Dubai, the glittering jewel of the United Arab Emirates, is synonymous with wealth, luxury, and excess. While the city’s skyline boasts architectural marvels like the Burj Khalifa, its streets are home to a new generation of ultra-wealthy youth who redefine extravagance. Known as the “Rich Kids of Dubai,” these young heirs and social media influencers, born into billionaire families or carving their own fortunes, spend millions daily on a lifestyle most can only dream of. From gold-plated supercars to private zoos and celebrity-studded parties, their spending habits are as jaw-dropping as they are controversial. In this article, we dive into five shocking ways Dubai’s richest kids burn through their fortunes every day, with one surprising twist that will leave you speechless.

1. Supercars and Custom Rides: A Million-Dollar Drive to the Mall

For Dubai’s elite youth, a car isn’t just transportation—it’s a status symbol. These kids own fleets of luxury vehicles, with collections often exceeding $10 million. Take Rashed Belhasa, aka Money Kicks, whose garage includes a Dior-wrapped Rolls-Royce Ghost, a Ferrari 488 Spider, and a gold-plated Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG. A single car in his collection can cost upwards of $500,000, and customizations like diamond-encrusted rims or 24-carat gold paint jobs add hundreds of thousands more.

Daily spending on cars goes beyond ownership. These kids frequently rent out their vehicles for photoshoots or music videos, charging $20,000 for a few hours, as Rashed revealed in a 2021 interview. Others, like Marwan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, own over 50 cars, including Lamborghinis and a Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe valued at $500,000. A casual drive to Dubai Mall might involve a $2.4 million Bugatti L’Or Blanc or a convoy of supercars, turning a simple outing into a million-dollar spectacle. Maintenance, fuel, and custom upgrades for these fleets can cost $10,000–$50,000 daily, making their car obsession a major drain on their fortunes.

2. Exotic Pets and Private Zoos: Lions as House Cats

Owning a pet in Dubai’s elite circles isn’t about cats or dogs—it’s about exotic animals that scream wealth. Rashed Belhasa’s private zoo, housed at his family’s sprawling Al Barsha mansion, is home to over 500 animals, including Bengal tigers, white lions, cheetahs, giraffes, and chimpanzees. The annual cost to maintain this zoo, reportedly funded by his billionaire father Saif Ahmed Belhasa, exceeds $1 million, with daily expenses for food, veterinary care, and staff running into the tens of thousands.

Other rich kids follow suit, with pet cheetahs and leopards spotted on leashes in Dubai’s streets or cruising in convertibles. The trend of owning big cats is so common among the elite that it’s become a status symbol, with a single animal costing $50,000–$100,000 to acquire and thousands more daily to care for. These kids post videos of themselves playing with lion cubs or feeding giraffes, racking up millions of views on Instagram and YouTube, which in turn fuels their social media empires. The cost of this exotic pet obsession is staggering, yet for them, it’s just another day in paradise.

3. Lavish Parties with A-List Celebrities: Million-Dollar Guest Lists

When Dubai’s richest kids throw a party, it’s a global event. These young moguls spend millions to host extravagant bashes featuring A-list celebrities, private jets, and venues like the Burj Al Arab. Rashed Belhasa, for instance, has hosted stars like Wiz Khalifa, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, and Jackie Chan at his mansion, with each appearance costing $1.1–$1.8 million. A single party can run upwards of $2 million, covering private performances, custom decor, and rare liquors like Louis XIII Black Pearl cognac, priced at $165,000 per bottle.

These events are often live-streamed or posted on social media, amplifying their influence and attracting sponsorships that offset costs but add to their fame. For example, a single Instagram post by a rich kid like Rashed at a luxury venue like Vidor Hotels can earn $10,000 in promotional fees, turning parties into business ventures. Yet, the daily cost of hosting or attending such events—complete with private helicopter transport or yacht rentals—easily reaches seven figures, making their social lives a massive expenditure.

4. Social Media Stardom: The Surprising Money Sink

Here’s the shocker: while social media has made these kids global sensations, it’s also a hidden money pit. Building and maintaining a massive online following requires significant investment, and Dubai’s richest kids spare no expense. Rashed Belhasa, with 3.88 million YouTube subscribers and 2.5 million Instagram followers, spends thousands daily on professional videographers, editors, and content creators to produce polished videos showcasing his cars, zoo, and lifestyle. A single high-quality vlog can cost $5,000–$10,000 to produce, with additional expenses for drones, lighting, and travel to exotic locations for shoots.

Moreover, these kids often buy luxury items specifically for content creation. A $1.5 million Bentley or a pair of $20,000 Yeezy sneakers might be purchased solely for a viral Instagram post, as seen with Rashed’s custom sneaker collection featured on World’s Weirdest Homes. Sponsorships and brand deals, while lucrative (Rashed earns $700 daily from YouTube alone), don’t always cover these costs. The pressure to maintain a flawless online image means constant spending on new outfits, gadgets, and experiences, turning social media into an unexpected financial drain that can consume millions annually.

5. Luxury Shopping Sprees: Couture and Gold Everything

Shopping for Dubai’s richest kids is a sport, with daily sprees at Dubai Mall or Rodeo Drive-level boutiques costing hundreds of thousands. These young elites are obsessed with high-end fashion, snapping up the latest Valentino, Gucci, and Chanel collections, often before they hit stores. A single outfit, like Rashed’s custom Dior ensembles or Else’s designer gowns, can cost $10,000–$50,000. Jewelry, such as rare gemstones or gold watches, adds another $100,000 per purchase.

Their fixation with gold is particularly extravagant. From 24-carat gold iPhones to gold-decked SUVs, these kids spend millions to “bling out” their possessions. A custom gold-plated Mercedes, like one owned by an Arab billionaire’s son, can cost $1 million, while gold accessories for daily use—like a $50,000 phone case—pile up fast. These sprees aren’t just about style; they’re about flaunting wealth in a city where gold is a cultural obsession, with daily shopping expenses often exceeding $100,000.

The Bigger Picture: Wealth and Influence

The spending habits of Dubai’s richest kids, while extravagant, are a reflection of their environment. Born into families like the Al Maktoums or Belhasas, with net worths in the billions, or building their own brands like Rashed, these kids live in a world where money is no object. Their daily expenditures—$50,000 on car maintenance, $20,000 on zoo upkeep, $1 million on parties, $10,000 on content creation, and $100,000 on shopping—can total millions, yet they’re often offset by sponsorships, investments, or family wealth.

The surprising twist of social media as a costly endeavor reveals the pressure to maintain their lavish image. While it generates income, the investment in content creation and curated purchases makes it a double-edged sword. For every viral post, thousands are spent to keep the spotlight on. Yet, these kids aren’t just wasting money—they’re shaping Dubai’s image as a global hub of luxury, drawing tourists and investors to a city built on opulence.

A Life of Excess or Ambition?

Critics argue these young elites are frivolous, squandering fortunes on fleeting pleasures. Others see them as savvy entrepreneurs, leveraging their wealth for influence and profit. Rashed Belhasa, for instance, has turned his lifestyle into a brand with his KA-1 streetwear line and Money Kicks online store, while others like Zahra bint Mohammed Bin Suliman use their fame for acting and modeling careers. Their spending, while excessive, fuels Dubai’s economy and global allure.

As Dubai continues to attract millionaires—5,000 moved there in 2016 alone—these kids embody the city’s ethos: if you have it, flaunt it. Their daily millions may shock, but they’re a testament to a city where dreams are gilded in gold.