In the world of billionaires, superyachts are more than just floating palaces. They are personal playgrounds, status symbols, and sometimes, the subject of legendary stories. One such tale, shared by renowned yacht storyteller Kevin Koenig on Instagram, involves Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (often referred to as MBS), and one of the most luxurious superyachts ever built: Serene.
The summer of Serene
It was the summer of 2014 when Bill Gates and his family vacationed aboard the majestic 439-foot Serene, a megayacht then owned by Russian vodka magnate Yuri Shefler. Gates, who was known for his love of tennis and tight routines, reportedly paid a staggering five million dollars per week to charter the vessel.
Every morning, before indulging in water sports with his family, Gates would board a helicopter from the yacht to fly to Sardinia, just to play tennis. After his game, he would return to the yacht for a relaxing day of snorkeling, jet skiing, and lounging on the sun deck.
Serene wasn’t just a chartered escape. It became a personal favorite of Gates. So taken was he with the yacht’s scale, luxury, and amenities that he began to seriously consider purchasing it. At the time, Gates had just regained his title as the world’s richest person and felt Serene would be a fitting companion to his fortune. He had the interest, the intent, and certainly the money.
Enter MBS
Just as Gates was warming up to the idea of acquiring Serene, another interested party entered the scene. In 2015, while vacationing in the South of France, MBS caught sight of the yacht. It wasn’t docked for sale, but that didn’t matter. The Saudi Crown Prince was instantly captivated. As Kevin Koenig tells it, the Saudi prince didn’t bother with negotiations or back-and-forth discussions.
Instead, he simply sent an aide to speak with Shefler and offered an estimated $550 million on the spot. The payment was made in a single wire transfer and, depending on the source, the deal was closed within 24 to 48 hours. Shefler was told to pack up and leave immediately.
Bill Gates, according to the story, was left deeply disappointed. He had planned, waited, and admired the vessel. MBS just saw it, wanted it, and bought it. As Koenig aptly puts it, what MBS wants, MBS gets.
A floating legend
Today, Serene is firmly under Saudi ownership and is said to be part of the royal fleet. Beyond the drama of its ownership, Serene remains one of the most iconic superyachts in the world. Built in 2011 by Fincantieri, Serene was the shipyard’s first foray into the world of private megayachts. At 439 feet long and with a beam of 60 feet, it is a marvel of modern design and naval architecture.
The yacht features seven sprawling decks and over 4,500 square meters of interior space. The design, crafted by Reymond Langton, is largely kept secret, but what is known is enough to impress even the most seasoned luxury traveler. Serene includes two helipads, one of which can convert into a swimming pool or a dance floor. It also has an onboard submarine, an underwater viewing room, a seawater pool, a cinema, a piano lounge, a beach club, and a wellness center complete with spas, hammams and a snow room.
Guests, up to 24 in total, are pampered in 12 luxurious suites and looked after by a crew of more than 50. The owner’s suite includes a private swim platform and an elevator.
And for those who enjoy rare art as much as rare experiences, Serene is also believed to house Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi, the world’s most expensive painting, purchased for roughly $450 million.
The yacht that got away
For Bill Gates, Serene remains the yacht that got away. It offered him a taste of life at sea in peak luxury, but he was ultimately outpaced by a prince with limitless resources and zero hesitation. The story serves as a fascinating glimpse into how the ultra-wealthy operate, where deals worth hundreds of millions can happen faster than most people can book a vacation.
And while Gates may never have owned Serene, the billionaire commissioned the world’s first eco-friendly, hydrogen-powered superyacht named Breakthrough. However, as it turns out, the Microsoft co-founder who has never even stepped foot on the Breakthrough, is now looking for a buyer for the $645 million vessel.