How does Trevor Noah spend his millions? The Daily Show’s host loves Lamborghinis and Patek Philippe watches – but also pays the salaries of his staff who were furloughed due to Covid-19

Dec 30 , 2020

Trevor Noah – comedian extraordinaire who spends his bucks on fast cars, cool watches and mansions while covering the salaries of The Daily Show staff furloughed due to Covid-19. Photo: AP

South Africa-born comedian Trevor Noah has an estimated net worth of US$40 million. In 2019, he was named the fourth-richest comedian by Forbes magazine, behind big names like Kevin Hart, Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan, and earned US$28 million that year.

Although he hustled for money growing up, the 36-year-old’s books, Netflix deals and stand-up shows have brought the dollars rolling in. Here’s how the celeb spends his hard-earned cash.

He own some rather fancy pads

Trevor Noah’s Manhattan property boasts a wraparound terrace and sweeping panoramas. Photo: Sotheby’s NYC

Noah’s big spending in the real estate market caught the attention of fans after he dropped millions on two homes – one in New York and the other in Los Angeles.

The funny man also owned a luxury Bel Air mansion in Los Angeles, which he bought for US$20.5 million, and sold a few months ago for US$21.7 million. The 10,044 sq ft property has five bedrooms and eight bathrooms, as well as a saltwater aquarium, stone bar, office, chef’s kitchen in marble, and climate-controlled wine storage.

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Trevor Noah can enjoy a view of the Empire State Building while soaking in the tub in his Manhattan penthouse. Photo: Sotheby’s NYC

Noah’s Manhattan flat was apparently his first big splurge after getting The Daily Show gig. The penthouse takes up the 17th and 18th floors of a building in midtown Manhattan and was bought for US$10 million. It is just four blocks from where The Daily Show is filmed. It has a wraparound terrace and great panoramas: Noah is said to have a view of the Empire State Building from the tub in the master bathroom.

He is an ardent lover of watches

Noah is a confessed lover of luxury timepieces, and has said that as a child, his father, who is Swiss, would bring him a watch and chocolates whenever he went to Switzerland.

The comedian recently flaunted a Richard Mille RM11-03 Automatic Flyback Chronograph worth around US$130,000.

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As a watch connoisseur, Noah does have a favourite, explaining that if he had to keep just one, it would be the Patek Philippe 5650G Advanced Research. He said it is one of the most beautiful pieces ever made, highlighting its classic but fun design elements. It retails for around US$59,000.

He pays the salaries of furloughed staff

The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in massive job losses across the globe, with several celebrities affected. Noah and The Daily Show weren’t spared either, with the presenter hosting from home.

Although some staff have been contributing remotely, it was reported that Noah has been paying the salaries of 25 staff members who were furloughed. The comedian has reportedly said he will continue to do so until production fully resumes.

Those benefiting from his generosity include video operators, audio technicians and stage management crew. Production was halted in March, and pundits estimate the cost of covering the salaries must have put Noah out of millions.

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He enjoys those fast whips

Of course, earning millions of dollars means fast cars come with the territory. Noah used to own a Bentley GT, Lamborghini Huracán and a Porsche Macan but sold them when he moved to New York.

He has revealed that he spent most of his life fixing cars because his step-dad owned a garage, so he knows to appreciate a good set of wheels.

He is also a member of an exclusive car club – for a hefty fee, of course – which allows him access to luxury cars every month. One company that specialises in luxury car rentals in Manhattan, Gotham Dream Cars, describes itself as a timeshare option that allows petrol heads to enjoy exotic wheels with no hassle. Basic membership starts at US$18,000 (titanium level); the highest level is diamond, which costs US$49,000.

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Fame and celebrity

The fourth-wealthiest comedian after Kevin Hart and Jerry Seinfeld, South African celeb Trevor Noah got rich from lucrative Netflix deals – and he’s spending his millions on Richard Mille watches, Bentleys and New York penthouses