$100,000 a year on groceries, $220,000 on horses: What the Epstein files reveal about one billionaire's spending habits
Business Insider
February 15, 2026
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The Epstein files have exposed a rare glimpse into the extravagant lifestyle of billionaire real estate magnate Mortimer Zuckerman, revealing how the ultrawealthy manage their finances. The documents, buried among millions of pages, detail his personal spending for a year, totaling $8.9 million—equivalent to roughly $12.8 million today. This breakdown offers a fascinating insight into the extraordinary expenses of the ultra-rich, from everyday costs like parking tickets and home repairs to extravagant indulgences such as horse ownership and private jet travel.
Zuckerman, worth $2.8 billion according to Forbes, made his fortune in real estate and has donated hundreds of millions to charitable causes, including neuroscience research and cancer treatment. His lifestyle reflects immense wealth: he owns properties in East Hampton, Manhattan, and Aspen; a yacht named the Lazy Z; luxury cars like a Lexus and Mercedes; and at least one private plane. The financial diary from Morgan Stanley Smith Barney reveals a lavish existence, with expenses ranging from $140 in parking tickets to $220,000 spent on horses annually. This level of spending highlights the disconnect between ordinary budgeting practices and the ultrawealthy’s financial reality.
The document breaks down Zuckerman’s 2011 expenses into categories like taxes ($1.9 million), home improvements ($1.2 million), payroll for personal staff ($1.15 million), housing costs ($823,000), household expenses ($732,000), and contributions to charity ($468,000). His recreational spending included $219,074 on horses—covering stabling, medical care, and riding lessons—and $50,777 on skiing. Even everyday costs like groceries ($113,946) and
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Originally published on Business Insider on 2/15/2026