Being one of the wealthiest people in the world can open plenty of doors. Apparently, though, the doors of Indian Creek Country Club require a little more effort—even for Jeff Bezos.
Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sánchez, have yet to secure membership at the famously private Florida club, despite owning three properties worth a combined $234 million on Indian Creek Island, the enclave frequently nicknamed the “Billionaire Bunker.”
That doesn’t necessarily mean they’ve been rejected.
According to a source cited by Page Six, Bezos and Sánchez are likely to become members eventually. The catch is that they will have to go through the social process rather than expecting their wealth or celebrity status to push them to the front of the line.
Even Jeff Bezos Has to Socialize
Indian Creek is exceptionally private. The island reportedly contains only 41 residences, is gated and guarded, and even maintains its own police force. Its country club is similarly difficult to access.
Bezos and Sánchez have already started getting acquainted with the club’s members. They attended an annual dock party in February, but apparently one appearance isn’t enough.
The expectation is that prospective members become familiar faces within the community by attending mixers and other social events. In other words, members want to actually know the people they’re considering admitting.
| What Helps | What Doesn’t Guarantee Membership |
|---|---|
| Getting to know existing members | Being extremely wealthy |
| Attending community events | Owning property on Indian Creek |
| Regular social involvement | Celebrity status |
| Building relationships over time | Attending a single event |
The club is known for taking its time with new applicants, although there have been exceptions. NFL legend Tom Brady was reportedly admitted immediately after purchasing property on the island with his then-wife Gisele Bündchen.
Bezos Isn’t the Only Billionaire Waiting
Perhaps the most remarkable part of Indian Creek’s exclusivity is the list of wealthy residents who haven’t managed to join.
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner have reportedly been trying to gain membership despite establishing themselves within the community. Kushner joined the governing board of Indian Creek Village, while the couple has attended events involving club members. Page Six, citing reporting from The Wall Street Journal, says their prospects now appear to be improving.
They’re hardly alone.
Mark Zuckerberg and members of the Qatari royal family also reportedly live in the neighborhood without having gained access to the club.
The admissions process is particularly selective because a single member can reportedly object to a prospective member.
Indian Creek Has Long Attracted the Ultra-Wealthy
The island’s extraordinary privacy has made it a magnet for billionaires, celebrities and prominent business figures.
Current and former residents have included investor Carl Icahn, businessman Jeff Soffer, former Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula, supermodel Adriana Lima and hedge fund manager Eddie Lampert.
Even Jay-Z and Beyoncé once owned a seven-bedroom Mediterranean-style home on the island, eventually selling the property in 2010 for $9.3 million.
Will Bezos and Sánchez Eventually Get In?
The indications are that they probably will.
But Indian Creek Country Club appears to operate according to a rather unusual principle in the billionaire world: money alone isn’t enough.
Bezos and Sánchez already have the homes, the wealth and the celebrity profile. What they apparently need now is time—and a willingness to become part of the club’s exceptionally private social circle.
For a man accustomed to buying almost anything he wants, that may make an Indian Creek membership one of the more unusual things money can’t instantly deliver.
