Saudi Crown Prince's lavish assets contrasted with Houthi attacks forcing him into fortified hideouts
Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly sheltering in heavily guarded palaces as Houthi rockets strike Riyadh, highlighting the gap between his opulent lifestyle and the security threats facing Saudi Arabia.
According to recent reporting, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has retreated to heavily fortified palaces equipped with underground bunkers as Houthi rebels intensify missile attacks on Riyadh, targeting airports, oil infrastructure and Red Sea shipping lanes. The prince’s personal wealth is on display through assets like the £400 million superyacht Serene, a French chateau near Versailles described as the world’s costliest residence, and a Leonardo da Vinci painting that sold for a record £340 million.
Additional holdings include a sprawling palace complex on the Red Sea coast within the $2 trillion Neom project and a former Russian vodka tycoon’s yacht fitted with helipads, a cinema and an underwater viewing chamber. His social circle extends to celebrities such as Johnny Depp, Lindsay Lohan, and former U.S. President Donald Trump, as well as tech moguls like Mark Zuckerberg. While the prince’s extravagance draws global attention, the renewed Houthi offensive serves as a stark reminder of the security challenges confronting Saudi Arabia’s leadership.
Why it matters
The story shows how regional conflict can impact even the most powerful and wealthy leaders, affecting global oil markets and geopolitical stability.
In this story
