Shamans on private jets, $100,000 scented candles, and 27-hour work days: Inside the life of a billionaire estate manager

What is it like to choreograph the lives of the worlds 0.1%? Gentleman's Journal meets the string-pullers at the centre of the billionaire universe

Words by: Harry Shukman

What on earth is happening with Liechtenstein’s royal family?

Members - 20 September 2026

8 things you need to know about Vy Capital, the secretive VC behind Elon Musk

Members - 20 September 2026

Meet Peter Dubens, the billionaire betting on Britain finally winning the America’s Cup

Shamans on private jets, $100,000 scented candles, and 27-hour work days: Inside the life of a billionaire estate manager

What is it like to choreograph the lives of the worlds 0.1%? Gentleman's Journal meets the string-pullers at the centre of the billionaire universe

Words by: Harry Shukman

The Batman movies are thoroughly misleading for one important reason. It’s not the main character’s nocturnal habit of kneecapping petty crooks that stretches credulity — but the roles and responsibilities of his butler sidekick. In the recent trilogy, Alfred, played by Michael Caine, is seen performing the duties of chef, chauffeur, cleaner, nanny, therapist, life coach, executive assistant, travel agent, property developer, IT troubleshooter, private doctor, PR agent, international smuggler and criminal underworld expert. This elderly man does all of these highly-skilled tasks on his own, 24 hours a day, without rest. And they say Christopher Nolan’s superhero films were grittily authentic.

What on earth is happening with Liechtenstein’s royal family?

Members - 20 September 2026

8 things you need to know about Vy Capital, the secretive VC behind Elon Musk

Members - 20 September 2026

Meet Peter Dubens, the billionaire betting on Britain finally winning the America’s Cup

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Issue NO. 51 Winter Issue 26

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Discover the perks of being a member

	Clubhouse Membership
Two Magazines per yearDelivered to your door
Full Access to Paywall contentAccess to all member-only online features
Membership Cardto redeem all the perks.
Members Invites to Exclusive Eventsto private Clubhouse events
Weekly newsletter Straight to your inbox
	1 year ~~£59.99~~ £39.99 Equivalent to £3.33/month

For more information please email subscriptions@thegentlemansjournal.com

Current Issue

Issue NO. 51 Winter Issue 26

Shamans on private jets, $100,000 scented candles, and 27-hour work days: Inside the life of a billionaire estate manager

Further reading

What on earth is happening with Liechtenstein’s royal family?

8 things you need to know about Vy Capital, the secretive VC behind Elon Musk

Meet Peter Dubens, the billionaire betting on Britain finally winning the America’s Cup

Shamans on private jets, $100,000 scented candles, and 27-hour work days: Inside the life of a billionaire estate manager

Further reading

What on earth is happening with Liechtenstein’s royal family?

8 things you need to know about Vy Capital, the secretive VC behind Elon Musk

Meet Peter Dubens, the billionaire betting on Britain finally winning the America’s Cup

Shamans on private jets, $100,000 scented candles, and 27-hour work days: Inside the life of a billionaire estate manager

Further reading

What on earth is happening with Liechtenstein’s royal family?

8 things you need to know about Vy Capital, the secretive VC behind Elon Musk

Meet Peter Dubens, the billionaire betting on Britain finally winning the America’s Cup

Become a Subscriber

Become a Subscriber