It can be easy to daydream about how you would spend your money if you had all the riches, but not everyone can live up to the realities of such a lifestyle. If anyone, celebrities are likely to have the most relatable experiences as it is natural to hear about them splurging from time to time. Whether it be a thousand-acre town or a brand new Ferrari, these purchases are not too surprising.
In some cases, however, celebrity purchases cross the line and appear to be outlandish or crazy. The intentions and priorities become less clear, and you find yourself baffled about why they made such purchases in the first place. Take a look at some of the most absurd celebrity purchases of all time.
Braselton Township – Kim Basinger
Back in 1989, the actress Kim Basinger paid $20 million to purchase over 1,700 acres out of the 2,000 acres of Braselton in Georgia. Given that she acquired close to the entire town, Basinger explained that she wanted to turn the place into a tourist attraction. Unfortunately, in 1995, she auctioned off the town after going bankrupt.
Dinosaur Skull – Nicolas Cage
In 2007, Nicolas Cage beat Leonardo DiCaprio in an auction for a 67 million-year-old Tyrannosaurus bataar skull. Cage shelled out over $270,000 to acquire the rare fossil piece, but returned it to Mongolia in 2015 after it was deemed that the skull was originally stolen by a smuggler.
Dog Villa – Paris Hilton
Paris Hilton is certainly known for living the luxurious life, but she makes sure to give the same for her dogs. In 2009, she purchased a 300-square-foot dog villa worth $325,000. The property featured designer furniture, a balcony, and crystal chandelier, making it the ultimate luxury for her pups.
Humidifier – Celine Dion
You may be familiar with having humidifiers in your room, but for award-winning singer Celine Dion, the product cost her $2 million. In 2002, Dion had a $100 million deal to perform a three-year residency at Caesars Palace, and part of the deal included the installation of the said humidifier. The device was placed above her head during performances, said to preserve her singing voice against the desert climate.
Crystal Bathtub – Tamara Ecclestone
Tamara Ecclestone, the daughter of Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, purchased a crystal bathtub worth £1 million in 2011. Based on interviews, she noted that employees were sent to the Amazon to gather the crystals. She further explained that the cost totalled to the said amount due to the travelling, transportation of crystals, reinforcement of floors, and the like.
Gold iPhone – Victoria Beckham
The former Spice Girls singer spent over $30,000 for a gold-plated iPhone designed by Stuart Hughes. The device was made with 150 grams of 24 karat gold, and many speculations have been made on whether she decided to keep it or replace it for newer models.
Ghost Detector – Lady Gaga
In 2010, Lady Gaga spent $50,000 to purchase a “ghost detector” or an electromagnetic device to detect paranormal activity. According to reports, the pop star purchased the said device to keep ghosts away while she is on tour. To add to this, she also hires paranormal investigators to ensure all her venues and rooms are clear during every tour.
