Star Power: Which Celebrities Actually Call Florida Home?
Luana B. Gann, Editor
6/24/2026
Celebrities Who Live in Florida Year-Round
Quick Answer: Florida is home to a remarkable concentration of A-list celebrities, athletes, and entertainers year-round — not just snowbirds passing through. Tiger Woods, Jeff Bezos, Sylvester Stallone, Shakira, Gloria Estefan, Howard Stern, and Lionel Messi are among dozens who have made the Sunshine State their primary address, drawn by no state income tax, world-class waterfront properties, and a lifestyle that genuinely doesn't require a January escape plan.
In This Article
Indian Creek Island: The "Billionaire Bunker" of Miami
Palm Beach: Where Old Money Meets New Famous
Miami and South Florida's Entertainment Royalty
Athletes Who Traded Stadiums for Sunshine
Beyond South Florida: Tampa, the Gulf Coast, and Beyond
Year-Round Residents vs. Part-Time Visitors — How to Tell the Difference
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Florida? The Real Reasons Celebrities Are Leaving New York and California
Let's get the elephant out of the room: Florida has no state income tax. For someone earning $50 million a year, that's not a trivial detail — it's a life-altering financial decision. But if celebrities were only chasing tax savings, they'd be moving to Wyoming, and Wyoming is not exactly crawling with movie stars.
Florida offers something else: a genuine lifestyle. Waterfront properties that would cost three times as much in Southern California. Year-round warmth that doesn't feel like a vacation but like an actual place to live. World-class boating, golf, fishing, and dining without the paparazzi density of Beverly Hills or the restaurant-reservation warfare of Manhattan.
There's also privacy — something you genuinely can find in Florida if you know where to look. Gated communities here are exceptionally private. Some, like Indian Creek Island, have their own police forces. Others have private waterways and boat access only. For celebrities who are exhausted by the Los Angeles fishbowl, Florida's version of "semi-public life" feels like a genuine reprieve.
The migration wave accelerated hard during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. When remote work normalized and entertainment industry connections went digital, the question for many wealthy celebrities became simple: Why am I still paying California state taxes? Hundreds of millions of dollars in personal savings later, Florida is having a sustained cultural moment — and it doesn't look like it's ending anytime soon.
📍 The Numbers Behind the Migration Florida has ranked as a top destination for high-net-worth relocations every year since 2020. According to SmartAsset's annual migration studies, Florida consistently captures more millionaire transplants than any other state — not just celebrities, but executives, entrepreneurs, and finance professionals following the same math. South Florida ZIP codes now rank among the top destinations for wealth migration in the United States.
ID 188530189 © Ali87cat | Dreamstime.com
Indian Creek Island: The "Billionaire Bunker" of Miami
If you want to understand Florida's celebrity real estate scene, you have to start with Indian Creek Island — a 294-acre private island in Miami-Dade County that most Floridians have never set foot on and never will. It has its own village government, its own police force, its own golf course, and exactly 34 residential lots. Invite-only doesn't begin to cover it.
The island's nicknames include "Billionaire Bunker" and "The Bunker" — and for good reason. Mark Zuckerberg purchased a property there for a reported $170 million, making it one of the most expensive residential real estate transactions in Florida history. Tom Brady completed construction of his custom estate on the island — a project that was estimated at $150 million — making it one of the most-watched celebrity builds in the state. The island's residents also include tech investors, hedge fund managers, and enough concentrated wealth per square foot to make even South Beach feel modest.
The appeal isn't just financial. Indian Creek Island offers something rare in South Florida: genuine seclusion inside one of the world's most vibrant metro areas. Residents can boat to Miami's best restaurants, enjoy world-class access to Biscayne Bay, and then return to a street with a guard booth that politely ensures nobody follows them home.
Palm Beach: Where Old Money Meets New Famous
Palm Beach has been a playground for the wealthy since Henry Flagler built the Royal Poinciana Hotel there in 1894. It's comfortable with fame in the way that only very old money can be — mildly unbothered by it. The island's culture is refined, reserved, and quietly spectacular.
Howard Stern, the longtime shock-jock turned surprisingly thoughtful interviewer, purchased a substantial oceanfront estate in Palm Beach, trading his Hamptons lifestyle for Florida's year-round sun. Friends and colleagues have described the move as more permanent than seasonal — Stern has established real roots in the community.
Sylvester Stallone made one of the most talked-about celebrity relocations of recent years when he officially left California behind for Palm Beach County. In a September 2025 interview, Stallone was direct about why: "Clean air, near the water — it just fits better." His Palm Beach estate is reported to be among the most impressive private properties in the county. He brought his wife Jennifer Flavin and their family along, and by all accounts the move is complete and permanent.
Judge Judy Sheindlin — arguably the most successful television judge in history — has maintained a Florida home for years and rebuilt her presence in the state after Hurricane Ian. She's as Florida as Judy gets.
Guy Fieri, the mayor of Flavortown and America's most recognizable food-show host, invested in a waterfront estate in West Palm Beach, expanding his culinary empire while enjoying the kind of waterfront lifestyle that's simply out of reach in most of the country.
ID 188530189 © Ali87cat | Dreamstime.com
Indian Creek and Palm Beach: Where the Serious Money Settles
Not all of Florida's wealth migration ends up in the same zip code, and understanding the geography helps explain the dynamics.
Indian Creek Island — In Biscayne Bay, connected to the Miami mainland by a single private bridge, Indian Creek Island hosts approximately 30 homes on 294 acres. It has its own incorporated village government, its own police force that patrols by boat and on land, and a resident roster that currently includes Bezos, Zuckerberg, and some of the most recognizable names in global finance. Properties rarely come to market. When they do, transaction prices are measured in nine figures. It is the physical embodiment of a simple idea: when you have enough money, you buy your privacy rather than hoping for it.
Palm Beach — The island city across the Intracoastal from West Palm Beach has functioned as America's preeminent wealth enclave for over a century, dating to Henry Flagler's railroad empire. What is new is the acceleration. Ken Griffin's Palm Beach purchase, Trump's permanent presence, and a parade of hedge fund and private equity names establishing Florida residency have pushed Palm Beach real estate into price territory that was unimaginable a decade ago. The community's tight residential zoning and strict regulations — Palm Beach has its own set of governance norms that Florida Current readers familiar with HOA culture would recognize — have preserved its character even as prices have soared.
Fort Lauderdale — As covered in our piece on Fort Lauderdale as the Boating Capital of the World, the city's waterway infrastructure and yachting culture have made it a natural landing point for wealth that values maritime access over the social visibility of Miami. Fort Lauderdale's downtown development authority describes the wealth there as "active, global, highly productive — it just doesn't feel the need to announce itself." That discretion is increasingly a selling point as Miami's profile rises.
Miami and South Florida's Entertainment Royalty
Miami has always had its own celebrity culture — one that's more Latin, more global, more musically driven than the Hollywood machine up the coast in Los Angeles. And unlike the transient celebrity population of Beverly Hills, Miami's entertainment royalty tends to actually live there.
Gloria Estefan is the gold standard. She and husband Emilio Estefan have been Miami fixtures for decades — Gloria has lived on Star Island in Biscayne Bay since the 1990s. She is woven into Miami's cultural fabric in a way that few celebrities achieve anywhere. Her Estefan Enterprises helped shape the sound and business of Latin music across multiple generations, all from Miami.
Pitbull — born Armando Christian Pérez in Miami in 1981 — never really left. He's been one of Miami's most prominent cultural ambassadors for his entire career, and his Miami connection is genuine, deep, and decidedly year-round. When he shouts "Miami" in a song, it's not a performance. It's a home address.
Shakira made a high-profile move to Miami in 2023 following her very public separation from soccer star Gerard Piqué in Spain. She chose Miami for its vibrancy, its Latin culture, and its ability to offer a meaningful connection to her roots — the Miami Herald noted her arrival as a genuine cultural milestone for the city, not just a celebrity relocation story.
Enrique Iglesias grew up in Miami and has maintained deep ties to the city throughout his career. His Miami presence is a constant — the city is embedded in his music, his collaborations, and his personal life.
Jeff Bezos officially changed his domicile from Seattle to Miami, purchasing multiple properties worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The move was motivated by a combination of family (his parents live nearby), his aerospace ventures in Florida, and — let's be honest — one of the most consequential financial decisions in American history. Florida's absence of state income tax, combined with Bezos's net worth, represents generational savings.
🌟 Star Island: Miami's Most Famous Address Indian Creek isn't the only celebrity enclave in Miami waters. Star Island — a man-made island in Biscayne Bay — has been home to Gloria Estefan, Shaquille O'Neal, and a rotating roster of A-listers for decades. It's gated, private, and fiercely residential. Unlike some celebrity enclaves, Star Island actually feels like a neighborhood — a very, very exclusive one.
ID 41658307 © Laurence Agron | Dreamstime.com
Athletes Who Traded Stadiums for Sunshine
Florida may be the single greatest state in America for retired athletes. Golf is year-round. Deep-sea fishing is world-class. The waterways are extraordinary. And the privacy available to former sports superstars here is genuinely difficult to replicate elsewhere.
Tiger Woods has lived on Jupiter Island — one of Florida's most exclusive barrier island communities — since approximately 2004. His estate spans multiple lots and includes his own private putting green and workout facility. He later developed his own golf course nearby (The Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound is where he's a member), and his Jupiter Island compound is about as permanent a Florida address as any celebrity on this list. Tiger is Florida in a way that's almost taken for granted at this point.
Serena Williams made Palm Beach County her home base, a choice that aligns with both her family life and her business interests. She has been deeply involved in investing and entrepreneurship from her Florida base.
Lionel Messi — the greatest soccer player of his generation — moved to Fort Lauderdale after joining Inter Miami CF, purchasing a waterfront mansion that reflects his global superstar status. His presence in South Florida transformed Inter Miami from a regional sports story into an international event. Inter Miami CF's DRV PNK Stadium became one of the hardest tickets to get in American sports the moment Messi stepped on the pitch.
David Beckham, who co-owns Inter Miami, maintains a Miami condo and has been deeply engaged in building the club's new stadium project. While Beckham divides time internationally, his Miami investment is substantial and his presence in the city is consistent.
Florida has produced some extraordinary athletic talent of its own — see our article on famous Floridians who changed their sports forever.
Beyond South Florida: Tampa, the Gulf Coast, and Beyond
South Florida gets most of the headlines, but celebrity Florida extends well up both coasts.
Tom Brady became synonymous with Tampa when he led the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl title in February 2021. Even after his retirement, his Florida connection remained strong through his Indian Creek Island property. The Tampa Bay area, for its part, gained enormous cultural momentum from his years there — and the city's sports culture was never quite the same after hosting that Super Bowl on home soil.
The Gulf Coast — Naples, Sarasota, Marco Island — attracts a quieter class of celebrity. The kind who want a boat, a dock, a golf membership, and zero photographers. These communities are some of Florida's most genuinely private, and they attract serious money that simply doesn't seek attention.
🎵 Florida's Long History of Celebrity Residents This isn't new. Ernest Hemingway lived in Key West from 1931 to 1939 and did some of his most important writing there — his home is now a museum and one of Florida's most visited literary landmarks. Thomas Edison and Henry Ford wintered in Fort Myers for decades. Florida has been drawing remarkable people since before it was fashionable — it's just that the current wave has Instagram accounts.
Year-Round Residents vs. Part-Time Visitors — How to Tell the Difference
This matters if you're curious about who's actually here versus who just owns a vacation property. The distinction in Florida law is actually meaningful: to claim Florida as your primary residence and access Florida's homestead exemption (more on that in a moment), you must establish domicile — meaning you live here more than six months a year and have the paperwork to prove it.
True year-round Florida celebrity residents have typically:
Established Florida domicile — changing their legal state of residence for tax and voting purposes
Sold or significantly reduced their California or New York real estate footprint
Put down community roots — school enrollments, local charity involvement, business investments in Florida
Made direct public statements about the permanence of their move
Jeff Bezos checked all four boxes explicitly. Sylvester Stallone has made his move very clear in multiple interviews. Tiger Woods has been a Jupiter Island fixture for over two decades with no signs of leaving. Gloria Estefan is Star Island — period.
Others, like some athletes who maintain both a primary and a secondary residence, are more accurately described as "frequent Florida residents" — here for a substantial portion of the year, but not fully committed to a single Florida address.
Celebrity - Florida Location - Known For - Residency Status
Tiger Woods
Jupiter Island
Golf legend
Primary — has lived here since ~2004
Jeff Bezos
Miami
Amazon founder
Primary — officially changed domicile from Seattle
Gloria Estefan
Star Island, Miami
Music icon, Miami Sound Machine
Primary — lifelong Miami resident
Sylvester Stallone
Palm Beach area
Rocky, Rambo
Primary — full California exit completed 2024–25
Howard Stern
Palm Beach
Radio host
Primary — moved from Hamptons
Shakira
Miami
Global pop star
Primary — relocated from Spain in 2023
Lionel Messi
Fort Lauderdale
Soccer — Inter Miami CF
Primary — waterfront residence established 2023
Mark Zuckerberg
Indian Creek Island, Miami
Meta/Facebook founder
Primary — $170M estate purchase
Mark Wahlberg
Delray Beach
Actor, producer
Primary — $37M estate, moved from California
Pitbull
Miami
Rapper, entrepreneur
Native — born and raised in Miami, never left
Famous Floridians FAQ
Which celebrity has lived in Florida the longest? Gloria Estefan has been a Miami resident since the 1970s, making her one of Florida's longest-tenured celebrity residents by a significant margin. Tiger Woods has maintained his Jupiter Island compound since approximately 2004 — also an exceptionally long run. Both are genuinely woven into their communities, not just property owners who drop in occasionally.
Does Tiger Woods actually live in Florida full time? Yes. Tiger Woods has made Jupiter Island his primary residence since around 2004. His compound on the island spans several lots, includes private training and golf facilities, and represents a genuine long-term commitment to Florida living. Jupiter Island — a barrier island town of fewer than 1,000 residents — is one of the most private residential communities in the state.
Why did so many celebrities move to Florida from California? The combination of Florida's zero state income tax, California's high income tax (up to 13.3% on top earners), COVID-era normalization of remote work, and the availability of exceptional waterfront estates created a powerful incentive for celebrities earning tens of millions annually. For many, the financial benefit was measured in tens of millions of dollars per year. The lifestyle — year-round outdoor living, world-class boating, and genuine privacy — made the decision easier.
What is Indian Creek Island, and why do celebrities live there? Indian Creek Island is a 294-acre private island in Miami-Dade County with only 34 residential lots, its own village government, and its own police force. It is consistently ranked among the most exclusive residential addresses in the United States. Current and recent residents include Mark Zuckerberg and Tom Brady. The combination of absolute privacy, extraordinary Biscayne Bay access, and proximity to Miami makes it the ultimate South Florida address for those who can access it.
Do celebrities in Florida pay less in taxes? Florida has no state income tax, which is the single most significant financial draw for high-income earners. A celebrity earning $30 million per year who moves from California to Florida saves roughly $3.9 to $4 million annually in state income taxes alone. Over a decade, that's a generational fortune — and it doesn't require giving up beaches, warmth, or waterfront property.
Is Shakira a permanent Florida resident? Shakira relocated to Miami in 2023 following her separation from Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué and established Miami as her primary residence. She has been active in the Miami community and has spoken publicly about her connection to the city's Latin culture and vibrant energy. As of 2026, Miami remains her home base.
Are there celebrities living in Florida outside of Miami and Palm Beach? Yes — though South Florida dominates the headlines. Tampa Bay has a strong celebrity presence, particularly tied to its sports culture. The Gulf Coast communities of Naples, Sarasota, and Marco Island attract very wealthy residents who specifically seek less visibility than Miami or Palm Beach provides. Jupiter and Hobe Sound on the Treasure Coast are home to a number of high-profile athletes and entertainers who value the area's quieter character.
Sources
Business Insider — 15 Celebs Who Moved to Florida and Why They Love It There (updated January 2026)
New York Post — Sylvester Stallone Praises Florida as He Ditches Hollywood (September 2025)
Pearl Antonacci Group — Celebrities Living in South Florida: The A-List Homes Reshaping Luxury Real Estate
SmartAsset — Cities Millionaires Are Moving To, 2025 Edition
Gray Line Miami — Famous Celebrities from Miami (updated 2026)
The Telchin Group — Celebrities Who Call Palm Beach County Home
Yahoo Entertainment — Celebs Who Live in Florida: Bethenny Frankel, Sylvester Stallone and More
Indian Creek Village official site: indiancreekisland.org
Recommended Reading
Information current as of June 2026.
Florida Current covers weather, lifestyle, outdoor life, and everything that comes with living in the Sunshine State. Browse our Florida Living section for regional guides, seasonal activity calendars, retirement guides and practical advice from people who actually live here.
Florida native Luana B. Gann brings more than 30 years of publishing, editing, and journalism experience to Florida Current. With a deep appreciation for the Sunshine State's culture, lifestyle, and ever-changing landscape, she is dedicated to helping readers discover what's new, noteworthy, and uniquely Florida.
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