When rich people have free time, they have the means for extravagant hobbies, whether it’s collecting classic cars or jet-setting across the globe. But the most common hobby they pursue isn’t a gaudy display of wealth – it’s philanthropy.
In a new report from Wealth-X, a market research firm that focuses on ultra-high net worth (UHNW) individuals, we get a peek at the top passions, interests, and hobbies of people with $30 million or more in assets.
Philanthropy proved the most popular hobby, with more than one-third of the world’s wealthiest people pursuing charitable activities. This generosity comes as no surprise, though, thanks to the rise in recognition of endeavors such as The Giving Pledge, a promise started by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to commit more than half of their wealth to philanthropic causes during their lifetime.
The second most popular interest among this group is watching, playing, and investing in sports, including tennis, golf, skiing, American football, and most of all, soccer, according to Wealth-X.
From art and fashion to hunting and fishing, read on to see the 20 most common hobbies and passions of the wealthiest of the wealthy: the world's billionaires - culled from Wealth-X's 2016 billionaire census - as well as the percentage of billionaires who participate in each.
An earlier version of this post was written by Emmie Martin.
20. Skiing — 7.2%
19. Watches — 7.7%
18. Fishing — 7.8%
17. Jewelry — 8.1%
16. Hunting — 8.8%
15. Dining — 10.9%
14. Golf — 11%
13. Cultural events — 12.1%
12. Reading — 12.3%
11. Football/soccer — 13.1%
10. Collectibles — 14.1%
9. Automobiles — 14.5%
8. Health and exercise — 14.8%
7. Boating — 14.9%
6. Wine and spirits — 15.9%
5. Politics — 22.2%
4. Fashion and style — 25.2%
3. Art — 28.7%
2. Travel — 31%
1. Philanthropy — 56.3%
