Society
Inside Mark Zuckerberg’s underground shelter: The billionaire bunker trend explained
The Meta chief has had to deny rumours he is preparing for the end of the world amidst a growing trend for the super rich.
Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, has recently addressed rumors about a supposed “doomsday bunker” beneath his $270 million estate in Hawaii. In an interview with Bloomberg, Zuckerberg clarified that the underground structure is “just a little shelter,” akin to a basement.
The rumors originated from a report by WIRED, which detailed a massive construction project on Zuckerberg’s 1,400-acre property on the island of Kauai, dubbed Koolau Ranch.
The underground structure, reportedly 5,000 square feet in size, is said to feature a blast-resistant door, escape hatch, and supplies. Despite Zuckerberg’s downplaying of the shelter’s significance, it has sparked interest in the trend of billionaires building luxury bunkers.
Why billionaires are building the doomsday bunkers
This trend has gained traction among the ultra-wealthy, with many viewing these structures as a combination of high-tech security measures and luxurious living spaces.
The current global climate, including threats of nuclear war, pandemics, and climate change, has fueled interest in personal survival strategies among the elite.
Companies specializing in underground survival shelters have reported a significant increase in inquiries, particularly since the covid-19 pandemic. These bunkers are no longer just bare-bones survival spaces but often include amenities like gyms, saunas, and staff quarters.
Other notable figures rumored to be interested in bunkers include Peter Thiel and Bill Gates. The cost of these structures can range from $5 million to $10 million for the most elaborate designs.
While the construction of such bunkers may seem extreme, experts suggest that for billionaires like Zuckerberg, these projects represent a small fraction of their wealth.
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