Latest news with #DorchesterHotel
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Meet Rory McIlroy's billionaire neighbor with 7,000 cars, 39 tigers and $15K haircut habit
Rory McIlroy had added a posh $9 million mansion to his portfolio of homes, and while the UK neighborhood is packed with plenty of wealthy figures, there's one neighbor in particular who leads an opulent lifestyle that's gonna be hard for the 2025 Masters champion to contend with. The professional golfer, 36, and his wife, Erica Stoll, 37, purchased the luxury Wentworth estate back in 2023 after announcing that they wanted to leave the US for a quieter life in the UK. The couple has been living in a $11 million mansion in the iconic Bear's Club Community in Juniper, Florida, since 2012. After winning the 2025 Masters back in April, McIlroy, who is originally from Northern Ireland, brought his wife and their daughter, Poppy, 4, along to check the status of the renovations. The couple reportedly spent several million dollars on the construction of their dream home. "We came back a few weeks ago and moved into our new home in Wentworth and been since trying to settle in, and it's amazing what two weeks of a bit of detachment can do for you, and sitting there being with your own thoughts for a while," McIlroy told The Telegraph on July 9. "There's a detachment from the sort of week-in, week-out grind when you get back over here," he said regarding his new pad. "You play PGA Tour golf for the first 25, 30 weeks of the year, and you need to completely get away from it—because this world of golf can become all-encompassing." "In this last fortnight, I felt like I could detach and sort of hide in a way. I needed that. My game needed that." Meet Rory McIlroy's billionaire neighbor who has over 7,000 cars and 30 Bengal tigers The estate is housed in an area with several other high-profile names, including Elton John and British singer and actor Cliff Richard. However, billionaire Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, 79, who lives next door, takes the cake for having one of the highest net worths at an estimated $30 billion, per Celebrity Net Worth. According to the "Mirror," the Sultan owns over 7,000 cars, including more than 500 Rolls-Royces, as well as a private zoo that boasts 30 Bengal tigers and an extensive range of exotic birds. When you reach billionaire status, good haircuts clearly become a priority, as the outlet reports that McIlroy's new neighbor dishes out over $20,000 (USD) to regularly fly his personal barber, who works at London's Dorchester Hotel, out for a trim. MORE: Rory McIlroy is officially a magician at the Open Championship Bolkiah was crowned the Sultan of Brunei in 1968 and is now the longest-reigning monarch in the world, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. He primarily resides in the Istana Nurul Iman in Brunei, a residence considered the world's largest palace, boasting a staggering 1,788 rooms. In addition to his role as Prime Minister of Brunei, the Sultan also holds several other positions in finance and defense. MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS: Deion Sanders breaks silence on health amid undisclosed illness Babe Ruth card from his early years sells for record price Conor McGregor reignites romance with fiancée Dee Devlin after affair rumors swirl Klay Thompson flaunts luxury watch gift from 'sweet' girlfriend Megan Thee Stallion Cavinder twins share first update after undergoing breast augmentation together
Daily Mirror
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Rory McIlroy's new UK neighbour is worth £22bn, pays £15,000 a haircut and owns private zoo
Rory McIlroy has added a plush Surrey mansion to his portfolio, and while the area features many high-profile residents, no one can quite live up to the Sultan of Brunei, who also owns a house in the vicinity Rory McIlroy owns a luxury mansion in a neighbourhood where he can now count one of the richest men on the planet as his neighbour. McIlroy and his family bought the house in the sprawling Wentworth estate in Surrey back in 2023. He has since claimed to have spent up to £9million in kitting out the home for when he moves in. Alongside his wife Erica Stoll and daughter Poppy, McIlroy paid a visit to the house shortly after winning the Masters in April to check on the status of the rennovations. McIlroy and Stoll have been living in a £16.5m mansion in Jupiter, Florida, since buying the property from golf icon Ernie Els in 2017. While that neighbourhood was packed with Hollywood stars, giants of the tech world and fellow golfers, perhaps none of them can hold a candle to the PGA Tour star's newest neighbour - the Sultan of Brunei. McIlroy's new estate houses several high-profile names, from Elton John and Cliff Richard, but it's the presence of the Sultan, who is worth £22.3billion that really gives the area and its wealthy status an undeniable sheen. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, 79, owns numerous luxury houses in several stunning locales. Yet from time to time, he will drop in on his home next to the McIlroys. He was first crowned the 29th Sultan of Brunei in 1968 and is now known as the longest-reigning monarch in the world, following the death of Queen Elizabeth in 2022. The Sultan primarily lives in the Istana Nurul Iman, in Brunei, which is the planet's largest palace, featuring an astonishing 1,788 rooms. While serving as the prime minister of Brunei, he also holds several other positions that focus on finance and defence. He is known to be a qualified pilot, and in an obscene show of wealth, boasts a private collection of around 500 Rolls-Royces, with 7,000 cars to his name overall. Personal care is also high on the Sultan's list. He reportedly spends £15,000 on a haircut and has his personal barber, who works at London's Dorchester Hotel, fly out to give him a quick trim. A private zoo with 30 Bengal tigers and a range of exotic birds is also one of his prized assets. Under his rule, Brunei earned its status as one of the world's wealthiest countries. Entertainment is also a priority, as he was once believed to have paid the late Michael Jackson £12m to perform at his 50th birthday party. Not one for keeping things low-key, the birthday celebrations apparently lasted over two weeks. The sultan has faced challenges on the international stage, however. His interpretation of Sharia law, which allowed whipping and stoning to death for those guilty of adultery, homosexuality and rape, was met with backlash. This later led to a boycott of extravagant hotels owned by the Sultan, including the Dorchester in London and the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles, California.
Scotsman
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Paloma Faith stuns at Caudwell Butterfly Ball as she raises £1.5m
The singer hit the red carpet in a daring Ronald van der Kemp gown | No Credit Paloma Faith hit the red carpet at this year's Butterfly Ball, as the 25th anniversary gala at London's Dorchester Hotel raised a whopping £1,515,585 for Caudwell Children's charity. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Caudwell Children is a charity in the UK that supports autistic and disabled children. The singer-songwriter, who served as the event's musical director, lit up the hotel dressed in a darling Ronald van der Kemp gown and brought the iconic Sister Sledge to the stage. Joined alongside the 'Only Love Can Hurt Like This' curator, stars including Tamzin Outhwaite, Donna Preston, Michelle Gayle, Brenda Edwards, Jonathwan Wilkes, Olivia Cox, Lady Wilnelia Forsyth, Dominic Skinner, Nicholas Hamilton and Emhrys Cooper all attended the event. The night, sponsored by Burgess and Furrer Carrara, was to highlight the life-changing work that Caudwell Children does. It featured performances from Magic FM DJ Neev Spencer, who played during dinner, and DJ Harriet Rose ensured the party continued into the small hours of the night. Hosted by Nick Ede, he was joined on stage by Rhys Walker, a proud beneficiary of the charity's Shaping Futures employability programme. But it was Faith's blend of passion and personal connection that gave the event its emotional core. Claire Marshall, CEO of Caudwell Children, said: 'I'm deeply moved by the extraordinary generosity shown by our guests and supporters at this year's Butterfly Ball, especially as we mark a momentous milestone for Caudwell Children, 25 years of transforming the lives of disabled and autistic children. 'Experiencing my first Butterfly Ball as CEO is something I will never forget. 'The donations made will help to fund our vital, life-changing services, from mobility aids and sensory equipment to therapies and autism assessments. 'This evening wasn't just about fundraising, but was an opportunity for us to open doors to brighter futures, giving children the chance to thrive.' Founder John Caudwell, who started the charity in 2000, gave a speech about the growth of the organisation, which now operates from the pioneering Caudwell International Children's Centre and has helped thousands of families to date. John said: 'I feel immensely proud that, in 25 years of Caudwell Children, we have transformed the lives of children and young people over 100,000 times. 'Tonight's Butterfly Ball is a powerful reminder of how far we've come. 'Seeing so many people come together with generosity, compassion, and belief in our mission fills me with deep gratitude. 'Every penny raised tonight will help us continue providing life-changing support to even more disabled and autistic children across the UK.' The evening also featured a luxury live auction and charity pledges led by Charlie Ross.
Scotsman
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Paloma Faith stuns at Caudwell Butterfly Ball as she raises £1.5m
The singer hit the red carpet in a daring Ronald van der Kemp gown | No Credit Paloma Faith hit the red carpet at this year's Butterfly Ball, as the 25th anniversary gala at London's Dorchester Hotel raised a whopping £1,515,585 for Caudwell Children's charity. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Caudwell Children is a charity in the UK that supports autistic and disabled children. The singer-songwriter, who served as the event's musical director, lit up the hotel dressed in a darling Ronald van der Kemp gown and brought the iconic Sister Sledge to the stage. Joined alongside the 'Only Love Can Hurt Like This' curator, stars including Tamzin Outhwaite, Donna Preston, Michelle Gayle, Brenda Edwards, Jonathwan Wilkes, Olivia Cox, Lady Wilnelia Forsyth, Dominic Skinner, Nicholas Hamilton and Emhrys Cooper all attended the event. The night, sponsored by Burgess and Furrer Carrara, was to highlight the life-changing work that Caudwell Children does. It featured performances from Magic FM DJ Neev Spencer, who played during dinner, and DJ Harriet Rose ensured the party continued into the small hours of the night. Hosted by Nick Ede, he was joined on stage by Rhys Walker, a proud beneficiary of the charity's Shaping Futures employability programme. But it was Faith's blend of passion and personal connection that gave the event its emotional core. Claire Marshall, CEO of Caudwell Children, said: 'I'm deeply moved by the extraordinary generosity shown by our guests and supporters at this year's Butterfly Ball, especially as we mark a momentous milestone for Caudwell Children, 25 years of transforming the lives of disabled and autistic children. 'Experiencing my first Butterfly Ball as CEO is something I will never forget. 'The donations made will help to fund our vital, life-changing services, from mobility aids and sensory equipment to therapies and autism assessments. 'This evening wasn't just about fundraising, but was an opportunity for us to open doors to brighter futures, giving children the chance to thrive.' Founder John Caudwell, who started the charity in 2000, gave a speech about the growth of the organisation, which now operates from the pioneering Caudwell International Children's Centre and has helped thousands of families to date. John said: 'I feel immensely proud that, in 25 years of Caudwell Children, we have transformed the lives of children and young people over 100,000 times. 'Tonight's Butterfly Ball is a powerful reminder of how far we've come. 'Seeing so many people come together with generosity, compassion, and belief in our mission fills me with deep gratitude. 'Every penny raised tonight will help us continue providing life-changing support to even more disabled and autistic children across the UK.'
Metro
25-06-2025
- Metro
Fraudster made £500,000 by conning luxury brands into buying fake 'Scottish tea'
A fraudster who made more than £500,000 by conning luxury businesses into buying 'Scottish-grown tea' that actually came from wholesalers abroad has been jailed. Thomas Robinson, 55, operating under the business name The Wee Tea Plantation, claimed to have cultivated the tea at his Perthshire estate using innovative techniques. He flogged it to high profile clients including representatives of the Balmoral Hotel, the Dorchester Hotel and a company acting on behalf of Fortnum & Mason. Robinson, also known as Tam O'Braan and Thomas O'Brien, bolstered his credibility by fabricating academic qualifications and industry awards. He claimed to have worked for the Obama administration in America on a maize project, served in the British Army in bomb disposal and invented the 'bag for life'. But the reality was he had bought over a tonne of tea grown abroad, repacked it, and sold it on. He disguised what he was doing by getting the foreign tea delivered to a mailbox address in Glasgow and paying for it though a private bank account. The court heard a kilo of African tea could be sold for 100 times its cost if passed as grown in Scotland. Robinson also claimed to have produced tea plants at Amulree from cuttings and seed. Between 2015 and 2018 he supplied 22,000 plants to a dozen other growers in Scotland and one in Jersey at £12.50 each. Over the same period he was actually importing tea plants at €3 each from a horticulturalist in Italy. He either passed them off as Scottish-grown or allowed his customers to assume they were. Representing himself, Robinson begged for 'compassion' as he appeared by videolink from HMP Low Moss, wearing a green sweatshirt. Sheriff Keith O'Mahony refused a bid to defer sentence and said it was in the public interest that it went ahead, as Robinson was 'articulate' enough to represent himself. He was found guilty of two counts of fraud, spanning January 2014 and February 2019, to a value of almost £553,000 after a trial at Falkirk Sheriff Court. Robinson, who told the court he has four children and attends church, claimed he awoke every morning in his cell plagued with guilt about the 'reputational damage' caused to genuine Scottish tea growers. 'I've had time to wrestle with this over sleepless nights, coming to realise how wrong and stupid I've been,' he told the court. 'The damage this has on all concerned, the stigma of misleading others… I should have been much more transparent and owned up to the situation. Hubris and arrogance made me believe I did my best. 'The method by which you could grow tea in Scotland, something I was told you couldn't do… I didn't know the best, I didn't act as I should have. I go to church, I'm perfectly aware that a sin is not only to do something, but also not to do the right thing. 'The shame of that hangs over me every morning every time I wake up in my cell. Central to that guilt I'm responsible for reputational damage of those involved and reputational damage of growing tea in Scotland. 'It was a scheme I received support from the Scottish Government. I solemnly hope my actions have not detracted from the success which can be achieved for people who want to grow tea in Scotland. I can only offer my sincere apologies if my actions have besmirched that capability.' He told the court he had experienced 'suicidal emotions' due to guilt and had been 'too ashamed to explain' to his four children. Robinson claimed he would not reoffend and had learnt from his actions, 'not only from shock of my conviction but truthful acceptance of what I have done'. He added: 'I solemnly would ask that the above is taken into consideration not as an excuse but an acceptance of the serious nature of my actions and inactions, and I throw myself on the mercy of the court for your compassion.' Sheriff O'Mahony said the jury had 'generally rejected' Robinson's evidence, and the charges spanned five years and totalled £552,988. He added: 'By any measure these convictions must be regarded as significant. Mr O'Brien demonstrated significant planning, he was persistent, he repeatedly made false statements. 'These charges are not victimless, witness after witness gave evidence and said they would not have had the transaction if they had known. They were convinced on false pretences to hand over significant sums of money.' Robinson put his head in his hands as the three-and-a-half year sentence was handed down. Helen Nisbet, procurator fiscal for Tayside, Central and Fife, said: 'Individuals, businesses, and genuine Scottish tea growers suffered financial and reputational harm as a consequence of Robinson's deceit. 'But thanks to partnership working between Food Standards Scotland, Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, he has been brought to account for his crimes. 'We are committed to tackling financial crime of this kind.' Ron McNaughton, of Food Standards Scotland (FSS), said: 'We welcome today's sentencing as a clear signal that food fraud is a serious crime with serious consequences. More Trending 'A three-and-a-half year custodial sentence reflects the scale and impact of Mr Robinson's deception. His actions caused real financial and reputational harm to individuals, businesses and a developing sector of genuine Scottish tea producers. 'This outcome is the result of a complex and painstaking investigation involving a dedicated team at FSS and the co-operation of partner agencies and key witnesses. 'It demonstrates that those who set out to mislead consumers and defraud businesses will be held accountable. 'Food fraud undermines consumer trust and damages the integrity of Scotland's globally respected food and drink sector. We remain committed to detecting and disrupting criminal activity of this nature.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Trial date set for man accused of murdering partner found dead after gas explosion MORE: Glasgow city council hit by cyber attack that 'may have stolen residents' data MORE: Samurai swordsman guilty of murdering schoolboy he nearly decapitated during rampage
