It can be argued, of course, that this shows that the rich can buy amenities the poor cannot and, indeed, Paulson is only one of many wealthy members of the Conservancy board (which includes Henry Kravis of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, Thomas Kempner of Davidson Kempner Capital Management and Michael Steinberg of Steinberg Asset Management).

FORBES: John Paulson's Smart (New) Bet

Among the backers of his firm are Henry Kravis and George Roberts, the men behind the famously canny investment firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts.

ECONOMIST: Money managers

Noteworthy alumnus: Henry Kravis, the king of leveraged buyouts and founder of the investment firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts.

FORBES: The Whiz Kids