17 Celebrities Who Live In Florida

Introduction

In this article, we go geographically beyond South Florida, which embraces Palm Beach County and Miami Beach. We’ll highlight seventeen celebrities who live in Florida - anywhere in the Sunshine State where they can lead exclusive private lives. Please note they are only a few of many celebrities, we don’t mention (possibly in future articles) other celebrities who spend significant time here but don’t count it as their primary residence. We’ll show how this group has contributed to the vibrant culture that has elevated Florida to top the list of all US states as a place to settle. 

Say “South Florida” - a beautiful part of the Sunshine State - and iconic destinations such as Biscayne Bay, Hillsboro Mile, Palm Beach County (where the late billionaire entertainer Jimmy Buffett lived), and Miami Florida jump to mind. Now, add the topic of celebs who love to live in Florida, and it opens a treasure trove of luxurious lifestyle visions. The latter matches anything discovered in an iconic New York City, Hollywood Hills (California), or the world. 

1. Tom Brady - Indian Creek Island

Contrary to the rumor that Tom Brady and his ex-wife, supermodel Gisele Bundchen (married between 2009 and 2022), lived in Tampa, Florida, it’s not the case. The couple resided in rental home in Davis Islands, but ultimately settled in a $17 million mansion on Indian Creek Island in Biscayne Bay, that many call "Billionaire's Bunker."

Widely regarded as the country’s GOAT (greatest of all time) footbal quarterback, Tom ended his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a two-year $50 million contract - probably why the rumor started. He immediately entered a mega-million dollar commentator contract extended over future years, marking the pair (although unmarried) as a super-couple. The 42-year-old Bundchen, one of the highest-paid models universally, has earned independent fame and fortune via her Victoria's Secret contract, recognized penmanship, and renowned efforts as an environmental activist.

2. Donald Trump - Palm Beach

Donald Trump is not only the most prominent billionaire to live in Florida, he’s arguably the most recognizable world celebrity. No stranger to controversy, Mister Trump seems to thrive on it. With several court actions piling up and running a presidential campaign to run again in 2024, nothing seems to phase his resolve as he secludes himself with close family in Mar-a-Lago - a one-of-a-kind waterfront estate property.

The latter is the primary residence of Donald and Melania Trump (previously New York), and even this is in dispute. Why? Based on the Trumps signing a "use agreement" with the town of Palm Beach, Florida in 1993, the latter effectively converted the compound’s single-family residence status to a private club where inhabitants can’t stay longer than three non-consecutive weeks per year. So far, that hasn’t disrupted the celebrity couple from ignoring the rules and calling Mar-a-Lago in Florida home.  

3. Tiger Woods - Jupiter Island

Tiger Woods is one of the most famous people you could ever wish to meet, living in a Jupiter Island Florida mansion - an exclusive $54 million estate with water east and west of it - containing everything an exclusive country club offers its members, including four customized golf course fairways fashioned from Tiger’s experience playing the most challenging tracks internationally and domestically. Most fans agree that Tiger Woods is one of the two greatest golfers ever - with fifteen majors under his belt - a few less than Jack Nicklaus (but in a far more competitive era)

4. Serena Williams - Jupiter

After starting as a Florida resident in a Palm Beach Gardens house with her sister Venus (also featured in our list), Serena Williams acquired a Jupiter mansion in the Pennock Point community with stunning water outlooks close to her parents in the same neighborhood. Retired from tennis (#1 Women's Tennis Association), Serena Williams' next venture is anyone’s guess, but she handed this house to V Starr - A Venus-initiated world-class modern designer company. The latter delivered a breathtaking minimalist vision worthy of a mainstream feature in Architectural Digest. 

5. Ivanka Trump - Indian Creek

Ivanka and hubby Jared Kushner have settled in Indian Creek Island, in the same hood as the Brady family (see 2 above) - in a $24 million Spanish Mediterranean abode. The couple has been relatively tranquil since the election, staying far from the roving laser beam that won’t remove Donald and his post-presidency activities from the spotlight. One thing they know a lot about, and that’s property. So, we’ve no doubt their investment value will accelerate. 

6. Shaquille O’Neal

Better known as "Shaq," the retired iconic basketball player doesn’t technically qualify for this list because he has migrated to Texas. However, his long-term tenure as a Floridian and the grand homes he has resided in make Shaq a notable contributor to the state's celebrity framework that aligns with glamor and affluence. He sold his last Florida home in the exclusive Isleworth Golf & CC (Windermere, Orange County) for $11 million - the region’s highest single-family price.

The 12-bedroom and 15-bathroom house (35,000 total square feet, including an indoor basketball court, on nearly four acres) initially went on the MLS at $28 million (in 2018), then reduced to $16 million. So, Shaq finally settled at less than 50% of his original target. So, was he disappointed? Perhaps not, considering he bought it for under $4 million before renovations in the 1990s. 

7. Jennifer Lopez - Star Island

JLO, like many celebrities, moves around. The last paparazzi observation has her on the west coast in Pacific Palisades, California, cohabiting another mega-residence with Ben Affleck (following a split engagement in 2004).

However, Jennifer earned her place on the Floridian celeb list via a much-publicized, now-off relationship with baseball legend Alex Rodriguez (AROD). JLO and AROD still co-own their stunning waterfront access retreat in Star Island, Miami - a $32 million acquisition in 2020 featuring ten bedrooms-en-suite with one-half bathroom, a tennis court, and breathtaking ocean views. 

8. Bill Gates - Wellington

Microsoft founder Bill Gates, once the wealthiest man in the world and still in the top five or so, doesn’t live in Florida permanently. Indeed, he joined the Wellington horsey set in 2013 with the $8.7 million acquisition of an estate property in Mallet Hill providing a 7,234-square-foot under-air - four bedrooms plus four full- and two half-bathrooms. The abode is low-tech versus the family’s Lake Washington smart-home enclave covering five acres. Still, with similar acreage, it has a 20-stall barn and a show-jumping arena, visualized as a winter haven to support his daughter’s equestrian lifestyle. 

9. Michael Saylor - Miami Beach

Michael Saylor - founder of public company MicroStrategy (MSTR) - built his fortune by providing extraordinary business intelligence plus cloud-based services and integrating his wealth with bitcoin crypto investments (valued at around $3 billion). A public figure since the volatile Dot Com era and an MIT graduate, Michael has earned a playboy reputation, enhanced by purchasing a waterfront Miami Beach home with private boat dock for $13.1 million in 2014 - 18,000-square-foot under-air - 13 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms.

10. Gloria Estefan - Star Island

Gloria Estefan and her hubby Emilio Estefan leave no doubt they call Florida home. Why? They've owned their home on Star Island since 1986 near the JLO/AROD residence but not on the same street.

In addition, the power music couple has built a portfolio of property throughout the neighborhood, including their principal mansion for $600,000 - currently valued at $25 million. The 1959 structure on nearly two acres, providing six-bedroom/11-bathroom accommodations, delivers mind-boggling water views from the banks of the Intracoastal lagoons surrounding the enclave.

11. Flo Rida - Hialeah

Even if this american rapper - born in Carol City as Tramar Lacel Dillard on September 17, 1979 - lived permanently in Timbuktu, you’d have to include him as a Florida celeb. Why? First off, putting his stage name together (Flo-Rida) says it all. It’s no accident because he was born and raised in Miami Gardens, one of the state’s popular cities, a community he continues to support financially - a remembrance of severely poor beginnings. Pinpointing his current residency is challenging, although he seems to own luxury real estate in the Sunshine State. Still, it probably competes with other luxury locations on the Californian west coast. 

12. Venus Williams - Hobe Sound

The older Williams sister and an incredible competitor with seven major titles, only Serena Williams has achieved more in the modern tennis era of the women’s game. Not officially retired from the tour but distinctly inactive, her energy these days goes into V Starr, her modern design company.

She has a nearly $100 million net worth and is a writer and entrepreneur on many levels. Venus recently acquired an oceanside estate property on Jupiter Island, Florida - 10,700 square feet with two guest sections adjacent to the main house on 1.5 acres.

13. Emeril Lagasse - Florida Panhandle

The celebrity chef decided to spend $7.4 million for his home in the gated Burnt Pine project in Miramar Beach in the northwest region of Florida—with a vision of enhancing the kitchen space around premium Avant-Garde finishes and an indoor-outdoor setup.

Outstanding features include an expansive wine room with a massive bottle capacity, a custom-built pizza oven, and an updated La Cornue range with high-end European appliances. Underlining it all is the magnificent fairway views from every vantage point of the 8,000 square feet accommodations and the sense of privacy enjoyed by the residents.

14. John Travolta - Ocala

John Travolta has lived in Florida, since 1990, where he settled down with his late-wife Kelly Preston on the exclusive Jumbolair Aviation Estates - an expansive aeronautic gated community made for horse breeding.

Today, John Travolta shares the 10 million dollar Jumbolair residence with his two daughters in a 7,600-square-foot mansion (five bedrooms/five bathrooms) with a 3,600-foot runway plus hangars and facilities to park his airplanes (including a Boeing 707) in the backyard next to a stunning garden and a heated swimming pool.

15. John Cena - Tampa

Sixteen-time world WWE wrestler champion and still part-time in the sport, Cena has emerged as a Hollywood, California celeb, earning millions from various ventures and merchandise endorsements. Cena resides with his wife, Shay Shariatzadeh, in a $4 million estate in the Nature's Reserve deveopment located in Land O'Lakes, a Tampa Bay, Florida suburb - recently displayed in the reality show Total Bellas. A multi-car garage containing numerous exotic models is only one feature of an impressively palatial spread.

16. DJ Khaled - Indian Creek

A beloved figure, radio host, hip hop record producer, and disc jockey, DJ resides in the same exclusive suburb as John Brady and Ivanka Trump (i.e., Indian Creek). He lives in a nearly 13,000-square-foot mansion with 105 feet of waterfront - listed as a Pine Tree Drive, Miami Beach address - valued at around $26 million. The residence features nine bedrooms (across the central and guesthouse), an inviting gazebo, a home theater, an elevator, and a resort-style heated pool (with an expansive sundeck).

17. Dwayne Johnson - Southwest Ranches

Like John Cena, Dwayne Johnson is an ex-professional wrestler (and University of Miami football player) and arguably the most in-demand actor in the US today. He claims Beverly Hills as his primary residence but owns several Florida properties and mansions.

Dwayne The Rock Johnson recently sold a luxurious $3.4 million farm property (13,153-square-foot) with expansive accommodations and amenities - five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a swimming pool, a summer kitchen, 6-vehicle carports, and a 14-seat home theater. The one he replaced it with was a sprawling $4.5 million house of similar size in Southwest Ranches, Broward County. A unique feature of this home is a $300,000 high-tech private fitness center configured to The Rock’s precise specifications.

Conclusion

So there you have it but remember: The Florida glamor train is never-ending. It carries scores of other celebrities deserving of a place in this and follow-up articles. For example, did you know Cher lives palatially on La Gorce Island, and Pitbull resides like a king in Key Largo? Or that the late Jerry Springer lived for 20 years in Bird Key Sarasota before his death? And how about died-in-the-wool Floridians like:

• Derek Jeter - famously a five-star New York Yankee - later to become a Miami Marlins co-owner.
• Tim Tebow - a Heisman Trophy recipient - who unfortunately couldn’t follow up with a sustainable NFL career.
• Elle Macpherson, (Judge) Judy Sheindlin, and Julio Iglesias.

Each of the above reflects a fascinating tale behind their climb to the top. We could fill pages and pages of gorgeous homes with six bedrooms, expansive white sand beaches steps from mansion backyards, and routine Bitcoin crypto investments as extraordinary Florida lifestyle cutouts. In addition, we have the inside scoop on multi-acre family estate properties lining gated country club fairways, an eye-popping ultra-modern beach house, and a ranch property with its own airstrip in Wellington, Florida - all glittering pieces of the same fascinating kaleidoscope. So watch this space! We’ll be bringing you more star-studded Sunshine State insights shortly.