Written by Ben Slaughter 

In recent years, there has been a noticeable trend among the world’s elite: a growing focus on emergency preparedness. From building panic rooms to creating entire compounds, many wealthy individuals are taking significant steps to ensure their safety in uncertain times.

The Growing Concern Among the Wealthy

Despite their financial security, many of the rich and famous are increasingly concerned about the fragility of our economy and infrastructure. They understand that wealth cannot protect them from every disaster, and their preparedness measures reflect this awareness.

From Panic Rooms to Secure Compounds

Celebrities and high-profile individuals are investing in advanced security measures. Media mogul Oprah Winfrey, rock star Elton John, and actress Gwyneth Paltrow are among those who have constructed panic rooms. These rooms, which can cost anywhere from $50,000 to $1 million, are equipped with features such as electrified door knobs, facial-recognition locks, and ballistic-proof doors.

These panic rooms are designed to be unnoticeable from the outside and often include bullet-proof night-vision gear, medical kits, food supplies, and air filtration systems. Builders of these rooms report a significant increase in demand since 2020, driven by the Covid-19 pandemic and civil unrest.

Some of the wealthiest individuals are taking preparedness to the next level. Facebook founder and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly constructing a 5,000-square-foot fortress beneath his Hawaiian ranch. This $100 million project includes survival food stockpiles, blast-resistant doors, and its own energy supply.

Many elites are particularly concerned about the possibility of an electric grid collapse. As a precaution, they are purchasing older planes and cars that would still function in the event of an electromagnetic pulse. Some survival compounds feature moats that can be set on fire, water cannons, decontamination booths, and underground shooting ranges.