Vantage | Why have bunkers become the new billionaire obsession?

In the realm of the ultra-wealthy, where lavish supercars, exotic pets and luxury estates are commonplace, there’s a new fascination taking hold: bunkers. Yes, you read that right—bunkers. It seems that the top 1 per cent are increasingly investing in these subterranean shelters, turning them into the latest must-have accessory in the billionaire’s portfolio.

Bunkers are in

One notable example is none other than Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, who is currently in the process of constructing a bunker in Hawaii worth a staggering $270 million. It’s almost as if these bunkers have become a status symbol among the super-rich elite.

But why exactly are billionaires so fixated on bunkers? Are they preparing for war, another pandemic, or even an apocalypse? The answer remains elusive, prompting speculation about whether they possess insider knowledge that the rest of us lack.

Equipped with blast-resistant doors and stocked with provisions for extended survival, these bunkers are essentially self-sustaining fortresses. Take, for instance, Zuckerberg’s 5,000-square-foot shelter nestled underground in Hawaii—an epitome of luxury survivalism with its eye-watering price tag.

Yet, Zuckerberg isn’t alone in his quest for bunker supremacy. Former PayPal CEO Peter Thiel famously attempted to build his bunker in New Zealand, while Bill Gates reportedly has underground security areas in each of his homes. And while these high-end bunkers come with exorbitant price tags, with some basic models starting at $500,000, they’re considered just another extravagant purchase for the billionaire class.

New Zealand emerges as bunker destination

As for the location, bunkers are cropping up all over the globe, with New Zealand emerging as a popular choice thanks to its secluded nature. This surge in demand has led to a boom in companies specialising in survival shelters, offering everything from basic underground bunkers to elaborate island fortresses complete with flamethrower-equipped moats.

But what exactly are the super-rich afraid of? Despite surviving numerous global crises in recent years, including pandemics and wars, it seems that billionaires are erring on the side of caution. Some bunkers even boast medical facilities staffed with registered nurses and stocked with a plethora of supplies, effectively transforming them into modern-day arks capable of weathering any catastrophe.

However, beneath the opulence of these underground bunkers lies a sobering truth: death remains the great equaliser. Despite their vast wealth and elaborate fortifications, billionaires are ultimately powerless against mortality. Yet, this hasn’t deterred them from trying to buy their way out of the inevitable—a futile attempt to defy the natural order of things.

In the end, the billionaire obsession with bunkers serves as a stark reminder that no amount of money can shield us from the inevitability of our own mortality. Despite their best efforts to fortify themselves against the unknown, the super-rich are just as vulnerable as the rest of us—a humbling realisation in an age of unprecedented wealth and power.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.

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