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Hundreds of Millions in Bling: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman's Luxurious Purchases

Published March 7th, 2018 - 03:10 GMT

After the New York Times reported that the Saudi crown prince is the owner of a $300 million French chateau, many rushed to highlight his alleged hypocrisy.

Chateau Louis XIV, described by Fortune as “the world’s most expensive home,” was listed by the Times as “one of several extravagant acquisitions” by the prince.

They include a $620.57 million yacht and a $450 million Leonardo da Vinci painting.

The publication implied this was hypocritical coming from a man who has undertaken a recent anti-corruption drive against Saudi Arabia’s wealthy elite.

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The Chateau Louis XIV was bought for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is leading a crackdown on corruption by the Saudi elite and preaching fiscal austerity at home. (Fayez Nureldine/AFP)

The Chateau Louis XIV was bought for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is leading a crackdown on corruption by the Saudi elite and preaching fiscal austerity at home. (Fayez Nureldine/AFP)

The Chateau Louis XIV sold for over $300 million two years ago, Fortune magazine called the 57-acre landscape “the world’s most expensive home." (Wikicommons)

The Chateau Louis XIV sold for over $300 million two years ago, Fortune magazine called the 57-acre landscape “the world’s most expensive home." (Wikicommons)

The exterior of the Chateau Louis XIV (Wikicommons)

The exterior of the Chateau Louis XIV (Wikicommons)

Bader Al Asaker, who heads the crown prince’s personal foundation, at left with white head covering, is one of three shareholders listed for Eight Investment, which owns the chateau. (AFP)

Bader Al Asaker, who heads the crown prince’s personal foundation, at left with white head covering, is one of three shareholders listed for Eight Investment, which owns the chateau. (AFP)

Christie's employees take bids for Leonardo da Vinci’s 'Salvator Mundi' at Christie's New York November 15, 2017. A 500-year-old work of art depicting Jesus Christ sold in New York on Wednesday for $450.3 million setting a new art auction record. (AFP/Timothy A. Clary)

Christie's employees take bids for Leonardo da Vinci’s 'Salvator Mundi' at Christie's New York November 15, 2017. A 500-year-old work of art depicting Jesus Christ sold in New York on Wednesday for $450.3 million setting a new art auction record. (AFP/Timothy A. Clary)

Christie's employees pose in front of a painting entitled Salvator Mundi by Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci at a photocall at Christie's auction house in central London on October 22, 2017 ahead of its sale at Christie's New York on November 15, 2017. (AFP/Tolga Akmen)

Christie's employees pose in front of a painting entitled Salvator Mundi by Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci at a photocall at Christie's auction house in central London on October 22, 2017 ahead of its sale at Christie's New York on November 15, 2017. (AFP/Tolga Akmen)

Serene cost an estimated $620.57 million when sold by vodka tycoon to the Saudi Prince. (Wikimedia Commons)

Serene cost an estimated $620.57 million when sold by vodka tycoon to the Saudi Prince. (Wikimedia Commons)

The Serene yacht docked in Auckland in New Zealand in January 2015, when it was then owned by Russian tycoon Yuri Schefler (Phil Walter/AFP)

The Serene yacht docked in Auckland in New Zealand in January 2015, when it was then owned by Russian tycoon Yuri Schefler (Phil Walter/AFP)

The Chateau Louis XIV was bought for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is leading a crackdown on corruption by the Saudi elite and preaching fiscal austerity at home. (Fayez Nureldine/AFP)
The Chateau Louis XIV sold for over $300 million two years ago, Fortune magazine called the 57-acre landscape “the world’s most expensive home." (Wikicommons)
The exterior of the Chateau Louis XIV (Wikicommons)
Bader Al Asaker, who heads the crown prince’s personal foundation, at left with white head covering, is one of three shareholders listed for Eight Investment, which owns the chateau. (AFP)
Christie's employees take bids for Leonardo da Vinci’s 'Salvator Mundi' at Christie's New York November 15, 2017. A 500-year-old work of art depicting Jesus Christ sold in New York on Wednesday for $450.3 million setting a new art auction record. (AFP/Timothy A. Clary)
Christie's employees pose in front of a painting entitled Salvator Mundi by Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci at a photocall at Christie's auction house in central London on October 22, 2017 ahead of its sale at Christie's New York on November 15, 2017. (AFP/Tolga Akmen)
Serene cost an estimated $620.57 million when sold by vodka tycoon to the Saudi Prince. (Wikimedia Commons)
The Serene yacht docked in Auckland in New Zealand in January 2015, when it was then owned by Russian tycoon Yuri Schefler (Phil Walter/AFP)
The Chateau Louis XIV was bought for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is leading a crackdown on corruption by the Saudi elite and preaching fiscal austerity at home. (Fayez Nureldine/AFP)
The Chateau Louis XIV was bought for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is leading a crackdown on corruption by the Saudi elite and preaching fiscal austerity at home. (Fayez Nureldine/AFP)
The Chateau Louis XIV sold for over $300 million two years ago, Fortune magazine called the 57-acre landscape “the world’s most expensive home." (Wikicommons)
The Chateau Louis XIV sold for over $300 million two years ago, Fortune magazine called the 57-acre landscape “the world’s most expensive home." (Wikicommons)
The exterior of the Chateau Louis XIV (Wikicommons)
The exterior of the Chateau Louis XIV (Wikicommons)
Bader Al Asaker, who heads the crown prince’s personal foundation, at left with white head covering, is one of three shareholders listed for Eight Investment, which owns the chateau. (AFP)
Bader Al Asaker, who heads the crown prince’s personal foundation, at left with white head covering, is one of three shareholders listed for Eight Investment, which owns the chateau. (AFP)
Christie's employees take bids for Leonardo da Vinci’s 'Salvator Mundi' at Christie's New York November 15, 2017. A 500-year-old work of art depicting Jesus Christ sold in New York on Wednesday for $450.3 million setting a new art auction record. (AFP/Timothy A. Clary)
Christie's employees take bids for Leonardo da Vinci’s 'Salvator Mundi' at Christie's New York November 15, 2017. A 500-year-old work of art depicting Jesus Christ sold in New York on Wednesday for $450.3 million setting a new art auction record. (AFP/Timothy A. Clary)
Christie's employees pose in front of a painting entitled Salvator Mundi by Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci at a photocall at Christie's auction house in central London on October 22, 2017 ahead of its sale at Christie's New York on November 15, 2017. (AFP/Tolga Akmen)
Christie's employees pose in front of a painting entitled Salvator Mundi by Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci at a photocall at Christie's auction house in central London on October 22, 2017 ahead of its sale at Christie's New York on November 15, 2017. (AFP/Tolga Akmen)
Serene cost an estimated $620.57 million when sold by vodka tycoon to the Saudi Prince. (Wikimedia Commons)
Serene cost an estimated $620.57 million when sold by vodka tycoon to the Saudi Prince. (Wikimedia Commons)
The Serene yacht docked in Auckland in New Zealand in January 2015, when it was then owned by Russian tycoon Yuri Schefler (Phil Walter/AFP)
The Serene yacht docked in Auckland in New Zealand in January 2015, when it was then owned by Russian tycoon Yuri Schefler (Phil Walter/AFP)
Tags:the New York TimesVINCIthe Times

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