Celebrity mansions are usually next-level luxury with their endless grounds, lavish features and high-end décor, but some stars don’t settle for having their own gated megamansion, instead they’ve bought entire islands for themselves. With ultimate privacy being a massive draw, these stars have snapped up their very own slice of paradise to retreat to.
These unique purchases include sun-soaked isles in the Bahamas and the Caribbean, a unique island in Canada and even a piece of land off the cost of Wales. Keep scrolling to discover the lucky celebrities who bagged themselves an island – from Celine Dion to Bear Grylls. Plus, find out which ones have already given up on island life…
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Richard has made a massive profit on the island
Richard Branson – Necker Island
It’s only fair to start with the most famous celebrity-owned island – Richard Branson’s Necker Island. Located in the British Virgin Islands, the entrepreneur bought this island in 1978 for a surprising sum of $180,000, and it is now rumoured to be worth a dazzling $200 million.
It boasts 74 acres of land that’s surrounded by idyllic turquoise waters. Richard rents it out as a holiday destination, with customers being able to book individual rooms or even take over the entire island for an exclusive event. Fellow celebrities adore visiting the isle, and noteworthy names include Barack Obama, Mariah Carey, Kate Moss and Harry Styles. Many royals have visited too, including Prince Harry, Princess Kate and Sarah Ferguson.
Richard’s home on the island had to be rebuilt after it burned down in 2011. Speaking to HELLO!, he explained they planned the rebuild when the fire was still burning. “While the fire was still burning, we got out a big sheet of paper and started planning the rebuild. That’s the best way to cope with situations like this – to be positive and plan for the future.”
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Leonardo has had an island since 2005
Leonardo DiCaprio – Blackadore Caye
Often spotted on a yacht off the coast of some glorious location, award-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio is partial to a holiday or two. In 2005, Leo took the plunge to buy Blackadore Caye, an island off the coast of Belize. He spent $1.75 million on the land and had hopes to develop a sustainable eco resort there.
The plans included using renewable energy sources to power the hotel and mock-ups for the exclusive villas along the two-mile long isle were made. However, it’s been over a decade, and what at first seemed to be a hiatus has stretched on and the hotel is yet to open. Leo still owns the island so there is hope for the future.
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Faith Hill and Tim McGraw sold on their island
Faith Hill and Tim McGraw – L’île d’Anges
Faith Hill and Tim McGraw forked out for an island in 2003, and they settled on one called L’île d’Anges in the Bahamas. The place needed extensive work, to add water and electricity and after a painstaking nine years, the couple finally moved onto the island.
They constructed a very impressive four-bedroom, five-bathroom mansion that spanned 6,517-square-foot and also featured eight separate pavilions and private beaches. While Tim previously described the island as the “best place in the world”, the couple actually gave up their retreat in 2021. It sold for an eye-watering $35 million.
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Tyler remains tight-lipped about the details of his island
Tyler Perry – White Bay Cay
Actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry has an impressive real estate portfolio with homes in Atlanta, Wyoming and that famous one in Montecito where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle once stayed. But as well as conventional mansions, his roster includes an entire island in the Bahamas.
Tyler confirmed he owned White Bay Cay when he appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2019, but instead of revealing any juicy details about the luxury purchase, he simply told the host he used his private plane to help the people of the Bahamas when they suffered a hurricane in the same year.
Although Tyler is clearly keen to keep the private island under wraps, reports have suggested he has constructed a Balinese-style 14,000-square-foot mansion on the isle. Features include a spa and guest bungalows, according to some sources.
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Nicolas Cage sold his island to a dog!
Nicolas Cage – Leaf Cay
Con Air actor Nicolas Cage spent $3 million on a Bahamian island in 2006. Leaf Cay, as it is named, is 30 acres in size and highlights include three postcard-worthy sand beaches and deep waters ideal for harboring yachts.
The star bought the island via the company Vladi Private Islands that arranges the sale of islands to millionaires, and in 2021 it hit the market again. The island was then bizarrely snapped up by a famous dog!
The canine star at the centre of the Netflix documentary, Gunther’s Millions, who inherited German countess Karlotta Liebenstein’s fortune, is reportedly the new owner of the property. He is in the care of Italian tycoon Maurizio Mian, who we’re sure is enjoying the Hollywood star’s private island alongside his pampered pooch
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Celine sold her home with the belongings inside
Celine Dion – Île Gagnon
Celine Dion and her late husband René Angélil custom built a mansion on a private island in 2001, located in Quebec, Canada. The isle, Île Gagnon, being 19 acres and the property being 24,000 square feet. The three-storey residence featured multiple terraces, a pool and pool house, a games room and wine cellar.
Earlier this year, the property sold for $25.5 million, and it is believed Celine sold it with her belongings inside. Items left behind included Persian rugs, linens and fine China.
Bear Grylls has owned an island since 2001
Bear Grylls – St Tudwal’s Island West
Not shy of an adventure, explorer Bear Grylls even owns his own private island and he has done so since 2001. The island is St Tudwal’s Island West on the Llŷn Peninsula at Abersoch, North Wales. The star told The Times: “The island had a 200-year-old lighthouse and two lightkeeper’s cottages, but [the houses] were derelict with no power, no water, no roof and rats.” The land is believed to have cost around £95,000.
During his time on the island Bear built a 129-metre slipway to improve access and he did have an 80st slide which ran from cliffside into the sea but that had to be removed due to a breach in planning rules.