#MindBuzzer: The Private Island Where Men Were Banned (Except to Build It)
Imagine an island retreat unlike any other: turquoise waves, dense forests, modern luxury cabins, and a singular exclusivity—absolutely no men allowed!
But here’s the kicker: the only men to set foot on this sanctuary were the very ones who built it.
Welcome to the curious tale of SuperShe Island, a real-life social experiment in female-only escapism that made global headlines and left plenty of people scratching their heads.
The Vision: A Women-Only Utopia
SuperShe Island was conceived by Kristina Roth, a German-American tech entrepreneur fed up with the old boys’ club of Silicon Valley retreats. Her idea was bold and simple: create the world’s first luxury wellness island for women, by women—and for a while, nothing else like it existed.
In 2017, Roth purchased a secluded 8.4-acre island off the coast of Finland, and in summer 2018, SuperShe Island opened its gates to women worldwide. Guests had to undergo a strict application process, adding to the island’s mystique and elite aura. The promise? A space to unwind, connect, and empower—no men, interruptions, or outside pressures allowed.
Yoga at sunrise, spa treatments overlooking the Baltic Sea, and networking among likeminded women became the order of the day. Stays cost around 4,600 euros per week. For many, it was the ultimate girl’s getaway; for others, it felt decidedly elitist.
The Paradox: Men Were Needed—At First
But here’s where the story gets even more interesting: men were, in fact, necessary for SuperShe Island…at least in the beginning. While Roth’s vision was firmly women-centric, she had to bring in local male construction workers to lay power lines, renovate lodges, and install the essential infrastructure. This was a pragmatic move—local labor expertise and licensing requirements made their involvement unavoidable.
Once the hammers were down and the paint was dry, however, the doors closed firmly on any further male participation. Officially, the only exceptions (beyond rare visits from Roth’s inner circle) were during this initial build phase.
The Plot Twist: A Surprising Sale
Fast forward to late 2023: as intrigue about the island simmered and the pandemic shifted travel and wellness trends, Roth quietly sold SuperShe Island to a shipping executive named Deyan Mihov. The price tag? Around one million euros—a relative steal in the world of private islands.
With this sale, the women-only era ended. The island’s future became unknown, with Mihov stating he had no immediate public plans for his purchase.
Why It Mattered—and What It Taught Us
SuperShe Island wasn’t just a quirky viral headline; it was a real experiment in the meaning of “safe space,” empowerment, and even social privilege. It drew praise for promoting women’s wellness and networking—but it also stoked debates about inclusivity, exclusivity, and the changing nature of gender-friendly spaces.
In the end, SuperShe Island proves how even the boldest utopian ideas are shaped—and sometimes undone—by practical realities. Sometimes, even in a women-only paradise, you need a few men with toolboxes to turn the dream into reality.
Mind still buzzing?
This story isn’t just about luxury or gender—it’s about how dreams, business, and society collide in unexpected ways. Would you stay on an island that left half the population behind at the dock?
This segment airs Mondays-Fridays @12h45 on The Crossover with CHANTE.