Determining the absolute highest bail amount ever set is challenging, as it can vary depending on factors such as jurisdiction, inflation, and the specific circumstances of the case. Yet, one notable example of an extraordinarily high bail amount was set in 2013 for billionaire real estate heir Robert Durst.

In 2013, Robert Durst was arrested in New Orleans on a first-degree murder charge related to the death of his friend, Susan Berman, in Los Angeles in 2000. His bail was initially set at $250,000, but prosecutors argued that he was a flight risk due to his wealth and history of evading law enforcement. As a result, the judge raised his bail to an unprecedented $1 billion, the highest ever set in the United States at the time.

While this case is one of the most well-known instances of an exceptionally high bail amount, it’s worth noting that bail amounts can vary widely depending on the circumstances and jurisdiction, and the amount set in any given case is at the discretion of the judge overseeing the proceedings.