contact Eastwind Yachts for viewings and additional specifications.Credits: Eastwind Yachts; Yacht Harbour archive
June 5, 2025
Viken Group, a global marine design firm specializing in cruise ships and superyachts, has appointed Anna Silvesjö as Chief Executive Officer. Silvesjö previously served as Partner and Group Chief Financial Officer of the company, which owns design studios TDoS (Tillberg Design of Sweden), Hot Lab, and Thalia Marine.Silvesjö outlined her strategic priorities for the group: "Viken Group will continue to expand into new market segments while deepening partnerships with clients through our on-brand design philosophy. Our design solutions align with each client's brand identity, culture, and target audience." She emphasized design excellence, commercial performance, and talent retention as key focus areas.Anna SilvesjöA central initiative under Silvesjö's leadership will be the development of Navigator, the group's integrated service platform for maritime projects. "Rooted in decades of experience across cruise ships, expedition yachts, and private yachts, Navigator simplifies the complexity of shipbuilding while ensuring rigorous cost control throughout development and construction," said Fredrik Johansson, Viken Group Co-Founder.The leadership transition occurs as the marine design industry continues to evolve, with Silvesjö representing one of few female executives in the sector. Her appointment reflects the group's emphasis on financial and operational management combined with design expertise.Viken Group's three subsidiaries maintain distinct specializations: TDoS in cruise ship design, Hot Lab in superyacht concepts, and Thalia Marine in naval architecture and engineering. The group currently operates across multiple international markets, serving both new construction and refit projects.No additional executive changes were announced alongside Silvesjö's promotion. The transition takes immediate effect, with Silvesjö assuming full operational responsibility for the group's global activities.Credits: Viken Group
June 5, 2025