Billionaire investor Peter Thiel has reportedly relocated his family to Buenos Aires, Argentina, a move that underscores growing concerns among some wealthy Americans about taxes, political uncertainty, and even the possibility of large-scale global crises.
According to a report from the New York Times, the PayPal co-founder and prominent Silicon Valley investor has purchased a mansion in one of Buenos Aires’ most exclusive neighborhoods and temporarily moved his family to the Argentine capital. The report also noted that Thiel has held private meetings with Argentine President Javier Milei, whose libertarian approach to government has attracted supporters around the world.
Sources cited by the Times said Thiel’s concerns about the political direction of the United States played a role in the move. Particular attention was focused on California, where a proposed wealth tax on billionaires has gained support among voters. The measure could reportedly have resulted in a massive tax burden for Thiel, helping fuel his interest in alternatives outside the state.
As debate over the proposed tax intensified, Thiel’s investment firm, Thiel Capital, opened an office in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood on Dec. 31. The timing coincided with growing discussion about whether California’s tax policies could drive high-net-worth individuals elsewhere.
But taxes were reportedly only one factor in the billionaire’s calculations.
The Times reported that Thiel has expressed concerns about larger geopolitical and technological threats, including the possibility of nuclear conflict in the Northern Hemisphere. In that context, South America’s relative distance from major global flashpoints appears to have made Argentina a particularly attractive destination.
Others in Thiel’s circle reportedly share similar concerns. Tech entrepreneur Martin Varsavsky told the newspaper that he views Buenos Aires as a contingency plan should major international conflicts erupt.
“The moment China takes Taiwan or Russia takes Lithuania, I’m in Buenos Aires,” Varsavsky was quoted as saying. “It’s good to have a Plan B for civilization.”
The report also stated that Thiel has enrolled his children in a Buenos Aires school and purchased land in neighboring Uruguay, suggesting a broader commitment to the region.
His growing ties to Argentina appear to extend beyond real estate. Thiel has reportedly developed a close relationship with Milei, whose opposition to taxes, regulations, and government spending closely mirrors many of the investor’s long-held views. The two first met in 2024 and have since held additional private meetings, according to the Times.
While a source familiar with Thiel’s plans told the newspaper that Argentina’s government is considering offering him citizenship or permanent residency, a spokesperson for Milei denied the claim.
The move also fits a broader pattern in Thiel’s life. Born in Germany and raised in the United States, he obtained citizenship in New Zealand in 2011 through a special provision despite not meeting the country’s standard residency requirements. Previous reports have also noted his efforts to seek citizenship in Malta.
Beyond politics and finance, Thiel has increasingly spoken publicly about religious and apocalyptic themes. In speeches and interviews, he has discussed the Antichrist and warned that fears surrounding existential threats could potentially be used to justify the creation of a powerful “one-world” government.
According to the Times, those interests have remained a topic of discussion in Buenos Aires. At a recent dinner hosted at his mansion, conversation reportedly turned to the Antichrist, a subject that has become one of Thiel’s recurring areas of interest.
The New York Post reported that it has sought comment from Thiel regarding the move.
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