The Secret Island: 10+ Billionaires And Famous People Who Own Homes On Nantucket (2025 Update)
Nantucket, Massachusetts, remains one of the most exclusive and discreet havens for the ultra-wealthy in the United States. As of the current date, December 12, 2025, the island continues its decades-long tradition of attracting a powerful blend of Wall Street titans, tech billionaires, and A-list celebrities who seek a private, low-key summer retreat away from the Hamptons' flashier scene.
The island’s unique charm—strict architectural codes, cobblestone streets, and a remote location 30 miles off Cape Cod—is a magnet for those who value privacy over publicity. While the island is often quiet in the off-season, the summer months see its population swell with some of the world's most recognizable and influential figures, many of whom own sprawling, multi-million dollar compounds in the island's most exclusive neighborhoods.
The Billionaire's Retreat: Prominent Tech and Business Leaders
Nantucket’s true power lies not in its Hollywood quotient, but in the sheer density of global finance and tech figures who call it their summer home. This is where the world’s most powerful CEOs and investors trade their boardrooms for beach walks.
Eric and Wendy Schmidt: Nantucket's Philanthropic Power Couple
Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google, and his wife, Wendy Schmidt, are arguably the most influential and philanthropically active high-profile residents on the island. The couple has a deep, long-standing connection to Nantucket, having first arrived over two decades ago.
- Eric Schmidt: Former CEO of Google and former Executive Chairman of Alphabet Inc. His vast wealth and influence place him at the center of the island’s elite circle.
- Wendy Schmidt: A major force in environmental and philanthropic circles. She is the President of The Schmidt Family Foundation and founded ReMain Nantucket in 2007, an organization dedicated to preserving the island's downtown core and supporting its long-term vitality.
- Connection: Their involvement goes far beyond a summer home; their non-profit work through ReMain Nantucket, The Schmidt Family Foundation, and Schmidt Ocean Institute has a tangible, lasting impact on the local community, cementing their status as true island figures.
Wall Street and Finance Titans
The island's history is inextricably linked to finance, making it a natural summer base for some of the world's wealthiest investors and private equity leaders.
- David Rubenstein: The billionaire co-founder and co-chairman of The Carlyle Group, one of the world's largest and most successful private equity firms, is a confirmed summer homeowner.
- Charles Schwab: The founder and namesake of the Charles Schwab Corporation, a financial services giant, is another long-time summer resident, adding to the island's reputation as a finance haven.
- Charles Johnson: The billionaire former CEO of Franklin Resources (Franklin Templeton Investments) is also known to own a significant summer property on the island.
- Bill Gates: The Microsoft co-founder and one of the world's richest individuals, is reported to own property on Nantucket, further highlighting the island's appeal to the tech elite.
Sports and Fashion Moguls: Nantucket's High-Profile Homeowners
While CEOs dominate the year-round conversation, the island also attracts major figures from the worlds of sports and fashion, often owning massive compounds that are among the most valuable properties in Massachusetts.
Bill Belichick: The Football Legend's Compound
Despite his recent departure from the New England Patriots, legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick maintains a very deep connection to Nantucket. He is a long-time fixture and a confirmed multi-property owner.
- Long-Term Connection: Belichick is known to own a compound of several properties on the eastern end of the island, a testament to his long-term commitment to Nantucket as a retreat.
- 2024 Real Estate Update: In a piece of fresh, recent news, Belichick sold one of his beachfront cottages on the island for approximately $3.9 million in 2024, but his main compound remains a key part of his real estate portfolio.
- Privacy: Like many Nantucket homeowners, Belichick values the island's privacy, often being spotted around town in a low-key manner.
Dave Portnoy: The Record-Breaking Purchase
In a major 2024 real estate transaction that made headlines, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy made a significant financial commitment to the island, demonstrating the current trend of high-net-worth individuals snapping up prime Nantucket real estate.
- The Purchase: Portnoy purchased what was reported to be the most expensive house ever sold on Nantucket, cementing his status as one of the island's newest and most prominent high-profile homeowners.
- Profile: His highly public persona contrasts with the island's traditionally discreet elite, making him a notable new addition to the Nantucket scene.
Tommy Hilfiger: The Fashion Mogul's Legacy
Fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger and his former wife, Susie, have a long and prominent history on Nantucket, owning a magnificent estate that defined a certain era of island luxury.
- The Estate: The Hilfigers owned a stunning Great Gatsby-era mansion that was listed for sale for a staggering $27 million, showcasing the extreme value of Nantucket's luxury properties.
- Style: Their properties reflected a classic New England style, often with chicly designed interiors, contributing to the island's reputation for understated elegance.
Max Weinberg: The E Street Band Connection
The island also draws talent from the music world. Max Weinberg, the long-time drummer for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, is another notable figure confirmed to own property on the island.
Nantucket's Exclusive Neighborhoods and Celebrity Visitors
While the individuals listed above are confirmed homeowners, Nantucket also sees a constant stream of A-list visitors, political figures, and Hollywood actors who rent or are guests at the island's most exclusive addresses.
Where the Elite Reside
The most exclusive areas on Nantucket are often away from the bustling downtown, offering expansive properties and unparalleled privacy. These neighborhoods are where the true wealth resides:
- Polpis: Known for its great harbor views, Polpis offers seclusion and luxurious homes, often favored by the billionaire class.
- Baxter Road: A highly exclusive area, particularly famous for its multi-million dollar homes and dramatic, coastal views.
- Brant Point: Iconic for its lighthouse, this neighborhood offers quick access to town while still providing high-end properties and is a preferred location for many prominent families.
- Pocomo: Primarily residential, featuring large, luxurious homes on expansive properties, making it ideal for a peaceful retreat.
Notable Visitors and Seasonal Guests
The island's discretion is what attracts many high-profile visitors who prefer to rent a private estate rather than own one, leading to frequent sightings of political and entertainment figures:
- The Biden Family: Former Vice President and President Joe Biden and his family are known to be frequent visitors to Nantucket, often renting a large home for their traditional Thanksgiving holiday.
- Hollywood Stars: Actors and entertainers such as Ben Stiller, Amy Poehler, Drew Barrymore, James Franco, and Jenna Dewan have all been spotted enjoying the island's low-key atmosphere.
- The Carter-Knowles Family: Global superstars Beyoncé and Jay-Z have also been hosted at one of the island's most expensive estates, which was listed for sale for a staggering amount, underscoring the island's capacity to host the world's biggest names.
- Reality TV Royalty: Even reality stars, including Kourtney Kardashian, have been spotted on the island, indicating its cross-appeal to different facets of the celebrity world.
In conclusion, Nantucket's celebrity landscape is less about fleeting fame and more about generational wealth and power. The island is a discreet playground for the world’s most successful business minds—the Eric Schmidts, David Rubensteins, and Charles Schwabs—who prefer the quiet elegance of the whaling town to the glitz of other summer destinations. While the occasional celebrity sighting, like a visit from the Bidens or a record-breaking purchase by a figure like Dave Portnoy, makes the news, the true fabric of the island's elite remains woven with the threads of finance, tech, and old New England money.
Detail Author:
- Name : Roslyn Lang
- Username : rkeebler
- Email : claudia.kerluke@wolf.com
- Birthdate : 1981-02-20
- Address : 83299 Eulah Spring Suite 143 Emmerichburgh, MN 16247-4661
- Phone : 1-404-942-0137
- Company : Effertz and Sons
- Job : Fashion Model
- Bio : Maiores doloribus sunt quasi ut ad. Eaque nam ab sed molestias eum harum. Magni vel aut et.
Socials
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/tyshawn7114
- username : tyshawn7114
- bio : Pariatur ipsum quas maxime nihil dicta eos. Sunt ducimus qui optio.
- followers : 638
- following : 332
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/ryant
- username : ryant
- bio : Incidunt facilis ratione odit veritatis. Ea ut natus veritatis quia.
- followers : 6227
- following : 1806
