With plenty of time on your hands and more money than you could possibly spend, there’s a lot to love about living an affluent and luxurious life – and with no barriers in the way between you and all manner of pursuits, the choice when it comes to hobbies is yours for the taking.
Outside of the stresses and pressures of the business world, hobbies are a great way to relax, unwind and to live life to the fullest and from luxury yachting to first-class flying and high-end holidaying, when money is no object you can quite literally take your pick of the best of them. So, if you’re looking for a new hobby to add to your schedule where you can rub shoulders with other rich and famous individuals, then look no further – because these are the top hobbies of the wealthiest and most affluent people on the planet.
Which ones will you be indulging in in 2021?
Skiing
Skiing has long been a favourite activity amongst the wealthy, and with many investing in their own chalets in the French or Italian Alps to ensure that they get the most out of their extended annual fix, it’s a great chance to meet other like-minded people holidaying in the area, too.
Skiing is a sport and recreational activity that has been around for centuries, first as a means of transport and later, to aid in military operations during winter. These days, being able to confidently navigate the black slopes has become a status symbol all of its own, with many of the world’s biggest celebrities priding themselves on the skill. In recent years, it was rumoured that super-rich businessman Roman Abromovich was eager to purchase the entire ski resort of Courchevel, France – which is considered to be one of the most luxurious winter holiday destinations in the world.
Flying
There’s no denying that jetting off to your favourite Caribbean island in first class – or better yet, via private jet – holds an appeal all of its own, but for many of the world’s billionaires, it simply isn’t enough to satisfy their desire to soar above the clouds.
Learning to fly a plane has become an increasingly popular hobby amongst the wealthy over recent years, and is one of the most exclusive pursuits out there thanks to the huge costs involved with becoming a pilot, and in many cases, owning a plane. Getting a licence can cost upwards of £10,000.
A night at the casino
When it comes to glamour and sophistication, a night at the casino has pretty much got the monopoly on high-end hobbies, and getting dressed up to the nines for a few spins of the roulette table – all over a good bottle of Moet, of course – is a beloved pursuit of the rich. And a game of bingo can be just as fun, with online sites such as Wink Bingo experiencing a surge in popularity in recent years. If it involves spending and potentially winning big, the A-list are bound to love it – making it the ultimate hobby for those who have more money than they know what to do with!
Golf
Who doesn’t love a round or two of golf at the weekends? While some might find it boring, for others, it’s a relaxing pursuit that allows them to unwind from the stresses of a busy week of businesses, and this is particularly true of the rich and famous. From Clint Eastwood to Donald Trump, many a celebrity has been known to spend their weekend on course, and are not shy when it comes to paying the sky-high membership fees at some of the world’s finest golf clubs (we’re talking tens of thousands of pounds for the best of the bunch).
Polo
The royals are known to love a game of polo, and this highly exclusive sport has long been favoured amongst British high society families, attracting an affluent crowd of spectators to each match.
To indulge in this hobby on a regular basis, you’ll need to have your own horse, which can cost thousands on its own. Add to that the hefty membership costs for some of the nation’s finest polo clubs, and it’s little wonder that this is a hobby that is mainly reserved for the world’s wealthy.
Sailing
Every billionaire and celebrity worth their salt has travelled aboard a luxury super-yacht, with many owning an impressive collection all of their own. In fact, you’d need to be a billionaire to purchase one, because super-yachts are anything but cheap.
Despite the joys of yachting around the Mediterranean at your leisure, many also enjoy indulging in a little sailing for themselves, with A-list stars such as actor George Clooney known to dabble in the pursuit.
Of course, it’s not all about the sport side of it – partying in the Caribbean and popping champagne off the coast of Ibiza are where this hobby really comes into its own, making it one of the glitziest and most glamorous of the lot.
