‘It is hard to give away billions of dollars’: Florida billionaire spends $40 million on a Ferrari — says it’s part of his philanthropy plan

“It will not be my personal car to go to Publix to get bananas,” Dr. Wertheim, told the Wall Street Journal.

According to Sotheby’s, the massive price tag makes the Ferrari Luce the most expensive new car ever sold at auction.

The car’s glass-roof design was mocked by some Ferrari fans when it was first unveiled in May, with some even calling it ugly. The luxury car maker saw its stock drop 8% following the anticipated reveal, wiping out more than $5 billion from its market cap.

But for Wertheim, a billionaire famous for his eccentric style and bright colored clothes, the public disapproval wasn’t an issue.

From optometry to a billion-dollar business

The 87-year-old is an optometrist and physician by profession but founded Brain Power, a company that develops technology for the eyewear industry. The Miami-based company is the world’s largest manufacturer of several vital optometry products, including cosmetic and therapeutic tints for eyeglass lenses.

He’s also made a reputation for his successful stock picks. He told the Wall Street Journal his stocks were up 40% this year.

Wertheim estimates his net worth is between $5 billion to 7$ billion and he’s no stranger to expensive purchases. According to the Wall Street Journal, he bought a Palm Beach home for $38 million in 2024 — less than he spent on the Ferrari Luce.

Despite the mind-blowing price of the electric car, the amount he paid for it is just a fraction of his net worth, between 0.6% and 0.8%.

And he told the Wall Street Journal, the Ferrari isn’t even the most expensive thing he owns. Six months ago, he bought another Florida home for roughly $65 million.

Wertheim’s philanthropic plan

Despite his spending habits, Wertheim is known for his generosity to charitable organizations and plans to dispense his vast fortune.