Clean Energy Billionaire Parts With His $78M Outrageously Lavish Superyacht

Amels, one of the most acclaimed superyacht builders in the world, delivered this 68.5-meter (224 feet) full-custom beauty in 2006 under the name of Lady Anne. At some point, it changed hands and was renamed Lady S. In 2018, it was sold once again and changed its name to Lady E. It would be a turning point for the Dutch vessel. Its new owner decided to make it even more spectacular than it already was, and he turned it into what it is today.

When David Russell reportedly bought it, Lady S was one of the most stunning luxury yachts in operation. The Captain himself, Charles DuGas-Standish, stated that Lady S was "one of the leading charter yachts globally."

Lady S was a massive pleasure craft with a steel hull and aluminum superstructure, built for an extensive range of 5,500 nautical miles (10,000 km) and a top speed of more than 17 knots (31.4 kph). The awe-inspiring five-decker could accommodate up to 12 guests and a large 20-person crew. Both the exterior and interior were designed by Walter Franchini, with a marked modernist art inspiration. The yacht's naval architecture came from the acclaimed Damen Yachting, Amels' parent company.

On board, the bespoke beauty flaunted only the best in terms of décor, furniture, and amenities. Hermes, Lalique, and Baccarat provided most of the exquisite accessories. Precious pieces of cashmere were supplied by Loro Piana. All six staterooms featured Hermes fabrics and décor items. The gaming room offered not only the latest game consoles but also traditional hand-crafted board games. Throughout, guests could admire original artwork by Chagall and Frankenthaler.

Still, this was too little for the new owner. A discrete billionaire, David Russell built his fortune as CEO of Asia's largest renewable energy developer. The former Australian banker had become a successful clean energy investor in the Asia-Pacific region and was willing to invest a small fortune in the Lady S superyacht. Not only did he pay tens of millions for it, but he soon sent it to the UK for a major refit.

Pendennis, one of the top refit shipyards, was in charge of the freshly renamed Lady E's makeover. The already massive yacht got a six-meter (19.6 feet) stern extension, becoming a 244-footer (74.5 meters). The extension had several benefits. On the outside, it made the vessel look more modern and balanced. The aft main deck gained 55 extra square meters (nearly 600 square feet), which meant additional sunbathing space and ample seating, all with spectacular uninterrupted views.

Lady E also sported a brand-new beach club on the lower deck. It was a stunning 66-square meter (710 square feet) area with a wider transom door and a full-beam swim platform. Far from a simple sea-level setup for swimming and access to the water toys, this fabulous beach boasted oversized windows on both sides plus big skylights and housed a spacious lounge with a fancy bar and a huge 77" TV screen.

Following the refit, Lady E also sported one of the most extravagant sundecks in the world of superyachts. An enormous 11,000-liter (2,905 gallons) heated swimming pool took center stage. It was also a whirlpool dip pool with swim jets, which meant that it could be used for a serious workout. The huge, repainted swimming pool was surrounded by a spacious sunbathing area. The sundeck also housed a large indoor/outdoor lounge with retractable glass screens.

More importantly, the same deck revealed a stunning wellness center. Instead of a simple sauna, Lady E pampered its guests with a vast spa that included a massage/beauty room, a Turkish hammam/steam room, and a state-of-the-art climate-controlled gym. LED stars integrated into the ceiling made the sauna experience even more luxurious, and during cruises, guests were guided by a dedicated "spa manager" and a beauty therapist.

The new high-end wellness center, designed by Exclusive Living, was created through the transformation of the upper galley and pantry. Lady E offered numerous options for al-fresco dining, and its vast main salon doubled as an ultra-comfortable cinema room.

In terms of accommodation, the main deck housed the full-beam master suite and a VIP stateroom. The enormous master suite came with a separate office area that doubled as a classic library, walk-in wardrobes, and separate ultra-luxurious bathrooms, one of which was fitted with a private jacuzzi. The other four cabins were all located on the lower deck and ensured a family-friendly configuration.

The revamped Lady E was also modernized in terms of entertainment. The visual and sound upgrades included huge TV screens across all the guest areas and a nightclub setup (with a complementary lighting system). Plus, all guests had access to an interface that was redesigned using a bespoke platform for the yacht.

The yacht's engines and all major systems were either overhauled or replaced. It was also equipped with a couple of green features, just enough to comply with the existing harsher regulations. But Lady E is hardly eco-aware or modest. In addition to its extravagant amenities, the massive pleasure craft doesn't shy away from globetrotting – it burns huge amounts of fuel to support a massive 6,700-nautical mile (12,400 km) range.

One week onboard this floating palace costs at least $665,000. A new lucky owner will enjoy the freedom of spending as much time onboard as he wishes. Lady E was recently sold in an in-house deal after asking for €71,5 million ($78 million). The billionaire energy tycoon probably got more than what he initially paid for, considering that Lady E is now much bigger and more luxurious. Either way, this gorgeous 2006 Amels remains one of the most sophisticated superyachts today.