In recent years, the notion of doomsday prepping was often associated with the wealthy elite. However, surprising data reveals that ordinary Americans have collectively spent a staggering $11 billion on survival gear in just the past year, from April 2022 to April 2023.
Studies indicate that approximately one-third of U.S. citizens acknowledge engaging in some form of preparedness. However, few possess the resources necessary to build the extravagant bunkers favored by today’s billionaire preppers.
The wealthiest individuals globally have increasingly allocated hundreds of millions of dollars toward securing underground compounds, private islands, and exclusive residential properties. Mark Zuckerberg, for instance, was revealed to be constructing a hidden fortress worth $100 million beneath his Hawaiian estate, complete with self-sustaining provisions and blast-resistant doors.
Entrepreneur Frank VanderSloot, Idaho’s richest man, recently acquired a sprawling 2,000-acre farm adjacent to Zuckerberg’s compound for a total of $51 million.
High-profile figures like Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, and Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal, have publicly disclosed their contingency plans for apocalyptic scenarios. Altman once stated that he and Thiel had arrangements in place for such eventualities, including seeking refuge in one of Thiel’s properties in New Zealand.
New Zealand has emerged as a popular destination for billionaire preppers, with its breathtaking landscapes and remote location offering a sense of security in times of crisis. However, attempts by some to carve out fortified retreats have faced opposition from local authorities concerned about environmental impacts.
Larry Page, co-founder of Google, and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos have both obtained residency in New Zealand. Meanwhile, billionaire cryptocurrency investor Michael Delonisku relocated to New Zealand with his wife following the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in 2020.
Hamilton, Hanmer Springs, and Wanaka are among the preferred locations for bunker construction, with already-existing shelters catering to the needs of the wealthy. Additionally, private companies like Rising S have capitalized on the demand, boasting the construction of 14 fortified shelters in New Zealand alone.
The trend extends beyond real estate acquisitions, with some billionaires pursuing citizenship in foreign countries through so-called “golden visas.” These programs offer residency and even citizenship in exchange for substantial financial investments, providing an additional layer of security for the ultra-rich.
Table of Contents
The Rise of Doomsday Prepping Among the Elite
In recent times, an increasing number of billionaires are investing heavily in constructing doomsday bunkers to shield themselves from potential global catastrophes. This surge in preparedness is driven by a multitude of fears, from the outbreak of a third world war to the emergence of a deadly virus ominously referred to as “Disease X” by the World Health Organization. The trend has even prompted the U.S. government and others to refurbish Cold War-era bunkers designed to withstand nuclear fallout, indicating a broader concern about global stability and safety.
High-Profile Names Investing in Survival
Several high-profile figures have become synonymous with this new wave of doomsday prepping. Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is known for his forward-thinking approach and futuristic ventures. Musk has reportedly invested in high-tech bunkers, reflecting his concerns about potential existential threats. Similarly, Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder of Facebook, has joined the ranks of those building personal shelters, demonstrating that even the tech giants are not immune to these fears.
Reality TV star Kim Kardashian and pop icon Taylor Swift have also made headlines for their investments in disaster shelters. Kardashian, known for her luxurious lifestyle, has reportedly spared no expense in ensuring her family’s safety, with state-of-the-art bunkers designed to withstand various calamities. Taylor Swift, one of the world’s highest-earning musicians, has similarly ensured that she has a secure retreat in case of an emergency.
Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, has been a long-time advocate for pandemic preparedness and is known to have built luxury bunkers in each of his homes. Gates’ proactive approach underscores his broader commitment to public health and safety.
The Role of Specialized Companies
The rise in demand for private bunkers has led to the growth of specialized companies that cater to the specific needs of the ultra-wealthy. Gary Lynch, General Manager of Rising S Company, a Texas-based builder of luxury bunkers, has seen a significant uptick in business. Lynch mentions building a $5 million shelter for a wealthy client in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, complete with all the amenities necessary for extended habitation.
The “Millionaire’s Refuge” in Florida
One notable example of this trend is the Indian Creek Village in Florida, dubbed the “Millionaire’s Refuge.” This exclusive enclave boasts properties owned by notable figures such as Ivanka Trump and Jeff Bezos. The village offers bespoke bunkers designed to provide ultimate protection and comfort, reflecting the heightened sense of urgency among the elite to safeguard themselves against potential threats.
Historical Context: Bunker Building During the Cold War
The concept of building bunkers is not new. During the Cold War, governments around the world constructed numerous shelters as a civil defense measure against potential nuclear attacks. Subway stations, such as the ones in Kyiv and Saint Petersburg, which reach depths of 105 meters and 60 meters respectively, were considered suitable for this purpose. These shelters were designed to provide refuge and reduce exposure to nuclear fallout until it was safe to emerge.
Global Trends in Modern-Day Bunker Construction
Today, several global companies, primarily American, are engaged in building custom private bunkers. These shelters are equipped to support life for weeks or even months, providing electricity, food, and water. The U.S. civil defense guidelines specify how to construct these shelters, but private individuals often enhance these specifications to suit their preferences.
Governments in both the Western and Eastern hemispheres are revisiting and refurbishing their Cold War-era bunkers. During the Cold War, countries like Germany, Austria, Finland, Sweden, and Switzerland made extensive preparations, constructing shelters that could protect a significant portion of their populations. For instance, Switzerland built enough shelters to accommodate 114% of its population. Albania, under communist rule, constructed over 750,000 bunkers between 1964 and 1986.
Implications for Developing Nations
If a nuclear war were to occur, poorer nations could suffer the most, serving as the battlegrounds and bearers of the war’s aftermath. This scenario would likely lead to a drastic reduction in global population. Hence, a global solution is urgently needed to address these potential threats and safeguard all of humanity.
The History of Doomsday Shelter Construction: Western Countries’ Preparations for the End of the World
During the Cold War, the United States adopted a comprehensive program to build doomsday shelters in response to nuclear threats. According to the Department of Defense, water storage barrels with a capacity of 66 liters were distributed as part of the basic provisions for these shelters [source].
Among the notable projects was the Greek Island Project and the Cheyenne Mountain Complex, along with the Emergency Government Headquarters in Canada. These shelters featured strong underground bunkers marked with yellow and black tripartite signs, designed by Robert W. Blackel, the Director of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in 1961 [source].
Around the same time, specifically in September 1961, the Community Shelter Program was launched under the supervision of Stewart L. Udall, aiming to provide protection for local communities. However, by the 1970s, the United States ceased federal funding for these shelters, and in 2017, New York began removing the directional signs for the shelters due to their lack of effectiveness [source].
Europe:
In the former Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc countries, mass transit systems and subways were designed to double as shelters in emergency situations. For instance, the Saint Petersburg Metro in Russia boasts the world’s deepest subway line with an average depth of 60 meters, while the Arsenalna station in Kiev is the deepest ever, reaching a depth of 105.5 meters [source].
In Western Europe, countries like Germany, Austria, Sweden, and Switzerland developed extensive networks of doomsday shelters. Switzerland, in particular, mandated the construction of shelters in all new residential buildings since the 1960s, and by 2006, it had shelters to accommodate over 114% of its population [source].
United Kingdom:
The United Kingdom established an underground network of doomsday shelters spanning the country, which included strategic objectives such as protecting former Yugoslav President and government members during the Cold War. One of these shelters, the D-0 Armijska Ratna Komanda Command Centre, known as “The Ship,” was designed to withstand direct nuclear exchange [source]
These extensive preparations demonstrate the intensive efforts made by governments around the world to protect their populations amidst nuclear threats, shedding light on the evolving roles these shelters played during that period of history.
How Doomsday Shelters Are Built:
Constructing doomsday shelters, or fallout shelters, requires precise measures and specific materials to ensure effective protection against radiation and other threats. Here’s how they’re built:
Radiation Shielding:
Basic fallout shelters require shielding to reduce exposure to gamma rays by a factor of 1000. Materials like lead, concrete, or packed earth can be used to achieve this level of protection.
Shelter Design:
Fallout shelters are often built in the form of trenches with a roof buried about a meter underground for enhanced protection. Shelter entrances are designed with perpendicular angles to prevent gamma rays from entering, which travel in straight lines. The roof is covered with a layer of plastic to make it waterproof.
Blast-Resistant Doors:
Shelters are equipped with special doors designed to absorb shocks from explosions and return to their original shape after exposure to pressure.
Climate Control:
Since the earth acts as thermal insulation, shelters can become hot over time. Therefore, a wide frame with movable panels is used to cool the shelter by moving cold air inside.
Air Filters:
While falling dust isn’t directly hazardous to the respiratory system, some shelters are equipped with NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) filters to provide additional protection.
Shelter Locations:
Effective public shelters can be on middle floors of tall buildings or below ground level in fortified structures.
Shelter Supplies:
Shelters must contain sufficient supplies including water, food, building and maintenance materials, medications, and communication equipment such as battery-operated radios with protection against electromagnetic pulses.
All these aspects ensure that shelters provide optimal protection in extreme emergency situations, constituting a vital part of disaster preparedness in many countries around the world.
Conclusion
The movement toward building private doomsday bunkers among the world’s elite highlights growing anxieties about global stability. Whether these concerns are based on concrete evidence or are merely a reflection of paranoia, the trend underscores the need for robust international measures to prevent global catastrophes and ensure the safety of all people, regardless of their socioeconomic status.
References
- World Health Organization: Pandemic and epidemic-prone diseases
- Business Insider: Bill Gates has luxury bunkers in every home
- The Guardian: Inside the world’s largest doomsday bunker
- BBC News: Switzerland’s extensive bunker network
- History Channel: Cold War bunker construction
- Forbes: Mark Zuckerberg’s Hawaiian Bunker
- Bloomberg: Frank VanderSloot’s Real Estate Investment
- The New Yorker: New Zealand: The Billionaires’ Safe Haven
- Finder: Consumer Spending on Survival Gear
- Business Insider: Jeff Bezos’ Residency in New Zealand