The ridiculous superyachts of Russian oligarchs

With all the recent talk about the superyachts of various Russian oligarchs, the values and dollar amounts of these behemoths are starting to become meaningless. Case in point, Alexei Mordashov's Nord, valued at $500 million.

OK, so the "yacht" is 464 feet long, has 6 decks and features 20 luxurious cabins for 36 guests. It has a large swimming pool, a jacuzzi, spa, diving centre, barbecue, helipad and "beach". But still, half a billion dollars? I might, in my naivety, have guessed at a couple of million, or even a few. But how can anything cost $500 million? It's inconceivable. 

That is more than the GDP of all but the top 27 countries in the world, more than Austria, Israel or Norway. It is more than all but the three or four most expensive HOUSES in the world, including more than twice the value of Kensington Palace in central London, more than three times the value of Donald Trump's Mar a Lago property, and over five times the value of Jay Z and Beyoncé's modest pad in Bel Air. It is about the net worth of megastar sports people like LeBron Jane's and Cristiano Ronaldo, and substantially more than Roger Federer and Greg Norman. It is more than the world's most valuable artworks, including Leonard da Vinci's, Cezanne's and Picasso's most valuable paintings.

So, ridiculous? You bet!

(Mind you, it's not even close to the most expensive yacht in the world. The History Supreme, owned by Malaysia's richest man, Robert Knok, cost an estimated $4.8 billion. It is only 100 feet long, but is made from 10,000 kilograms of solid gold and platinum! Yikes!)