WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum, who once worked in a grocery store and could only afford to rent a tiny one-bedroom apartment, now owns a stunning $70 million château on the French Riviera that is spread across 14,000 square feet.

Tech tycoon Paul Allen had it, former Chelsea F.C. owner Roman Abramovich has it, and so did oligarch Boris Berezovsky. Now, another name has been added to this list, not of stunning superyachts, but of impressive mansions in the prestigious town of Antibes. Jan Koum, the co-founder and former CEO of WhatsApp, has become the latest billionaire to acquire a property on Cap d’Antibes.


His recent acquisition, Château de la Garoupe, was previously owned by the aforementioned Berezovsky, who bought the century-old property in 1999 for approximately $24 million. It was sold to the self-taught computer programmer for nearly $70 million, in November 2023, according to Nice Matin.

This splendid masterpiece, designed by British painter-architect Ernest George, stands in stark contrast to Koum’s early years, which were marked by financial hardship. The Ukrainian-born tech mogul arrived in the United States at 16. At that time, his family lived in a one-bedroom apartment in Mountain View, California, shared by his babysitter mother and grandmother. Fast forward to today, and Koum now owns an aristocratic residence offering panoramic views of the southern French Alps. The property, built in 1907 by parliamentarian Charles McLaren, has truly transformed his life.

Life on the charming Côte d’Azur has come full circle for Koum, a man worth nearly $17 billion, according to Forbes, with both a literal palace and a floating palace in the form of his superyacht Moonrise, parked nearby.

This remarkable home spans a whopping 14,000 square feet, featuring a stunning drawing room, a music room, and a billiards room, which make up the north side of the mansion. The rest of the house includes a primary bedroom with a dressing room and a large terrace, five guest rooms, and a winter garden. In addition to expansive, manicured lawns, there is a swimming pool, jacuzzi, and tennis court.

It’s no surprise that this palatial abode once attracted someone as great and talented as the legendary Pablo Picasso, who spent significant time in Antibes in the late 1940s. It was here that he created some of his most famous works.

Jan Koum’s journey from humble beginnings to owning one of Antibes’ most prestigious estates is a testament to his resilience and success. With Château de la Garoupe, he not only embraces luxury but also secures a piece of history and art.