Top 10 Most Outrageously Expensive Gifts Ever Given

Value: $700, 000

It is no secret that cars are overwhelmingly expensive, however, who would have thought that giving a bunch of them could be possible? In the case of Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan, five members of his core team in his blockbuster movie Ra 1 were given brand new BMW7 series Sedan cars as tokens of gratitude.

Each vehicle is reported to be worth around Rs 10 million ( $700, 000), creating by far one of the most expensive and generous gifts ever provided to several people at the same time.

Value: $1 million

It is no secret that Elizabeth Taylor has received a bounty of precious gifts during her lifetime. However, the most famous among them is none other than the gift from the formidable Shakespearean actor Richard Burton, who gave her a 69.42-carat pear-shaped diamond for her 40th birthday.

At that time, the jewelry was said to be valued at around $1,050,000, creating one of the most expensive gifts ever given.

Value: $9 million

Raj Kundra, a prominent business magnate in the UK, brought the gift-giving game to a whole new level (pun intended). In 2011, the British billionaire decided to purchase an apartment on the 19th floor of Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. What for? The place was presented as a wedding anniversary gift to his wife and Bollywood diva, Shilpa Shetty.

The estimated cost of the apartment is valued at approximately 50 crores – that is equal to a staggering $9 million today.

Value: $11.9 million

Originally belonging to the Ottoman Sultan, Abdul Hamid II, this pear-shaped diamond necklace was given to the American heiress Evalyn Walsh McLean as a wedding gift. 

The diamond, which was reported to weigh 94.80-carats, was mounted on a chain that comes with a hexagonal emerald of 34 carats and a pearl of 32 grains. The necklace is said to be valued at a whopping $11.9 million, attracting several TV channels and newspapers at that time.

Value: $13 million

Dubbed to be the most controversial gift ever given, the Kohinoor is believed to be yielded by Raja Duleep Singh to Britain’s Queen Victoria as a symbol of respect. However, to date, more recent claims now challenge this narrative and said the stone was in fact “stolen or forcibly taken away” by the colonial power.

To date, although the history of the 105-carat diamond remains to be enshrouded in mystery, the Kohinoor remains to be part of the British crown jewels and is still in a display case in the Tower of London.

Value: $14 million

If you think love doesn’t cost a penny, then you probably haven’t heard yet of the bronze sculpture called “Walking Man I.” Sold at a hefty price of $14 million in an art auction, this enigmatic art piece was bought by one of the richest men in the world, Roman Abramovich, as a gift to his then-girlfriend, Dasha Zhukova. 

As if that wasn’t enough, the Russian billionaire was reported to have gifted his sweetheart with lavish and precious paintings in the past, totaling around $120 million.

Value: $60 million

While the 5th on our list came in the form of a sculpture, the 4th most expensive gift ever given took on the form of a luxurious jet plane. In 2007, India’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, bought his wife a luxury jet worth $60 million for her 44th birthday. 

The deluxe jet plane was said to contain entertainment cabins, a sky bar, fancy showers, several bedrooms, and other facilities.

Value: $84 million

Who else would top Mukesh Ambani’s excessive gift to his wife other than Mukesh himself? If you thought the $60 million jet plane was already astronomical, then you need to hear the story of how Mukesh purchased another astounding gift for his wife. Got a clue on what it is? It is none other than an $84 million dollar yacht!

Value: $300 million

Landing the second spot is none other than Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah’s extravagant gift collection to the former US President Barack Obama. 

In 2015, the renowned King is said to have bestowed a total of $300,000 on the Obama family. The gift collection includes rare gems, gold jewelry, diamonds, ruby, emeralds, and other valuable items.

Value: $827 million 

Of course, no other gift ever recorded in history could top the ivory-white marble mausoleum that is the Taj Mahal.

Named to be one of the most beautiful buildings ever created, this exquisite mausoleum complex was said to have been built by Shah Jahan, a famous Mughal ruler, as a memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Mumtaz Mahal died giving birth to their 14th child.

The structure was said to be built by 20,000 workers in a span of 22 long years and had used around 32 million Indian Rupees during that time. When adjusted, the amount if worth around $827 million today.

To date, the building now stands as one of the world’s best-known World Heritage sites and the main site of India.

Who says love, gratitude, and appreciation don’t cost a penny? Although you are free to deliver any gift to the ones you loved, no matter the cost, there is no denying that these 10 extravagant gifts have helped shape and re-shape the custom of gift-giving throughout history.

Which among these items surprised you the most?

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