3. 01. 2026 | Natalie Bezděková

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In recent decades, private islands have become one of the most prominent symbols of wealth, power and absolute freedom. While for most people, a tropical island holiday remains a dream come true for just a few days, some of the world’s celebrities have turned this dream into a permanent reality. Today, owning your own island doesn’t just mean a luxurious retreat, but also the opportunity for total privacy, control of space and a lifestyle away from the public eye.

One of the most famous examples is Johnny Depp, who owns a private island in the Caribbean. For the actor, the island has become a place of escape from media pressure, lawsuits and the hectic world of Hollywood. Depp’s island is not a crowded resort, but a quiet retreat with several small beaches and simple buildings that respect the natural environment. For him, the island is not a demonstration of luxury, but a personal space where he can be himself.

Marlon Brando, who pioneered the trend, had a similarly strong relationship with the private island. His island in Polynesia was not only a place to relax, but also an experiment in sustainable living. Here, Brando sought to combine luxury with respect for nature and local culture. It was his approach that inspired later generations of the rich and famous to seek not just comfort, but meaning and responsibility on their own islands. Leonardo DiCaprio’s approach brings a completely different dimension, combining island ownership with environmental activism. His Caribbean island is conceived as an ecological project to minimize the carbon footprint and promote the protection of the oceans and biodiversity. The island here is not an escape from the world, but a platform for spreading ideas about sustainable development and responsible tourism.

But owning a private island is not just a matter of a romantic notion of paradise. It involves high costs, complex legal relationships and responsibility for the management of the territory. Owners have to deal with infrastructure, supply, conservation and relations with neighbouring countries. The island thus becomes not only a symbol of freedom, but also a commitment that requires long-term care and strategic planning.

The private islands of celebrities therefore speak not only of their financial capabilities but also of their values and lifestyle. While for some, an island is a quiet refuge from the world, for others it is a tool for self-realisation or an ecological message. In any case, they represent an extreme form of the desire for privacy at a time when personal space is an increasingly scarce commodity. The island thus becomes not only a place on the map, but also a powerful symbol of the modern concept of freedom.

Photo source: www.pexels.com

Natalie Bezděková

I am a student of Master's degree in Political Science. I am interested in marketing, especially copywriting and social media. I also focus on political and social events at home and abroad and technological innovations. My free time is filled with sports, reading and a passion for travel.