The 12 Most Exclusive Events Around The World

Many of the richest people in the world work hard to acquire their fortunes so that they can also have fun. Oftentimes, this involves attending the world’s most exclusive and prestigious events.

Having recently published its annual billionaire census, Wealth-X, a company that specializes in research on the ultra-rich, broke the data down into the typical social calendar of a billionaire.

In this post, we’ve showcased the 12 most exclusive annual events where billionaires are most likely to attend. We have also provided you with information about some of the billionaires that have previously attend these events. The world’s wealthiest people spend their free time attending Wimbledon, Cannes Film Festival, Burning Man, and more.

Most Exclusive Events Around The World

#1 – Concorso D’Eleganza Villa D’Este

In a showcase every year on the shores of Italy’s Lake Como, the Concorso D’Eleganza Villa D’Este displays 50 of the greatest cars made from this time period.

One car owner each year is awarded the Best in Show award by BMW, which sponsors the event. This accolade was awarded to billionaire clothing designer Ralph Lauren in 2013 for his 1938 Bugatti 57SC Atlantic.

#2 – The Met Gala

The Met Gala is an annual fashion exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It is one of the most lavish fundraising events for the institute. The entertainment, fashion, and politically affluent flock to this themed extravaganza. This is a luxury event not to be missed.  

#3 – Cannes Film Festival

The Cannes Film Festival attracts the entertainment industry’s most talented producers, artists, actors, and directors every May. Festivals like the Cannes Festival are among the most prestigious stages for European cinema. The red carpet at Cannes represents the festival’s prestige, and glamour.

An exclusive party teeming with celebrities takes place every year aboard Paul Allen’s US$150 million, 414-foot yacht named Octopus, hosted by the Microsoft co-founder with a net worth of US$19.6 billion.

#4 – Formula One Monaco Grand Prix

Monaco Grand Prix is part of Motorsport’s Triple Crown and takes place every year in Monte Carlo on the French Riviera. It is one of the most prestigious auto races in the world.

Monaco’s royal family and Mansour Akram Ojjeh, CEO of TAG Group, an aerospace and motorsports conglomerate are both active at the Formula One world championship. In addition to investing millions into McLaren Technology, Ojjeh helped found the McLaren Formula One team.

#5 – Cartier Queen’s Cup

At the start of summer, the Guards Polo Club in England hosts the Cartier Queen’s Cup, a 22-goal polo tournament. It has been called the high point of the British polo season. The multi-week event culminates with Queen Elizabeth II presenting the silver cup to the winner.

Thai entrepreneur Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, owner of travel retail group King Power and worth US$1.6 billion, attends the event every year. His team King Power Foxes won the Queen’s Cup in 2016.

#6 – Paris Air Show

Every year the French Aerospace Industries Association puts on one of the earliest air shows in the world. More than 350,000 people attend the event, which features more than 150 aircraft showcasing the latest in aerospace technology.

Be prepared to see billionaire Elon Musk, worth an estimated US$15.6 billion, milling around the grounds. Due to a partnership between SpaceX, Boeing, and NASA in 2014, a spacecraft usually carries astronauts to the International Space Station. 

#7 – Jaeger LeCoultre Gold Cup

The Jaegar LeCoultre Gold Cup is held every year in West Sussex at the Cowdray Park Polo Club. It has the distinction of being the most important polo tournament outside Argentina. As it determines the British Open champion.

James Packer, the media magnate who’s worth over $4 billion, rides polo horses he raised at his family’s stables in South America and Australia at the club.

#8 – Royal Ascot

Great Britain’s premier racing event is Royal Ascot. Royals, invite-only guests, and anyone else who can afford a ticket watch the top racehorses in the world, as well as their wealthy owners and sponsors.

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (United Arab Emirates’ prime minister) is a frequent attendee. Al Maktoum is an established thoroughbred racehorse owner and stable owner whose fortune exceeds $5 billion. Additionally, he founded the Dubai Cup, a horse racing event in the United Arab Emirates.

#9 – Bilderberg Meeting

Approximately 150 European and North American elites gather for the Bilderberg Meeting every year, and they include some of the brightest – and wealthiest – minds in politics, finance, education, and media.

First held in 1954 for the purpose of increasing idea exchange and dialogue between the world’s superpowers, Bilderberg first took place at Hotel De Bilderberg in Oosterbeek, Netherlands. The event’s invitee list changes annually, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has previously attended.

#10 – Wimbledon

The Wimbledon tennis tournament is the world’s most prestigious oldest tennis tournament and takes place every July in London. At all levels, the sports event is unique in its focus on elegance with players wearing white tennis apparel and guests dressing to impress.

Each year, José Lemann, a savvy, US$26.6 billion Brazilian investor attends Wimbledon. During his two-year stint as a professional tennis player, Lemann played tennis at Wimbledon in 1961 after graduating from Harvard.

#11 – Les Azuriales Opera

The Azuriales Opera Festival was founded 20 years ago. There are several hundred guests from around the world who gather every August at Cap-Ferrat, France, to enjoy world-class opera performances.

In 2012, the production was reduced to a program to cultivate young, talented artists. An entrepreneur and philanthropist worth $970 million, Irvine Laidlaw financially supports Les Azuriales’ youth program and is a member of its board.

#12 – Burning Man

Tens of thousands of people gather for a week of holistic living and artistic expression in Nevada’s vast Black Rock Desert during Burning Man, which stretches from the end of August to the beginning of September.

Dustin Moskovitz, the Facebook cofounder, and CEO of Asana, is a regular attendee. In 2012, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was said to have joined his friend on “the playa,” as it is typically known.