Eccentric billionaires, Carlos Slim, who has the most eccentric-playboy-millionaire name of all the eccentric millionaires, has been making headlines for his recently vocalized opinions about the work week.
“People are overworked! Everyone should have three-day work weeks!” is exactly the kind of rambling you’d expect from someone who has more money than you will make in the rest of your life. After all, it’s easy for him to say, right?
Well, sure. But if you give it a bit more thought, Slim’s suggestion isn’t as crazy as it sounds. And compared to some of the shenanigans that other millionaires and billionaires get into, it’s actually quite tame.
But you’re not here for tame. You’re here for wildly crazy and eccentric. So here you go — 5 of the most eccentric millionaires and billionaires out there....
ROMAN ABRAMOVICH
As if owning a mega-yacht weren't enough, billionaire Roman Abramovich (his net worth?), who also owns a popular sports team, took his dislike of paparazzi to a whole new level when he installed this bizarre contraption on his yacht Eclipse.
PAUL ALLEN
Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen (his net worth?) spent years collecting science-fiction memorabilia, including Captain Kirk's chair and the robot from "Lost in Space". What's even more original is what he built to house his sci-fi treasures.
NICOLAS BERGGRUEN
Real-estate investor Nicolas Berggruen (his net worth?) sold his homes and most of his possessions (except for a few notable goods) more than a decade ago. He's still a sought-after money manager and investor, but he has committed to giving most of it away. He's also committed to an unusually low-key living situation.
RICHARD BRANSON
With a high-profile life that includes a yacht and an island, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson (his net worth?) might just be living well. But his space ventures seem to tilt into eccentric territory. In 2011, he opened a spaceport in a US state and celebrated with his family in an unexpected way. He now plans to take them on an unprecedented outing.
JAMES CAMERON
The director of hit films that include "Avatar" and "Titanic," James Cameron (what's his net worth?) spends his spare time taking submarines solo into the deepest parts of the ocean. He's also a supporter of the Mars Society, which lobbies for the colonization of the Red Planet. But that's not even the craziest of it.
ALKI DAVID
Heir to a shipping fortune, occasional actor and founder of numerous websites, including FilmOn, Alki David (his net worth?) offered $1 million to anyone who would streak in front of President Barack Obama.
DUCHESS OF ALBA
The Duchess of Alba (how old is she?) holds more royal titles than anyone else in the world and is said to have a fondness for bright colors, big sunglasses, lace and even bikinis. But she proved her fondness for something else entirely when she gave away most of her fortune (what's her net worth?) for the sake of one person.
CHUCK FEENEY
Worth billions after co-founding and selling Duty Free Shoppers Group, Chuck Feeney gave most of his wealth to charity (what's his net worth today?). More public with his giving in recent years (including The Giving Pledge, which Feeney signed in recent years), Feeney's still known as a recluse who prefers a low-profile lifestyle.
FOSTER FRIESS
Foster Friess is best known as the political activist who heavily backed Republican Rick Santorum -- and who made headlines suggesting "gals" should use aspirin as a contraceptive. But his sporting activities are what really put him on our map as a potential eccentric.
LARRY HILLBLOM
The "H" in shipping company DHL's name, billionaire Larry Hillblom was known for wearing shorts and ratty T-shirts while running the company. The biography "King Larry" paints a picture of his sordid lifestyle after he left DHL.
ROBERT CLARK GRAHAM
Eugenicist and businessman Robert Klark Graham, who made his billions developing unique groundbreaking eyewear technology, is remembered for his "contributions" to science, but not necessarily in a positive light.
HOWARD HUGHES
Aviator, plane designer and even film producer Howard Hughes was known for his eccentric obsessions -- such as building a wooden plane with a 320-foot, 11-inch wing span, flying it just once, then stopping work on the whole project -- from a young age.
BIDZINA IVANISHVILI
Former prime minister of Georgia Bidzina Ivanishvili (his net worth?) is living the high life in his multimillion-dollar mansion, designed by this famous Russian architect. He also has a personal zoo composed of a strange type of pet.
INGVAR KAMPRAD
A number of today's billionaires are known for being thrifty, but IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad (his net worth?) makes even Warren Buffett's thrifty lifestyle seem lavish.
PETER LEWIS
Insurance man Peter Lewis lived a life few would call boring. Before his death in 2013, Lewis (his net worth?) was one of the nation's leading advocates of an issue not often associated with billionaires.
TOM MONAGHAN
Known for founding this famous pizza chain, Tom Monaghan (his net worth?) once owned the Detroit Tigers and spent millions on antique cars and souvenirs in honor of his favorite architect. Then, in a surprising turn of events, he gave it all away.
HENRY T. NICHOLAS
The former chief executive of a wireless communications firm, Henry T. Nicholas (his net worth?) was accused of building a mystery lair under his California mansion.
CLIVE PALMER
Clive Palmer, an Australian mining magnate (his net worth?), won international headlines when he announced plans to build a colossal (and unusual) theme park.
BOB PARSONS
Go Daddy founder Bob Parsons (his net worth?) made headlines when he posted a video of a hunting trip so graphic and controversial that even PETA got involved.
GRAHAM PENDRILL
On a trip to Kenya, British businessman Graham Pendrill reportedly fell in love with the country's culture and returned home just long enough to sell his 12-bedroom mansion and pack his bags.
PRINCE JEFRI OF BRUNEI
The brother of a sultan, the "playboy prince" Prince Jefri of Brunei (his family's worth?) named his mega-yacht after a body part. Reports from a recent court case suggest he had blown nearly $15 billion and was almost broke.
GINA RINEHART
The Australian mining heiress (her net worth?) found herself in the news after a protracted legal battle with her children. She's also known for her controversial statements about the workforce.
PETER THIEL
Former PayPal CEO Peter Thiel (his net worth?) has provided seed money to the Seasteading Institute, an organization with an unusual cause. He also supports efforts to build an artificial intelligence superior to that of humans. He also has given millions to a foundation attempting to cure an ailment known to most.
TED TURNER
Though Ted Turner himself hasn't said much about it, the CNN founder (his net worth?) is frequently cited as a friend of marijuana and a major financier of the Kentucky Hemp Museum. His latest venture is the sale of an island filled with a species he moved there himself.
JOCELYN WILDENSTEIN
The former wife (she won a hefty divorce settlement) of a famed art dealer, Jocelyn Wildenstein has spent millions on plastic surgery (she apparently wants to look like a certain household pet).
MARK ZUCKERBERG
We're used to thinking of tech geniuses as different from the rest of us, and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg (his net worth?) fits that mold. He tried to secure a little more privacy for himself last year in a purchase most of us would find extravagant.
