With its beautiful weather, stunning views, and access to some of the best beaches in the country, Palm Beach County has drawn its share of celebrity residents. Here are a few you might recognize.
Vanilla Ice
Remember the ‘90s rap hit, Ice Ice Baby? That was the brainchild of Robert Van Winkle, aka Vanilla Ice. A Texas native, Van Winkle grew up in south Florida, where his stepfather worked at a car dealership. His break into the music industry happened here, where he was influenced by the diverse cultures of the region, and the eclectic music and dance scenes. Ice Ice Baby was written when he was just 16 years old.
Bill Gates
This billionaire creator of the Microsoft empire owns a horse ranch in Wellington that he purchased for $8.5 million in 2013. His daughter Jennifer is a dedicated equestrian who regularly competes in shows around south Florida. The Gates family initially rented property in the area in order to be near the competitions, but eventually purchased the Wellington property in order to support Jennifer’s athletic ambitions. They ended up buying several other properties in the area, as well. Because Wellington is the winter equestrian capital of the world, it attracts many elites and celebrities, including Steve Jobs, who once owned property there, and Michael Bloomberg.
Jimmy Buffett
Is it any surprise that the singer of the beach-casual classic Margaritaville owns property in Palm Beach County? He and his wife recently sold their home on Garden Road in Palm Beach for $6.9 million. It is described as an “island retreat” and very “Zen-like.” No doubt, that chill, tropical vibe included a lot of margaritas.
Rod Stewart
Seventy-six-year-old British rock star Rod Stewart has been a part-time Palm Beach resident for many years now and even spent a large portion of 2020 there with his family. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
Donald Trump
We can’t not include on this list perhaps the most famous Palm Beach County residence – Mar-a-Lago, owned by former President Donald Trump. He and his wife, Melania, and their son Barron, currently reside there.
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