My Private Island: Academy Award Winner Mel Gibson’s Fiji Island
When Mel Gibson isn't off killing redcoats or defending Scotland (man, he really doesn't like the English, does he?) he can relax on one of the largest private islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.
Gibson snagged the 5,400 acre Mago Island for $15M from Japan’s Tokyu Corp in early 2005, shortly after the release of The Passion of the Christ. Mago is 166 miles east northeast of Suva, Fiji’s capital, and 14 miles southwest of the small island of Namalata.
The purchase was fairly controversial given the island’s colorful past. During the late 1800s, both a cotton plantation and a sugar plantation were established on the island and descendants of original native inhabitants have protested Gibson’s big purchase.
The island's history of cotton and sugar plantations had descendants of natives protesting the purchase. (No doubt Mel will make a movie of their struggles, starring...Mel Gibson)
But, Gibson has tastefully developed Mago Island, saying he’s committed to leaving the island in its pristine state aside from a modest personal residence.
Despite having the perfect spot to relax, Gibson is hard at work directing Hacksaw Ridge, a fact-based movie about Desmond Doss, the first conscientious objector in American history to receive the Medal of Honor. Vince Vaughn is headlining the flick along with Andrew Garfield and Sam Worthington.
