{"id":526989,"date":"2025-03-19T09:25:08","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T22:25:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/?p=526989"},"modified":"2025-03-19T13:20:30","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T02:20:30","slug":"worlds-first-superyacht","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/luxury-lifestyle\/worlds-first-superyacht","title":{"rendered":"The World&#8217;s First Superyacht That Hosted Churchill And John Kennedy Is On Sale For A Small Fortune"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>The world\u2019s first superyacht, <em>Christina O<\/em>, is a 325-ft masterpiece and was once a WWII warship.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Hosted the most influential figures of the 20th century, from Winston Churchill to John F. Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, and Frank Sinatra.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Now back on the market with a $95 million USD (~$150 million AUD) price tag, blending history and opulence.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><p>We\u2019ve seen modern-day billionaires redefine sea luxury\u2014from <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/luxury-lifestyle\/bill-gates-breakthrough-hydrogen-superyacht\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bill Gates\u2019 $1 billion hydrogen-powered yacht<\/a> to <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/luxury-lifestyle\/koru-yacht-jeff-bezos\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jeff Bezos\u2019 $800 million floating marvel<\/a>. But before all the cutting-edge technology and billionaire battles for the biggest, there was <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Christina_O\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Christina O<\/em><\/a> \u2014 the original superyacht, the one that started it all.<\/p><p>This iconic vessel has hosted some of the most powerful and influential personalities of the 20th century and is all about history, glamour, and sheer extravagance. Now it is once again up for sale, for a $95 million USD (~$150 million AUD) price tag, and its story takes us back to where the concept of superyachts began.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"926\" height=\"1400\" src=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Getty-3-926x1400.webp\" alt=\"Winston Churchill Christina O World's First Superyacht\" class=\"wp-image-526991\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Getty-3-926x1400.webp 926w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Getty-3-635x960.webp 635w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Getty-3-423x640.webp 423w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Getty-3-768x1162.webp 768w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Getty-3-255x386.webp 255w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Getty-3-480x726.webp 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 400px, (max-width: 640px) 600px, (max-width: 768px) 700px, (min-width: 769px) 800px, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill sailed on the yacht eight times. Image: Getty <\/figcaption><\/figure><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-from-a-warship-to-a-symbol-of-elegance-nbsp-nbsp\">From a Warship to a Symbol of Elegance\u00a0\u00a0<\/h2><p>The yacht was built in 1943 and it began its life not as a luxury yacht but as a Canadian warship that served in <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/World_War_II\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">World War II<\/a> and even participated in the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Normandy_landings\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">D-Day landings<\/a>. <\/p>    <div class=\"content-subscribe\">\n        <div class=\"subscribe-box\">\n            <p class=\"subscribe-title\">Curated news for men, <br\/>delivered to your inbox.<\/p>\n            <form class=\"subscribe-form\" method=\"POST\">\n                <div class=\"subscribe-input\">\n                    <label class=\"screen-reader-text\" for=\"subscribe-email\">Email:<\/label>\n                    <input type=\"email\" name=\"email\" id=\"subscribe-email\" placeholder=\"Enter your email\" required class=\"form-control\" autocomplete=\"on\" \/>\n                    <button type=\"submit\" class=\"button button-primary subscribe-button\">Sign Up<\/button>\n                    <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"source\" value=\"article\" \/>\n                    <input type=\"hidden\" id=\"_wpnonce\" name=\"_wpnonce\" value=\"e2df992756\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/526989\" \/>                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"form-result\"><\/div>\n            <\/form>\n            <p class=\"subscribe-copy\">Join the DMARGE newsletter \u2014 Be the first to receive the latest news and exclusive stories on style, travel, luxury, cars, and watches. Straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <p>That\u2019s a far cry from the champagne-drenched parties it later hosted. After the war, Greek shipping magnate <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Aristotle_Onassis\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Aristotle Onassis<\/a> bought the ship in 1954 for a mere $50,000 USD \u2014 a bargain, even back then \u2014 and started a $4 million USD transformation that turned it into the world\u2019s first true superyacht. The vessel was named after his daughter, Christina, and became known among the world\u2019s elite for its detailed design and unmatched features.<\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-2107368422\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_1602881187 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_1602881187 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[250,250],[300,100],[300,250],[320,100],[336,280]],\"incontent-2107368422\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_1602881187.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-2107368422\");});};adsQueue.push(load_1602881187);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"980\" height=\"646\" src=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Getty-3.jpg\" alt=\"Jacki Kennedy Wedding Christina O World's First Superyacht\" class=\"wp-image-526992\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Getty-3.jpg 980w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Getty-3-960x633.jpg 960w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Getty-3-640x422.jpg 640w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Getty-3-768x506.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Getty-3-255x168.jpg 255w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Getty-3-480x316.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 400px, (max-width: 640px) 600px, (max-width: 768px) 700px, (min-width: 769px) 800px, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jackie Kennedy during her wedding reception with Aristotle Onassis aboard the <em>Christina O<\/em> in 1968. Image: Getty <\/figcaption><\/figure><p>The guest list of the yacht reads like a history book. Former British Prime Minister <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Winston_Churchill\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Winston Churchill<\/a> sailed on the yacht on eight separate occasions. Former US President <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/John_F._Kennedy\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">John F. Kenned<\/a>y made an appearance, and so did <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jacqueline_Kennedy_Onassis\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jackie Kennedy<\/a>, who later married Onassis in 1968 and even had their wedding reception onboard. The yacht also entertained Hollywood royalty such as Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Maria Callas, and John Wayne. And if you\u2019re wondering why it looks familiar, it made an appearance in season five of Netflix\u2019s hugely popular royal drama,<em> The Crown<\/em>, recreating Princess Diana and Prince Charles\u2019 1991 trip to Italy.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-floating-legacy-reborn\">A Floating Legacy Reborn<\/h2><p>Sure, today\u2019s superyachts come with infinity pools and onboard submarines, but <em>Christina O<\/em> has something those floating tech palaces don\u2019t \u2014 pure history and character. The yacht is 325 feet long and features 17 luxurious staterooms, including the Onassis Suite, and can accommodate up to 34 overnight guests. But its deck space allows for grand events with up to 250 guests, making it a floating social club for the world\u2019s elite.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Chritina-O-stef-bravin-2-1400x933.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-527053\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Chritina-O-stef-bravin-2-1400x933.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Chritina-O-stef-bravin-2-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Chritina-O-stef-bravin-2-640x427.jpg 640w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Chritina-O-stef-bravin-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Chritina-O-stef-bravin-2-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 400px, (max-width: 640px) 600px, (max-width: 768px) 700px, (max-width: 1024px) 800px, (min-width: 1025px) 1000px, 2048px\" \/><\/figure><p>Then there\u2019s the design that features a mosaic-tiled swimming pool that converts into a dance floor and the Lapis Lounge that is decorated with semi-precious stones. And let\u2019s not forget Ari\u2019s Bar, where some of the most powerful conversations of the 20th century took place. Fun fact: the bar stools are infamously made from whale foreskin \u2014 adding another layer to its charm.<\/p><p>After Onassis\u2019 death in 1975, <em>Christina O<\/em> fell into disrepair until it was restored in 2001 and later sold for $78 million USD (~$123 million AUD). More recently, it was available for charter, with weekly rental rates between $600,000 and $670,000 USD. Now, its current owners, a group of Irish investors, have put the yacht back on the market. While $95 million USD (~$150 million AUD) may seem like a lot, the price isn\u2019t just for a luxury yacht \u2014 it\u2019s for a piece of history.<\/p><p>Unlike modern <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/tag\/superyachts\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">superyachts<\/a> that impress with size and tech, <em>Christina O<\/em> impresses with legacy. It\u2019s a yacht that has seen political alliances formed, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/list\/ls050559426\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hollywood legends<\/a> unwind, and some of the most iconic moments of the 20th century unfold on its decks. For the right buyer, this isn\u2019t just a yacht; it\u2019s a priceless artefact.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Named after his daughter, Aristotle Onassis spent $4 million USD converting the Christina O into the world&#8217;s first superyacht. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":101118,"featured_media":527052,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":false,"_modified_date":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[146501],"tags":[6903],"coauthors":[146480],"class_list":{"0":"post-526989","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-luxury-lifestyle","8":"tag-superyachts"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/526989","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/101118"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=526989"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/526989\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/527052"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=526989"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=526989"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=526989"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=526989"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}