Top 10 Most Expensive Homes Ever Sold and the Billionaires Behind Them

Luxury real estate isn’t just about architecture and square footage—it’s about status, power, and global strategy. Over the last decade, some of the world’s richest individuals—from Saudi royals and Chinese tycoons to American investors and pop icons—have snapped up homes worth hundreds of millions of dollars. These estates aren't mere residences; they’re trophies in the high-stakes game of global wealth management.

Here is an in-depth look at the ten most expensive homes ever sold, the powerful people behind these purchases, and the intricate motives—investment, prestige, secrecy, or escape—that fuel such jaw-dropping real estate deals.

Buyer: Pan Sutong, Golden Group

One of the boldest real estate purchases in history came from Chinese billionaire Pan Sutong, who bought a 13,854-square-foot mansion in Hong Kong’s elite Deep Water Bay for a staggering $322 million. This exclusive neighborhood is home to some of Asia's wealthiest families.

Pan, once ranked the fourth richest man in China, purchased the estate as part of an ambitious investment strategy. However, the tides turned. He later used the property as collateral for loans on three separate occasions and eventually faced bankruptcy proceedings. The purchase remains the most expensive private residential transaction in Asia to date.

Buyer: Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia

Designed in the style of 17th-century French palaces but constructed in the 2000s, the Château Louis XIV is located on a 57-acre estate near Versailles. It boasts cutting-edge technology, including a wine cellar, a cinema, a moat, and fountains controlled by iPhones.

This grand estate was secretly acquired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, symbolizing not just opulence but political power and the pursuit of Western luxury among Gulf royalty.

Buyer: Hui Ka Yan, Evergrande Group

Situated near Hyde Park in London, this 20-room mega-mansion was purchased by Hui Ka Yan, founder of China’s real estate giant Evergrande. The acquisition was part of the group’s overseas asset diversification.

Ironically, soon after the purchase, Evergrande became the poster child of China's real estate crisis, and Hui was detained by authorities in 2023. The mansion stands today as a symbol of corporate overreach and the fragility of unchecked expansion.

Buyer: Chen Hongtian, Cheung Kei Group

Hong Kong’s ultra-exclusive “The Peak” saw another record when billionaire Chen Hongtian acquired a mansion at an astronomical price. The property was later seized as Chen's company struggled financially.

This case exemplifies the risk involved when luxury real estate is used as leverage in business empires, especially during economic downturns.

Buyer: Ken Griffin, Citadel Group

American hedge fund titan Ken Griffin made headlines when he bought four floors in the 220 Central Park South tower, setting the U.S. residential price record. His penthouse spans over 23,000 square feet with uninterrupted views of Manhattan.

Griffin is known for collecting high-end properties across cities like London, Miami, and Palm Beach, spending over $1 billion on real estate in a personal quest to establish a legacy of influence across global power centers.

Buyer: Anonymous

In 2025, this 15-acre waterfront estate in Florida's elite Port Royal neighborhood changed hands in a private sale, becoming the most expensive residential transaction in the state's history.

Little is known about the buyer, highlighting how ultra-wealthy individuals often use shell companies or trusts to maintain privacy in real estate dealings. This trend has increased amid global scrutiny on wealth transparency.

Buyer: Rinat Akhmetov, Ukraine

Ukrainian billionaire Rinat Akhmetov bought this historic villa on the French Riviera, once owned by Belgium’s King Leopold II. Built in 1830, the property sits on 35 acres and includes 14 bedrooms, an Olympic-sized pool, and a botanical garden with 20 greenhouses.

This purchase reflected Akhmetov’s shift toward secure Western assets amid Ukraine’s ongoing geopolitical instability.

Seller: Jim Jannard, Founder of Oakley

Jim Jannard, the founder of Oakley sunglasses, sold his Malibu estate in 2024 for a record-breaking $210 million. The 10-acre clifftop property includes three plots that Jannard had acquired in 2013 for $75 million.

This sale highlighted the soaring value of coastal Californian real estate and growing demand for privacy-focused compounds among the entertainment elite.

Buyers: Beyoncé and Jay-Z

Superstar couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z purchased this 30,000-square-foot coastal mansion designed by famed Japanese architect Tadao Ando. Located on the Pacific Coast Highway, the house is a modernist masterpiece that combines oceanfront luxury with Zen minimalism.

Their purchase was more than just a home—it was a cultural statement, reinforcing their dominance not only in music but also in luxury investment.

Buyer: Joseph Tsai, Alibaba Group

Joseph Tsai, co-founder of Alibaba and owner of the Brooklyn Nets, acquired this 73rd-floor penthouse in Manhattan’s most prestigious address. The purchase was made via Blue Pool Capital, a private investment firm managing Tsai’s wealth.

Formerly owned by hedge fund manager Dan Och, the property features breathtaking city views and unparalleled privacy, underlining the convergence of business, sports, and lifestyle in luxury living.

Final Thoughts: More Than Just Mansions

These mega-deals reveal more than just sky-high property prices—they paint a picture of how the world’s elite manage their wealth, navigate geopolitical shifts, and assert social dominance. From secretive trust-based purchases to strategic positioning in global capitals, these homes symbolize not only affluence but influence.

Whether for legacy, leverage, or lifestyle, these ten homes reflect a fascinating intersection of finance, culture, and power in the 21st century real estate landscape.