Sir Richard Branson wears the same pair of jeans every day, according to Page Six. This is a surprisingly modest habit for a person with a fortune of 4 billion dollars (253 billion rubles).
The billionaire is the president of the Virgin Group, which generates income of more than 21 billion dollars (1326 billion rubles) per year in the global market. Branson controlled about 500 companies and is known for his charisma and eccentric behavior.
Like any experienced billionaire, he spent part of his billionth fortune on expensive things, but only in order to get money in return - like renting out the property he owns (for example, Necker Island). But when it comes to shopping, Branson prefers to remain humble without buying pure luxury goods. He also donates most of his time and money to charity.
Below you will see how an eccentric leader, who turned 69 on July 18, spends his billions.
Richard Branson began his first business at the age of fifteen. In 1972, he founded Virgin Records and began creating the Virgin Group conglomerate. So he made a fortune of 4 billion dollars (253 billion rubles).
Branson is well known for his exciting adventures and eccentricity, for example, he wore a butterfly costume while participating in a marathon.
Virgin Media, Virgin Australia and Virgin Atlantic are among the largest companies in the Virgin Group.
Luxury purchases or a profitable investment?
In general, as already mentioned above, Branson manifests himself as a modest person when it comes to luxury goods. The reason is mainly called the fact that he grew up in a middle class family. "The idea of having things that are pure luxury and really don't pay for themselves is something that bothers me a lot," he said in an interview with The Guardian magazine in 2002.
Of course, during his life he also bought luxurious items, but they are still more an investment than a satisfaction of a personal whim.
Case in point: Branson once leased a plane for $ 3,000 (190,000 rubles) when he had to fly with private passengers to the Virgin Islands. He announced that a one-way flight costs $ 39 (2,500 rubles) per person, and thus earned $ 69 (4,400 rubles). It was his first flight in his life, he said.
Necker Island
Also take, for example, the island that Branson owns. In 1978, he acquired Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands for $ 180,000 (11.5 million rubles).
After 5 years, he built a resort on the island for $ 10 million, which at the same time became his home. This resort has been visited by many celebrities: from Kate Winslet and Kate Moss to Princess Diana and Larry Page. Even the Obama family was resting there.
In 2006, according to his estimates, the cost of the island increased to $ 60 million (3,788 million rubles), which is 33,233% more than its purchase price. He previously called it the “best financial growth” he had ever achieved.
In 2009, Branson bought a 32-meter catamaran, which he called Necker Belle, for $ 6 million (379 million rubles). He began to rent it on the island at a price of $ 60,000 (3.79 million rubles) per week, and soon sold it for $ 3 million (190 million rubles).
He also bought a mini-submarine, which he called Necker Nymph, for $ 547,482 (34.5 million rubles). Starting prices for her rental start at $ 25,000 (1.5 million rubles) for seven nights on Necker Island.
But Necker Island is just one of Branson’s luxurious holdings, known collectively as Virgin Limited Edition.He also owns the Son Bunyola resort, located in the northwest of Mallorca and offers three luxury villas for guests. Moreover, he owns a mountain resort in the Swiss Alps of The Lodge. Other Branson properties are located in Africa - for example, Mont Rochelle, a hotel and vineyard near Cape Town in South Africa.
Other property
Before settling on the Necker Island, Branson lived in his mansion in Oxfordshire in Kidlington, London. It is not known how much he paid for it, but he sold it to his children for 1.78 million dollars (112 million rubles).
He also owned a house in Holland Park, London. He bought it for 3.3 million dollars (210 million rubles), and then sold for 23.12 million dollars (1460 million rubles).
In 2002, Branson still paid the mortgage. “It is economically beneficial for me to have a mortgage,” he told The Guardian. “I don’t have a specially agreed discount, if only because I’m not comfortable having a special rate.”
To fly from place to place, Branson owns his own private jet - the Falcon 50EX, which costs about 21 million dollars (1326 million rubles).
Branson also drives a Range Rover, but every year he receives it as a gift from the brand.
Life position
He also told The Guardian that he does not spend much on clothes.
He told Page Six that he wears the same pair of jeans every day with a plain white shirt.
But he leaves a big tip when someone deserves it. “Of course, I leave more tips if I feel that people have done their job with a smile,” he said.
One thing Branson doesn't spend his money on is gambling. Once he brought his two children to Las Vegas and gave them $ 40 (2526 rubles) in casino chips to teach them how to gamble.
However, the lesson failed, because they accidentally successfully put a few chips that tripled into a small state.
Branson is very fond of philanthropy. He devotes 80% of his time to Virgin Unite, the Virgin Group charity. Branson and The Virgin Group fund overhead costs and expenses for nonprofits.
For Branson, the biggest luxury is not money: “If we are talking about personal luxury and the luxury of being your own boss, the biggest reward is the amount of time that can be found for family and friends.”
