Home

 › 

Articles

 › 

Discover the Most Expensive Thing in the World

The Most Expensive Thing in the World

Discover the Most Expensive Thing in the World

If you had all the money in the world, what would you do with it? For some, it’s a matter of settling debts, buying a home, and taking care of their loved ones. These are all noble and worthy uses of money, that’s for certain. Occasionally, it’s worth taking the time to have a child-like indulgence. This is especially true when considering the subject of today’s article.

Now, the most expensive thing in the world could be luxurious. It could be some massive opulent affair, but the answer for the record spent might surprise you. So, instead of taking a simple look at just a single object, let’s take a look at three of the most expensive things on the entire planet.

Two of these things have rather amazing uses, and the other is just something flashy and decadent. Without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the most expensive things in the world.

Tabulating the Cost

When considering the things covered in this article, there were some criteria to decide upon. It couldn’t be something banal like a highway system, as that is multiple objects.

It also couldn’t be something from history, as peerless wealth — like that of Mansa Musa (Musa I of Mali), for example — is hard to grasp in modern terms. Instead, this has to be something tangible with real-world costs for the modern era.

As such, this isn’t going to cover the massive palaces and castles from yesteryear, but rather things that are still very much present in our modern world.

The Most Expensive Things in the World

Two of these things are rather understandable, as the cost of their endeavor isn’t a small expense by any means. The third is decadence personified. Also, a look will be cast toward some things that didn’t make the cut.

3. The Hubble Space Telescope

Hubble telescope in space
The Hubble Space Telescope captures extremely high-resolution images with lower background light than ground-based telescopes.

Mankind has cast its gaze toward the stars since the dawn of history. So, it comes as no surprise that one of the most expensive things on this list is the Hubble Space Telescope. First launched in 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope cost an estimated $2.1 billion dollars when adjusted for inflation.

Hubble has served as a great resource for casting a curious eye to the stars. It has since been superseded by the James Webb Space Telescope, which was also an expensive endeavor.

The Hubble Space Telescope has fueled many discoveries and provided a wealth of information and stunning images in the 33 years since its launch. It is one of mankind’s greatest achievements, and the folks at NASA honestly deserved every penny for the endeavor itself.

2. History Supreme

History Supreme is arguably one of the most obscenely decadent things to be devised by mankind. Designed by Stuart Hughes, this 100-foot yacht is the most expensive boat of its kind. With an estimated cost of $4.8 billion dollars, it is hard to even fathom having a vehicle with that sort of worth. When considering the materials inside of it, you can only imagine where it was spent.

History Supreme is gilded in every sense of the word. Its structural fittings are festooned with gold and platinum, and even the exterior of the boat itself is coated in gold.

Also present in the interior is a wall feature created from meteoric stone, as well as a statue carved from the bone of a Tyrannosaurus Rex. It is the world’s most expensive yacht, a claim once held by the Eclipse.

History Supreme is rumored to have been purchased by Robert Kuok, the richest man in Malaysia. With an estimated worth of $12.5 billion, you can’t help but imagine that he winced when seeing the price tag.

1. The International Space Station

the most expensive thing in the world
The ISS serves as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory.

Mankind’s yen towards the stars has existed since the first people were able to cast their gaze upwards. It only makes sense that humanity’s endeavors toward the stars represent the greatest cost paid. The International Space Station is the most expensive single object on the face of the planet.

The actual cost of production on the ISS is a rumored $150 billion dollars, which accounts not just for design but also for its development. Dozens of countries have participated in the ISS since its launch in 2000.

It took a massive 12 years of development time to go from a concept to an actual physical creation meant for the stars. Sadly, its days are numbered as it is due to be decommissioned in the next few years.

Other Expensive Things

These things are all obscenely expensive, but there were many others that were considered. The next few objects covered aren’t the most expensive things in the strictest sense, but they are the most expensive things in their particular class.

The Most Expensive Home — The Antilia Mansion

One would think some opulent Hollywood mansion or the estates of someone like Jeff Bezos or Bill Gates would be the most expensive home. The honor itself goes to Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, whose home, the Antilia Mansion, is the most expensive privately owned residence in the modern era.

With an estimated cost of $2 billion dollars, the Antilia Mansion is something to behold. Situated in Mumbai, the Antilia has a massive 400,000 square feet on the interior.

There are 27 floors in total, with each floor measuring roughly the same as an average two-story building. Inside the home are a temple, a movie theater, guest suites, and an ice-cream parlor. It is truly an exercise in excess.

The Most Expensive Car — 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO

the most expensive thing in the world
In June 2018, a 1963 250 GTO (chassis 4153GT) was sold in a private sale for $70 million.

Ferrari has long been associated with luxury, so it is no surprise that one is the most expensive car in the world. The 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO is a car steeped in history, having won the 1964 Tour de France Automobile. It is exceedingly rare, with only 36 production models made.

To own one is to join an exclusive club of sorts, since only three dozen exist in the wild. The most recent example was sold to WeatherTech founder David MacNeil, who paid an estimated $70 million dollars at a private auction to obtain the vehicle.

In the next few years, the car is only going to appreciate in value, with some experts claiming MacNeil’s investment could very well be worth more than $100 million dollars.

The Most Expensive Shoes — Nike Air Yeezy 1 Prototype

Selling for a staggering $1.8 million dollars at a Sotheby’s auction, these shoes are the most expensive ever sold. Part of their eye-watering price tag comes from their history, as these were part of a 2008 performance by Kanye West. The controversial rapper also wore these during the 2008 Grammy Awards. The shoes themselves have become heavily desired since their debut.

Settling the Bill on the World’s Most Expensive Things

The world’s most expensive things run the gamut from decadence to mankind’s greatest endeavors. While the price tags are out of reach for many, there’s no denying that the money spent on space has been well worth the effort. While mankind cannot benefit from a gold-festooned yacht, a super mansion, or a limited-production sports car, people can certainly enjoy gazing even closer at the stars.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the ISS so expensive?

The International Space Station was a massive undertaking to design and eventually build. It is one of the most complex purpose-built vehicles ever designed, and it’s meant to support continued life in Earth’s orbit.

As such, the cost isn’t cheap, because even cutting corners in one area could compromise the safety of the crew stationed inside the space station.

Is the History Supreme actually made of gold?

No, it’s simply gold-plated on the exterior. The further inside the recesses of the boat, the more gold and platinum you see however.

What makes the 1963 Ferrari such a special car?

For car enthusiasts, that particular Ferrari is one steeped in history and legend. For its time it is an exceptionally fast vehicle, but even a modern production hypercar far outstrips its capabilities.

Buying something like a Koenigsegg has a certain level of prestige, but not nearly to the same extent as buying a part of modern history like the 1963 Ferrari.

Why was the Hubble so expensive?

The Hubble Space Telescope was a massive achievement in engineering, design, and implementation. Everything from the mirrors to the aperture had to be purpose-built, and as history shows going into space isn’t cheap by any means.

Does Antilia Mansion house just a single family?

That palatial estate is home to Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani and his family, but can also accommodate up to 50 guests at the same time. Whether he uses this for entertaining around the clock or he’s just a homebody is anyone’s guess.

To top