Earth's wealthiest people – in pictures

America’s biggest house, a golfing Versace addict in China, the must-have sweater for Russian it-girls … Lauren Greenfield’s photobook Generation Wealth documents 25 years of rampant global materialism

Main image: Yvonne Xue, 44, board chairman and general manager of Shanghai Si Tong Cable Industry, and vice board chairman of Shanghai Huiyang Industry Company, photographed practising golf in her designer home in Shanghai. Yvonne’s bedroom is decorated with a complete Versace bedroom set. Photograph: Lauren Greenfield

  • Russia’s must-have sweater

    Socialite and former model Ilona Stolie with her daughter Michelle, four, in their Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired mansion situated in Rublyovka, an elite residential area outside Moscow. Stolie wears a sweater designed for her by her fashion stylist friend Andrey Artyomov. It became a must-have for all Moscow’s ‘it girls’. All images: Lauren Greenfield/INSTITUTE
    Russian socialite and former model Ilona Stolie and her daughter Michelle, 4

  • Nose job party

    Eighteen-year-old Lindsey attends an Independence Day party in Calabasas, California, three days after having a nose job. Six out of eight of her friends have had nose jobs, liposuction, breast enlargement or reduction.
    Nose job partyEighteen-year-old Lindsey attends an Independence Day party in Calabasas, California, three days after having a nose job. Six out of eight of her friends have had nose jobs, liposuction, breast enlargement or reduction.

  • Golf by Versace

    Yvonne Xue, 44, board chairman and general manager of Shanghai Si Tong Cable Industry, and vice board chairman of Shanghai Huiyang Industry Company, photographed practising golf in her designer home in Shanghai. Yvonne’s bedroom is decorated with a complete Versace bedroom set.
    Yvonne Xue, 44, board chairman general manager of Shanghai Si Tong Cable Industry practicing golf in her bedroom

  • America’s highest-grossing nightclub

    A VIP is invited to ‘make it rain’ with hundreds of dollar bills on a sold-out Saturday night at Marquee Las Vegas. The club uses this technique to set the mood and pump up the crowd. Marquee relies heavily on selling premium champagne and liquor to a clientele eager to spend money, making the Marquee the highest grossing nightclub in America.
    A VIP guest “makes it rain” with hundreds of one dollar bills

  • Moscow debutantes

    Elizabeth Aminov is the daughter of a prominent Moscow businessman. She has made all her pre-ball preparations at the Ritz, while other debutantes had their hair and makeup done before going. Fashion has become a major element of the ball with designers competing for the most beautiful dress.
    Elizabeth Aminov, daughter of a prominent businessman at a ball

  • Beauty queen aged five

    Kailia Deliz wins the Ventura County Summer Fun beauty pageant in California. Already a pageant veteran at the age of five, Kailia won every category in her age group, and took the overall prize of $500.
    Kailia Deliz, five, wins the Ventura County Summer Fun Beauty Pageant

  • Prom power couples

    Veronika, Tiffany and Tiffany’s date Michael, who was late because his hair “took long”, en route to the Crenshaw prom at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California.
    Prom power couples Veronika, Tiffany and Tiffany’s date Michael, who was late because his hair “took long”, en route to the Crenshaw prom at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California.

  • Caviar for Christmas breakfast

    Named Versailles, this is the Florida residence of David Siegel, who made his fortune in timeshare homes, and his wife Jackie. The couple set out to build the largest home in the US. It is Christmas morning and Jackie, seated left, is eating caviar.
    Siegel family open presents Christmas morning.
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