Amid escalating global tensions, including recent US-Iran confrontations, billionaires prepare for worst-case scenarios with state-of-the-art bunkers in remote locations like New Zealand, the Scottish Highlands, and Pacific islands. These ultra-wealthy individuals stockpile apocalypse-ready retreats to weather potential civilization-threatening events.
New Zealand: The Ultimate Apocalypse Haven
New Zealand stands out as a prime destination for high-end survival shelters. LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman described in 2017 how property purchases there function as “apocalypse insurance” for the elite. “Saying you’re ‘buying a house in New Zealand’ is kind of a wink, wink, say no more,” Hoffman stated.
Underground shelter provider Vivos completed a 300-person bunker on New Zealand’s South Island in 2020. Similarly, Rising S Bunkers shipped approximately 10 private bunkers to the country in recent years. Tech entrepreneurs Sam Morgan, Peter Thiel, and Bill Foley have poured millions into vast estates across the island’s lush landscapes.
Mark Zuckerberg’s Expansive Hawaii Retreat
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg addresses rumors surrounding his Hawaii ranch, insisting its underground facility is simply a “basement.” The sprawling property includes 11 treehouses linked by rope bridges, multiple guest houses, and a fortified bunker featuring a concrete-filled metal door.
The main setup consists of two mansions connected to a 5,000-square-foot bunker via an underground tunnel. This shelter accommodates mechanical systems, living quarters, and an escape hatch, with a door designed like those in traditional bomb shelters.
Zuckerberg’s estate draws attention for its massive scale and robust security. “I think the whole thing got blown out of proportion, as if the whole ranch was some kind of, like, doomsday bunker,” Zuckerberg remarked in a previous interview. “It’s just not true,” he added.
