- Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos was spotted on the billionaire David Geffen’s superyacht, Rising Sun, this week.
- Geffen reportedly paid $590 million for the yacht, which previously belonged to Oracle founder Larry Ellison.
- Rising Sun is something of a playground for the rich and famous, as Geffen has been known to host celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Leonardo DiCaprio on board.
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
Spotted: Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos in the Balearics, Spain, this week, aboard the entertainment mogul David Geffen’s superyacht, Rising Sun.
In a photo posted to Geffen’s Instagram, Bezos was seen with his girlfriend, Lauren Sanchez; the supermodel Karlie Kloss; and former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein. Bezos already made waves this month when reports surfaced that he owned a $400 million superyacht anchored near Datca, Turkey. However, Amazon denied these reports in a statement to Business Insider.
But Bezos and crew aren’t the first to cruise the high seas with Geffen, who appears to love hosting celebrities, musicians, and actors. Leonardo DiCaprio, Bradley Cooper, Oprah Winfrey, and Barack and Michelle Obama have also enjoyed Geffen’s 400-foot-plus superyacht in the past.
Here's a look at Rising Sun - and the big names that have been on board.
The entertainment mogul David Geffen, founder of DreamWorks, SKG, Asylum Records, Geffen Records, and DGS Records, owns Rising Sun. According to Forbes, he's worth $8.2 billion.
Source: Forbes
The 454-foot megayacht was originally built for Oracle founder Larry Ellison. Geffen bought a half-share in 2007 and the other half in 2010, totaling $590 million.
Source: Forbes
The exact value of the superyacht is unclear. However, one recent estimate put its value at $300 million.
Source: Yacht Harbour
Rising Sun was constructed by the German shipbuilder Lurssen. Once Geffen became owner, he had the yacht refitted over a six-month period.
Source: Boat International
The yacht can accommodate 18 guests and a staff of 55 people. It even has a basketball court.
Source: Forbes
The top deck is dedicated entirely to the owner and includes a double-height cinema.
Source: Boat International
Geffen has cruised everywhere from St. Bart's and the Tobago Cays in the Caribbean to Portofino, Italy, and Ibiza, Spain, according to his Instagram — but not without a few friends.
Rising Sun is a great place for entertaining. Scroll through Geffen's Instagram feed, and you'll find that he's hosted many a celebrity guest on board.
Most recently, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, the investment banker Lloyd Blankfein, and the model Karlie Kloss were spotted aboard in the Balearics in Spain.
Source: Business Insider
And Orlando Bloom was on board just last month.
Source: Business Insider
Oprah Winfrey, Bradley Cooper, and Tom Hanks have also joined Geffen to cruise the high seas.
Geffen has also hosted Chris Rock ...
... and Bruce Springsteen.
That's not to mention Mariah Carey ...
... and Leonardo DiCaprio.
But Geffen doesn't just invite actors, musicians, and models. In 2017, Barack and Michelle Obama were spotted on board while the yacht was in French Polynesia.
Barack Obama is an Instagram Husband pic.twitter.com/OouLr7bjT2
— Madeline Hill (@mad_hill) April 16, 2017
Source: Business Insider
Geffen knows how to party with the rich and famous — and in style.
While the combined $590 million that Geffen spent to buy Rising Sun is an astronomical figure, it pales in comparison to the world's most expensive yacht. That title goes to the Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich's yacht Eclipse, which is estimated to be worth anywhere from $600 million to $1.5 billion.
Source: Business Insider
