Of whims, Larry Ellison, quite a few have already been taken away: from the 100 million dollars invested in the BMW-Oracle boat to bring home the America's Cup, to the dozens of luxury cars parked in the garage (including a Formula 1 McLaren), until the 454-metre mega-yacht with wine cellar, cinema and basketball court.
The founder of the Oracle software company, the third richest man in America (sixth in the world) and always a great lover of the sea, sailing and engines, allowed himself the last coup a few days ago: he bought for a still unofficial figure , but which is between 500 and 600 million dollars (to be paid to the now former owner, the 89-year-old David Murdock), 98% of the 365 sq km island of Lana'i, Hawaii.
Trifles, for a man worth $36 billion according to Forbes, but still the record amount for the purchase of an island, which far exceeds the 100 million dollars in value attributed to the Necker Island of the British billionaire and founder of Virgin Records, Richard Branson. An important expense, therefore, but perfectly in line with the passion for nature and the eccentric lifestyle to say the least, he who for years he lived aboard a luxury cruise ship that was later sold to music mogul David Geffen for $300 million.
Ellison therefore wanted to put his feet back "on the ground", and chose a paradisiacal islet in the Pacific, not far from Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii, in which to make investments. Lana'i in fact, although it is among the smallest islands of the archipelago, it already has an airport and two hotel complexes, as well as a golf course. According to Neil Abercrombie, historic governor of the 51st US state, who gave the news of Ellison's purchase in a press release, the software magnate would be "ready to make large investments in tourism, creating several jobs". An island of your own, it's not just a whim.
Read the news on Forbes
