Ever wondered what a $590 million yacht looks like inside? Welcome aboard Rising Sun, the jaw-dropping superyacht owned by billionaire media mogul David Geffen. As one of the most expensive and extravagant private vessels in the world, Rising Sun isn’t just a boat—it’s a floating mansion packed with luxury amenities, celebrity guests, and enough style to rival any five-star resort. With a net worth nearing $9 billion, Geffen’s yacht offers a rare glimpse into the ultra-exclusive world of billionaire travel and entertainment. In this post, we’ll take you inside the Rising Sun, exploring its design, features, famous visitors, and why it’s considered one of the ultimate symbols of wealth on the water.
Background on David Geffen
David Geffen is a legendary music and movie mogul who co-founded DreamWorks SKG and launched hit record labels like Asylum and Geffen Records. He leveraged those successes to amass a staggering fortune – with Forbes noting a net worth of about $7.7 billion (and Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index more recently valuing him around $9.1 billion). Born in Brooklyn in 1943, Geffen famously dropped out of college, started in Hollywood’s mailrooms, and later sold his record business to Time Warner for hundreds of millions. Today he’s known as one of Hollywood’s richest figures, funding causes from medical research to the arts, and, of course, financing an ultra-luxury yacht that epitomizes his wealth and lifestyle. This net worth explains how Geffen can afford Rising Sun, a floating palace rivaling the grandest yachts on earth.
Yacht Specs and Design
Built in 2004 by German shipbuilder Lürssen, the Rising Sun is an enormous motor yacht designed by the late Jon Bannenberg. It stretches 138 meters (453 feet) in length and was originally commissioned by Oracle CEO Larry Ellison. Geffen acquired the yacht by buying Ellison’s stake, finally owning it outright in 2010. The exterior styling is by Bannenberg & Rowell, and the interior by Seccombe Design. Rising Sun sits impressively on 5 decks: in fact, Forbes notes it’s the largest yacht owned by an American (and the 18th largest worldwide) at 453 feet. Its hull is steel with an aluminum superstructure and teak decks, powered by four MTU diesel engines for a 28-knot top speed (cruising comfortably at 26 knots).
Onboard, Rising Sun truly feels like a floating mansion. It has 82 rooms including luxurious guest suites and multiple living areas. Charter fleet descriptions highlight features like an elevator between decks, a cinema room, generous swimming pool, underwater lights and an on-deck jacuzzi. The yacht was outfitted with a beauty salon, sauna, spa, gym, gymnasium and even a basketball court that converts to a helipad. Other extravagances include a wine cellar, two helicopter pads, a vast owner’s suite, and covered terraces for outdoor entertaining. These amenities ensure guests are never bored at sea.
Lifestyle Onboard
David Geffen’s Rising Sun isn’t just a showpiece – it’s an active party yacht. Geffen often sails to glamorous destinations, making stops in the Caribbean (St. Barths, the Grenadines, the Tobago Cays) as well as Mediterranean hotspots like Portofino and Ibiza. The yacht hosts star-studded gatherings. For example, Business Insider reports that he has entertained Barack and Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Hanks and even Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos (with his entourage) aboard Rising Sun. Simpson Marine notes guests have also included Leonardo DiCaprio, Paul McCartney, Julia Roberts and Steven Spielberg. In short, the superyacht doubles as an exclusive floating nightclub and retreat for A-listers – a perfect venue for Geffen’s parties and events.
Geffen himself enjoys cruising with just a handful of close friends. The yacht can accommodate up to 18 guests and 45–55 crew members, so a large entourage is always on hand. News reports describe it as “five stories high” with multiple decks dedicated to leisure. In March 2020, for instance, Geffen posed for Instagram photos of Rising Sun anchored in the Grenadines, captioning “Sunset last night… isolated in the Grenadines avoiding the virus”. Those images went viral – proving the yacht’s allure even during a pandemic. (Notably, he later deactivated that Instagram amid the criticism.) Through such glimpses, we see his yacht life is a mix of luxury travel, ocean views, and celebrity company.
Estimated Cost and Value
Rising Sun’s cost and value have been reported with wild figures. Geffen bought the yacht from Larry Ellison in 2010 for roughly $590 million. Media outlets often cite the $590M purchase price when discussing the yacht. According to Business Insider, Geffen “bought the yacht for $590 million” from Ellison. (Some older reports note it cost about $200M to build back in 2004.) Current estimates of its value vary – a 2019 analysis put it around $300M, but Geffen’s own investment suggests a much higher figure. In any case, few private yachts exceed the half-billion mark; Rising Sun’s price tag is routinely listed among the most expensive.
Putting that $590M in perspective, it was a fraction of Geffen’s fortune but still an enormous purchase. Compared to his net worth (~$9B), the yacht’s cost is on the order of 5–6% of his assets, showing how billionaire budgets work. The running costs, crew salaries, and maintenance for such a vessel easily run into the tens of millions per year – an expense Geffen can afford. In summary, Rising Sun is widely reported as a $400–600 million megayacht in today’s market value, reflecting its custom build, refits, and legendary status.
Comparisons with Other Billionaire Yachts
To appreciate Rising Sun’s scale, it helps to compare it with other famous mega-yachts. Forbes notes that at 453 feet Rising Sun is the largest yacht owned by an American. By contrast, Jeff Bezos’s new sailing yacht Koru is 417 feet and estimated at about $500 million – making it slightly shorter but still astronomically costly. Roman Abramovich’s 534-foot Eclipse (not American-owned) is even larger – often dubbed the world’s most expensive at well over $1 billion (though exact figures are secret). Other notable vessels include tech billionaire Bill Gates’s Lana (~354 ft) or Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg’s Katina (128 ft, much smaller).
In terms of rank, Simpson Marine reports Rising Sun is around the 21st largest yacht globally. For perspective, it is slightly bigger than Bill Gates’s Lana (350 ft) and smaller than Eclipse. Forbes also highlights that Bezos’s Koru (417 ft, $500M) is currently the most valuable American-owned yacht, while Geffen’s Rising Sun, though longer, has a similar valuation. In essence, Rising Sun sits at the very top tier of mega-yachts – it may not be the single largest in the world, but among U.S. circles it’s unmatched. Its amenities (basketball/helipad court, giant cinema, etc.) and high-profile usage put it in the same league as any billionaire’s dream ship.
Public Reactions
The Rising Sun often draws attention – and not always positive. Geffen’s social-media stunt in March 2020 is a case in point: he posted a sunset photo from the yacht with an “isolated in the Grenadines” caption, which many saw as tone-deaf amid a global crisis. Critics on Twitter mocked the post, saying “It’s fabulous to be rich!” and accusing Geffen of flaunting wealth. Business Insider reported on the uproar, noting Geffen was “under fire for a ‘tone-deaf’ Instagram post about isolating on his $590 million yacht”. He soon took down the Instagram account. These reactions illustrate how public opinion can turn on displays of extravagance – even for ultra-rich figures.
On a different note, environmental activists have also chastised billionaire yachts in general (Geffen included) for their pollution. In 2023, a report even labeled Geffen “the most polluting individual American” due to his yachts’ carbon footprint. Geffen tends to stay low-key about criticism; instead he highlights his philanthropy (his foundation has given hundreds of millions to health and education). Still, the social media storm remains a famous episode showing that a post from the deck of a $590M floating palace is bound to make headlines.
Media Coverage
Entertainment and finance media have eagerly covered Geffen’s yacht lifestyle. Major outlets from Forbes to Business Insider have run profiles of Rising Sun. Forbes devoted features to the boat’s size and owner – for example, an article calls Rising Sun “the 18th largest yacht in the world” at 453 ft. Business Insider created slide-show stories with photos of Geffen aboard Rising Sun, chronicling the celebrities on board and even listing the $590M purchase price. Local press has too: when the yacht recently docked in Portland, Maine, news stations broke stories calling it a “$400 million gigayacht” and detailing its 82 rooms and amenities. Celebrity outlets like TMZ and Rolling Stone have also noted Rising Sun when it surfaces at hotspots or social events.
Overall, the media narrative portrays Rising Sun as the ultimate symbol of Geffen’s wealth and power. Headlines often emphasize the staggering numbers (“$590 million yacht”) or the famous guests onboard. Even when covering the backlash, journalists use luxurious descriptions – The Guardian dubbed it a “$590m floating palace”. In every case, the story of David Geffen’s yacht is told as both a travel feature and a status symbol.
Conclusion
David Geffen’s Rising Sun is more than a yacht – it’s a Hollywood legend afloat. Every detail of the 453-foot vessel reflects the whimsy and influence of its owner: from the custom teak decks and panoramic windows (thanks to Bannenberg’s design) to the world-class entertainment spaces that have hosted presidents, movie stars, and moguls. With an estimated price in the half-billion range, it exemplifies how one billionaire splurges on “floating paradise” living. The Rising Sun not only showcases opulence (gym, cinema, wine cellar, basketball court/helipad, and more) but also provides a lens into Geffen’s lifestyle – the sunsets he tweets about, the celebs he invites, and the headlines he makes. Despite occasional controversy, this yacht remains an enduring symbol of Geffen’s legacy: a tangible product of his multi-billion-dollar empire. In short, stepping inside Rising Sun is like stepping into Geffen’s personal kingdom, where every amenity is at hand and the party never stops – a true billionaire’s floating palace.
FAQs about David Geffen’s Yacht and Wealth
What is the name of David Geffen’s yacht?
David Geffen’s superyacht is called Rising Sun. It’s a 453-foot (138 m) luxury motor yacht built by Lürssen in 2004. Originally commissioned by Larry Ellison, Rising Sun became Geffen’s in 2010 after he bought out Ellison’s stake. The yacht’s design is by Jon Bannenberg (exterior) and Seccombe Design (interior), and it features five decks of living space.
How much is David Geffen’s yacht worth?
Geffen reportedly paid about $590 million to acquire Rising Sun from Larry Ellison in 2010. (The yacht reportedly cost around $200 million to build in 2004.) Media coverage often uses $590M as its price tag, making it one of the most expensive yachts ever. Current market estimates place its value in the hundreds of millions of dollars (typically cited around $400–600M). The exact current value can vary, but Bloomberg and Forbes consistently classify it as a half-billion-dollar vessel.
What is David Geffen’s net worth?
David Geffen’s net worth is estimated to be roughly $8–9 billion. Forbes noted he was worth about $7.7 billion (making him Hollywood’s richest person), while the Bloomberg Billionaires Index lists him around $9.1 billion as of 2023. His wealth comes from decades in the entertainment industry (record labels, DreamWorks, real estate, art, etc.). This multi-billion-dollar fortune is why he can afford a $590M yacht, extensive real estate, and a $2B art collection without blinking.
What amenities are on David Geffen’s yacht?
Rising Sun is packed with luxury amenities. It has 82 rooms, including guest suites, a master suite, and entertainment spaces. Key features include a double-height movie theater, a full gym, a wine cellar, underwater lights, and multiple pools and Jacuzzis. One deck even has a basketball court that converts into a helipad. There’s also a beauty salon, spa, sauna, elevator, and generous lounge areas. In other words, it’s equipped for every comfort – a floating resort.
How many people can David Geffen’s yacht accommodate?
Rising Sun can host up to 18 guests in 9 staterooms. It carries a crew of about 45–55 people to attend to the guests and operate the yacht. This large crew includes officers, engineers, chefs, stewards, and deckhands to run the vessel and cater to every need.
Who has been on board David Geffen’s yacht?
The guest list reads like a VIP phonebook. Geffen has entertained presidents and celebrities aboard Rising Sun. Notable guests include Barack and Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Hanks. Movie stars and musicians such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Paul McCartney, Julia Roberts, and Steven Spielberg have also relaxed on its decks. Even tech billionaires like Jeff Bezos have partied on Rising Sun (Bezos was photographed with Amazon executive Lauren Sanchez, model Karlie Kloss and others).
How did David Geffen earn so much money?
Geffen’s fortune was built through entertainment. He rose to prominence by signing major music acts at his labels (Asylum, Geffen Records, DGC) and by co-founding DreamWorks SKG film studio. He sold Geffen Records (and part of DreamWorks) for huge sums. Over the years, savvy deals and investments (including a reported $500M sale of his record company) multiplied his wealth. Bloomberg notes Geffen’s journey from mailroom clerk to media titan resulted in his ~9-billion fortune. This background explains how the yacht got financed.
Why did David Geffen delete his Instagram account?
In March 2020, Geffen posted a photo of a sunset from Rising Sun with a caption about “isolated” life on the yacht during the pandemic. The post drew immediate backlash online for being out of touch. Business Insider reported critics calling it “tone-deaf” to post such luxury amid global hardship. In the face of criticism, Geffen deactivated his Instagram. So essentially, heavy social media criticism over the “yacht isolation” post led him to delete the account.
How does Geffen’s yacht compare to other famous yachts?
Rising Sun is among the world’s biggest and most luxurious yachts, but it’s not the absolute largest. It’s 453 feet long, making it one of the longest globally. For context, Forbes notes it’s the largest yacht owned by an American and the 18th largest worldwide at that length. In comparison, Roman Abramovich’s yacht Eclipse (162 m, ~$1.5B) and the Koru (Jeff Bezos’s 417 ft, ~$500M) are similarly colossal. Many billionaires have megayachts, but few match Rising Sun’s combination of size and amenity list (82 rooms, media rooms, etc.). In summary, Rising Sun is “top 20” in length worldwide, on par with the most expensive superyachts.
When did David Geffen buy the Rising Sun yacht?
Geffen first acquired a half-share of Rising Sun in 2006. After Larry Ellison ordered a new boat, Ellison sold his remaining share to Geffen, who became the sole owner in 2010. In total, Geffen spent about $590 million on the purchase that year. So essentially, by the end of 2010 Rising Sun was fully “David Geffen’s yacht.”