Category: Celebrity Homes

Jimmy Kimmel, the long-standing late night television talk show host, is turning 55 today, so let’s take a look at the life and friends of this amazing comedian.

Main House in Los Angeles, CA

Jimmy, his wife Molly, and his two younger kids live in a gorgeous mansion in a celeb-filled neighborhood. The 5,500 square foot house has four bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms, a gorgeous open interior, and a pool. It also has a guest house that Jimmy uses for all sorts of work purposes. Jimmy bought the house back in 2008 for around $6 million, which was NBD to the entertainer worth $45 million or more.

This neighborhood is full of celebrities. Kendall Jenner, Dakota Johnson, Johnny Galeki, and others live nearby. Kimmel and his former neighbor, John Kransinski, used to play all sorts of pranks on each other; one year Kimmel had the entire Kransiski house wrapped in gift wrap!

Home in Hermosa Beach, CA

Jimmy owns two homes (or more, it’s hard to tell) in trendy Hermosa Beach. This beauty is only a block from the beach. Kimmel bought this house in 2004, shortly after he took on his late-night TV hosting gig. He paid around $2 million for the 2,200 square foot home. Homes in this neighborhood are all home, no yard, because of their high property value, and their proximity to the one really important feature: The beach.

Jimmy owns another home in the area, but it seems his sister-in-law lives there.

Sarah Silverman’s House, Los Angeles, CA

Before marrying Molly, Jimmy dated actress and comedian Sarah Silverman for several years. She appeared often on Jimmy’s show, and played a role in the long-running gag he has with Matt Damon.

Sarah now lives in a gorgeous, modern mansion in LA. She paid $3.5 million for the Los Feliz home, with four bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, that was built in 2020. She probably had the home custom designed, as it was never on the market and never officially for sale. Even though the lot is relatively small, there’s plenty of room for a pool!

Martha Stewart’s Home, Bedford, NY

Jimmy appeared on the PBS television show Finding Your Roots and was told on-air that he is related to hosting maven Martha Stewart. Surprised, he joked that he would be coming to her house for the holidays.

Martha lives on a gorgeous working farm in Bedford, New York. While it’s only about an hour outside of Manhattan, it feels like an entirely different world. Her 150-acre farm is the perfect residence for the homemaker supreme, with gardens, greenhouses, barns, horses, chickens, and other animals, and more. The main residence dates back to 1925, and there are multiple other structures, including tenant homes and guest houses.

She paid about $15 million for the property in 2000, and has continually worked on it to make it perfect for her needs and desires. Maybe one day she’ll host Jimmy for Christmas dinner!

El Capitan Entertainment Center, Los Angeles, CA

Jimmy Kimmel got his his start in show business on radio. Then he got a gig with Comedy Central. Eventually, he got his own late-night show on ABC, and has been there for twenty years!

The show has been filmed in Los Angeles, at the historic El Capitan Entertainment Center (formerly the Hollywood Masonic Temple). The venue is used for movie premiers and entertainment events in addition to being the home of Jimmy Kimmel Live! for the past 20 years.

SoFi Stadium

Oddly enough, Jimmy Kimmel actually has a college football bowl game named after him. The Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl, as it will be called for the next few years according to the contract, will be played at the SoFi Stadium, the home of the NFL Rams and Chargers.

The stadium opened in September 2020, and is one of just a few stadiums that is shared by multiple sports teams.

Kimmel hosted the first LA Bowl in 2021, which is part of college football’s efforts to expand the post-season bowl series to involve more teams. He literally hosts the game, much like a celebrity hosts a parade or event, making it an entertaining and funny sports event.

Jimmy has it all, and turning 55 has to be exciting for the continually successful entertainer. From a wonderful, loving family, to a successful long-running television show, to a college football bowl game, and even new cousin Martha Stewart, this guy seems to have it all.

Happy Birthday, Jimmy! Maybe if your birthday wish is for Matt Damon to come on the show, it’ll finally happen this year!

Did you know November is National Adoption Month in the United States? It’s a great opportunity to shed positive light on adoption, where kids and parents can find each other and become a family, even if they weren’t together from birth.

Let’s take a look at some awesome people who were adopted, and went on to do amazing and awesome things!

Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs changed the world over and over. From the iPod to the iPhone, he made technology an everyday part of our lives. And he made himself incredibly wealthy in the process, with an estimated wealth of at least $10 billion!

Before he passed away in 2011 from cancer, the visionary CEO of Apple lived in a beautiful 5,800 square foot mansion in Palo Alto, California. The understated but beautiful home was a great fit for the functional inventor. The 1930s home sits on a half acre, and has seven bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, and beautiful trees and landscaping.

Steve was adopted as an infant. He knew he was adopted, but felt strongly that Paul and Clara Jobs were his parents “1,000%”. Later in life, he connected with his birth family but always cherished the parents that chose him as a baby.

Jamie Foxx

The award-winning actor and singer grew up in Texas, adopted shortly after birth, by his maternal grandparents. His talent for entertaining was clear by the time he was 8. After college, Jamie got a job on In Living Color. The rest is history.

He has earned Academy Awards, and countless other awards, and is one of the best entertainers in the business. Along the way, he has earned an amazing $170 million!

He lives in a 17,000 square foot house in the Hidden Valley area of Los Angeles, with a 40-acre estate complete with tennis court, swimming pool, ten bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, plenty of space for entertaining. And, a master suite with a sitting room, two fireplaces, and two bathrooms!

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela, an influential and important South African leader, was raised by his mom until he was seven. Because of changing circumstances, he was then sent to live with tribal leaders. He always said these second parents treated him as their own child, and that he felt part of the family.

Mandela fought for equality in South Africa, and became the first Black president of South Africa, after spending nearly 20 years in prison, as a result of fighting for equality and against apartheid.

Mandela was loved in his country, and around the world. After decades of public service, “Tata” retired to a beautiful estate in his hometown of Qunu. He was buried here after he died in 2013.

Snooki

Snooki became a household name as a member of the show Jersey Shore, where a group of outspoken young adults live large on the Jersey Shore. She turned that bit of fame into a career, and is still involved in show business.

While the show often highlights Snooki’s Italian-American culture, Snooki was actually born in Chile, and was adopted by Italian-American parents as a baby. While she may not be Italian by blood, she’s 100% Italian by family, and makes it clear all the time.

She and her family live in a gorgeous $2.5 million mansion in Florham Park, New Jersey. The custom-built home has five bedrooms, six bathrooms, 9,300 square feet of living space, with a gourmet kitchen, gorgeous fireplace, and beautiful decor. It’s a perfect place for Jersey’s queen and her family!

Bill Clinton

Bill Clinton, the 42nd president of the United States, rose from humble beginnings to become the “leader of the free world.” His father died in a car crash before Bill was born. His mother remarried, and his stepfather adopted him as a child.

By his teenage years, Bill formally adopted the last name “Clinton”, but never had fond feelings for his adoptive father, who he said hurt him and his family members.

Bill went on to Yale Law School, was elected governor of Arkansas, and eventually elected President of the United States. He and his wife Hillary, a presidential candidate in her right, own a few homes, including one in Washington, D.C., but their main residence is in Chappaqua, New York.

They have lived here since 2000, when Hillary ran for senator. The beautiful 5,000 square foot white farm house has five bedrooms, a pool, detached guest house, and sits on over an acre.

These are just a few famous and influential people who had a unique start to their childhood, and it serves as a great reminder that our experiences make us who we are, and we can do great things because of, not in spite of, unique circumstances.

He’s handsome. He has an Australian accent. He has a smile that lights up Broadway. He can sing. And dance. He has it all. And today it’s his birthday!

Let’s take a look at the dashing Hugh Jackman, and wish Hollywood’s nicest superstar a happy 54th  birthday!

NYC Penthouse

Hugh Jackman is an actor’s actor; he can sing and dance, perform on Broadway or on the big screen, and everything he does is a hit. Over the course of his nearly 30 years in show business, he has done it all. And it has made him very, very rich.

In 2009, Hugh and his wife Deborra-lee Furness bought a custom three-story unit in a high-end luxury building in downtown NYC. The home was originally on the market for $40 million, but they got it for a steal at $21 million. At more than 11,000 square feet, this mansion has picture-perfect views of the Hudson River, an entire floor dedicated to the main bedroom suite, and tons of amazing upgrades.

The couple put the house on the market in late 2021, with an asking price around $40 million, but there’s no word on if it’s sold yet.

Bondi Beach Apartment

Hugh is an international star, but his roots are still clearly in Australia. He and Deborra-lee maintain a property in downtown Sydney, on gorgeous Bondi Beach, where Hugh loves to go running. And it’s a good thing he stays in shape, because he rescued his son and some other swimmers on the beach a few years ago!

The patio doors open all the way, removing any barrier between home and ocean. The three-bedroom unit is incredibly private and understated, to avoid attention when the family is able to visit, but the upscale design, with marble, open spaces, and hardwood, make it feel like a luxurious retreat for the lucky family.

East Hamptons Dream Home

Deborra-lee dreamed for years of designing her own home, and planned every detail in her mind. She and Hugh turned her dream into reality when they built a custom-designed home in the East Hamptons. It took six years to turn the vision into reality, but it was worth it!

The property right on the bay was designed as a “minimalist dream” in a monochrome color scheme. Floor to ceiling windows are included in most rooms, including the main bathroom, which is entirely marble.

It has a gorgeous outdoor pool just steps from the house, with views of the bay, an outdoor shower structure, access to the water, and more, all in black and white, stone and wood.

During the six year project, the family lived in a small existing structure lovingly nicknamed “the Shack”.

Nicole Kidman’s Australian Ranch

Hugh Jackman isn’t the only Aussie who reigns supreme in Hollywood. His costar in Australia (filmed in 2008) Nicole Kidman is a longtime star, who lives much of the time on her expansive Australian ranch.

The ranch, worth about $4.5 million, has more than 100 acres, a working farm with alpacas and cows, an orchard, and an 11 acre garden! It has a guest cottage, a swimming pool, tennis court, and trampoline. The main house has six bedrooms, plenty for the family of four, as well as a cedar staircase, ten marble fireplaces, and an Australian marble veranda that wraps around half the second floor.

Mike Tyson’s Nevada Mansion

Hugh’s big breakthrough performance was as Wolverine in the X-Men series, starting in 2000. He was extremely dedicated to the role, and spent countless hours watching footage of Clint Eastwood and Mel Gibson, and especially Mike Tyson, to learn how to fight, and how to be tough and intimidating, all without uttering a word.

Mike Tyson has had as many ups and downs as Wolverine, but these days he lives in a nice mansion in Henderson, Nevada, just outside Las Vegas. He paid about $2.5 million back in 2015 for the place, and lives a relatively modest lifestyle, considering he blew through nearly $400 million during his career!

Carnegie Hall in New York City

While many people know of Hugh as a movie star, his first love was acting and singing on stage. His love of theater endures, as seen with his great successes The Greatest Showman and Les Misérables. He has sung on stage all around the world, including at the world-famous Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Performing at Carnegie Hall is a life goal for artists of all talents. The building was brought to life by Andrew Carnegie, a wealthy steel baron-turned-philanthropist during America’s Gilded Age. The structure is as beautiful as the art produced inside, and at night the brick comes alive, inviting all to come and enjoy a beautiful evening of artful entertainment.

No matter where Hugh is celebrating this year, he’s going to have a good time. With his 100-watt smile and amazing voice, he’ll probably sing his own birthday tune, and as usual, it’ll be amazing. He’s turning 54, and he’s at the peak of his career and life. What more can he wish for? Happy Birthday, Hugh!

 

There’s a reason people call her the Queen. Beyonce has risen from singing at her local church in Texas to being the lead in one of music’s most successful girl-groups ever, to being one of music, fashion, and entertainment’s most powerful, influential, and memorable individuals of all time.

She’s sold millions of albums, is worth half a billion dollars, has three lovely children, and dropped a new album this summer. Sounds like she’s got it all, and on her 41st birthday, she can be pretty darn happy.

Childhood Home in Houston, Texas

Beyonce grew up with her sister Solange, and mom and dad, in Houston, Texas. At a very early age, her talent for singing and performing was discovered, and by age seven, she was beating teenagers in talent competitions.

Beyonce’s parents bought this home when she was just a baby, and it was here that she spent her first few years. The three-bedroom, three-bathroom home has been remodeled and recently sold for an impressive $500,000!

Jay-Z’s Childhood Home, Brooklyn, New York

While Beyonce grew up in a middle-class environment, her future husband Jay-Z had a much more challenging experience. He grew up in the Marcy Projects in Brooklyn, New York. It was built after World War II, and houses around 4,500 people.

Growing up here was rough, with poverty, crime, and drug use prevalent. Jay-Z has even spoken about being shot and selling drugs himself before he found a career, and a way out of the neighborhood.

His upbringing has influenced his career, but it never held him back. These days, he is listed as the second richest rapper in the world, worth more than a billion dollars!

Penthouse, New York City, New York

Jay-Z bought a gorgeous Tribeca penthouse in 2004, around the time he and Beyonce became a couple. After some disputes with the other tenants of the building, he paid about $7 million for the pad. The place is not just any NYC apartment; it has 8,000 square feet of interior space, plus 3,000 more in outdoor terrace space.

The couple held their private wedding here in 2008. While they worked hard to ensure a completely private affair, we do know they invited around 40 guests to celebrate their union in an all-white affair.

Mansion in Bel Air, California

Beyonce met her future husband when she was in her early 20s, and they have been together ever since. They have three young children, and work hard to keep their family life private.

In 2017, Beyonce and her family moved into an absolutely epic mansion. They bought it at a discount for “only” $88 million, and then upgraded the living area for another $750,000.

The 30,000 square foot estate is unique, to say the least. There are four pools, including one built on top of some living space. It has a basketball court, 15 car garage, a separate residence for staff, bulletproof glass, gorgeous views, the list goes on!

Beyonce has a massive walk-in closet suite, spa, eight bedrooms, eleven bathrooms, in-home movie theater, and more. It’s a great place to raise a family, with a monthly mortgage higher than most people make in a year!

Property in East Hamptons, New York

The East Hamptons may only be 100 miles away from where Jay-Z was raised, but it looks and feels like a different planet. Just weeks after making their massive Bel Air purchase, the power couple dropped another $26 million on this East Hamptons estate.

The waterfront property has 12,000 square feet of living space in the main house, seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms, access to the water on the property, and a guest house bigger than most homes! The home boasts heated marble bathtubs, two-hundred year old imported fireplaces, Venetian floors, a master suite nearly 3,000 square feet, bowling alley, rock climbing wall, skateboarding ramp, and more!

Converted Church, New Orleans, Louisiana

When you have a house with four pools, what else can you do to expand your real estate empire! Apparently, buy a New Orleans church and renovate it into a private residence. A lot of mystery surrounds the “La Casa de Castille” including how much the family paid for it. Some records indicate they paid only $100!

The family put it on the market for around $4.5 million shortly after an arsonist broke into the home and set it on fire. However, it was removed from the market a few months later, and it’s not clear what’s up with the house these days.

No one has a perfect life, but Beyonce’s seems pretty darn amazing. She’s just proved, once again, that her talent for music and performance is without equal. She has three amazing kids, gorgeous homes from coast to coast, and a whole army of fans loyal to the Queen Bea. It’s a sure bet that her birthday serenade will be in perfect harmony.

Happy Birthday, Beyonce!

Today, Jennifer Lawrence turns 32 years old, and we hope that the most successful actress in Hollywood history can take a break from her newest role as mom to a baby boy born in February, to enjoy some cake and gifts and time with loved ones.

Childhood Home in Louisville, KY

Jennifer grew up with her parents and two brothers in a nice suburban home outside Louisville, Kentucky. While she moved to Los Angeles around the age of 14 to pursue an acting career, her family continued to live in the 4,000 square foot home until 2021, when it sold for about $1.2 million. The beautiful, wood-floored home was a great place to grow up, and certainly helped her become the grounded, capable person she is today.

Suzanne Collins Home in Newtown, CT

Jennifer’s acting talent was clear from her early teens, and she quickly landed some successful roles. She was nominated for a best actress Oscar when she was only 20! However, it was her starring role as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Game series that brought her international fame and fortune.

The movies were based on the best-selling novels written by Suzanne Collins, who writes from her home in the Sandy Hook area of Newtown, Connecticut. While she is now worth more than $60 million, and even helped adapt the books for film, she still lives in her 2,400 square foot home that she and her husband bought in 2003.

Hunger Games Filming Site, Jonesboro GA

The Hunger Games is a dystopian story about a country that seemed loosely built on the United States, so it was awesome that filming of the films could take place across the US. Much of the filming took place in the southeast, including this location in Georgia, which was used for the intense cornucopia scenes.

First Townhouse in Santa Monica, CA

Jennifer moved to LA when she was young, trying to break into the business. As soon as she found limited success, she bought a 1,500 square foot townhouse in Santa Monica. She paid just under $900,000, which is a bargain for the area!

She stayed in the basic home for a few years, until she really made it in Hollywood with films in the X-Men and Hunger Games franchises under her belt, but sold it when she moved.

Tribeca Condo, NY

Like most celebrities, Jennifer keeps a residence in New York. In 2017, she bought a condo at 443 Greenwich, which caters to the rich and famous, with major security and privacy for all residents. Her neighbors included Jake Gyllenhaal, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel, Harry Stiles, and more.

The building has underground parking for increased privacy, a Turkish bath, fitness rooms, a massive lap pool, and more.

Jennifer’s unit has 3,000 square feet, with 35-foot ceilings in some areas, and a restaurant-grade kitchen, perfect for amazing meals in the gorgeous suite. She never spent much time at the penthouse, often listing it for rent for $30,000/month.

New York Townhouse, NY

Jennifer’s husband, Cooke Maroney, is an art gallery director, so naturally he spends plenty of time in New York. Therefore, the couple needs a good home for their family. In 2020, they bought this townhouse in the West Village, for about $22 million. NBD!

It has four bedrooms, and is located in the heart of Manhattan, perfect for Cooke’s career.

Beverly Hills Mansion, CA

Unlike some other celebrities, Jennifer hasn’t spent a lot of time and money investing in real estate; when she buys a residence, she seems to keep it for awhile and try to make it a home.

In 2014, she bought a 5,500 square foot mansion in the celebrity enclave Hidden Valley Estates in Beverly Hills. Her neighbors include Ellen DeGeneres, and the house was previously owned by Ellen herself, Jessica Simpson and other celebs.

She paid about $8.2 million for the fully-renovated mansion, which has a pool, koi pond, amazing kitchen, and plenty of interior space. Nearly a decade on, she’s still living here basically full-time, and has made the home perfect for her growing family, with husband Cooke, and the new baby boy they welcomed this year.

In the spotlight since she was a teenager, Jennifer has taken a step back, but not a step down, in her Hollywood career. As she celebrates her birthday today, let’s hope she reflects on all the amazing things she’s accomplished, and feels content with her amazing achievements, and enjoys cake on her special day. Happy Birthday, Jennifer!

 

Some people might say that Americans have two main interests: Hollywood glamour and political involvement.

Donald Trump is the embodiment of the mixing of these two interests, but he is far from the only celebrity to run for political office.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Austrian bodybuilder turned American actor, was most famous for his role as the Terminator, until he chose to run for governor of California. He served from 2003 to 2011, and was a generally well-liked politician. His transition from a hunky hulk to “the Governator” might not be so shocking when you realize his (now ex) wife Maria Schriver is part of the Kennedy clan, niece of President John F. Kennedy and his brothers, Senators Bobby and Ted Kennedy.

He was born in Austria and raised in Thal, living in the same home until he moved to the United States to pursue his career as a bodybuilder.

After becoming wildly successful in Hollywood, he maintained several residences, including a large estate in Los Angeles, which was the family’s primary residence until his infidelity ended their marriage. It sold in 2013.

Cynthia Nixon

Cynthia Nixon has been a working actress since 1980, but her most famous role was that of consummate New Yorker Miranda Hobbes on the now-classic HBO series Sex in the City.

Since the end of the show, Nixon has made a name for herself as an advocate for LGBT and women’s issues. After ending a five year relationship with Danny Mozes, she began dating her now-wife Christine Marinoni.

In 2018, Nixon announced her intention to run for Governor of New York as a Democrat, challenging incumbent Chris Cuomo. While she has made quite an impact in the campaign, it was clear from the start that her campaign would raise important issues in the Democratic primary, but she was a long shot to beat Cuomo. Cuomo did win the primary and was reelected governor in November 2018.

Nixon and her family, classic New Yorkers, maintain several residences throughout the city, including this home just off Central Park.

Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood is tough, and he always gets his way. As an actor he has embodied a tough as nails attitude, in his famous Dirty Harry films, and has directed gritty, moving and successful films such as Million Dollar Baby and Flags of our Fathers.

His grit isn’t just an act, and it shows in his personal life. He has lived in Carmel, California for decades. He has been active in maintaining and protecting the town of 4,500, and after a dispute with the mayor, he ran for mayor in 1986. He won the election on a platform of, among other things, allowing ice cream cones to be sold within the city limits. He donated the $200 monthly salary to charity, and after his first term, decided not to run for reelection.

Jerry Springer

Jerry Springer, famous for his tabloid-style talk show, was a politician first, and then became a celebrity. Springer was born in London, England, during World War II, and emigrated to the United States in 1949 and ended up as a lawyer in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1971, he was elected as a city councilman, but in 1974 he had to resign amid a major, if not amusing in hindsight, scandal.

Springer had been a client of a massage parlor that fronted a brothel, and had the misfortune of paying with a check “for services rendered”. In spite of the short-term scandal, he was reelected to office in 1975, and appointed mayor in 1977.

After his stint in politics, he got involved in local television news, and eventually became the host of the nationally syndicated show The Jerry Springer Show, which interviews guests on salacious and dramatic topics, encouraging fights and dramatics to the delight of viewers.

Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan was an actor, appearing in movies and on television from the 1930s to 1960s. He was famous, if not an A-list star, but became very well-known for his television appearances.

He ran for and was elected governor of California in 1966, and served two terms. After serving, he remained involved in politics, and very popular among conservative Republicans. He was elected president of the United States in 1980, and served two terms, and was generally well-lied and effective in his job.

He and his wife Nancy maintained their close ties to California, including visiting their ranch in Santa Barbara, which earned it the nickname the “Western White House”.

The Reagans also spent much of their time post-presidency in a nice home in the Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles, where Ronald Reagan died in 2004.

These celebrities and politicians just go to show us all that you can really do anything you want, if you set your mind to it, and maybe have a lot of fans to vote for you, and enough money to fund your campaign ambitions.

Jennifer Lopez is turning 53 today, and judging by how her last year has gone, she has a lot to celebrate! Just last week, she tied the knot with Ben Affleck, in a low-key ceremony in Las Vegas. Let’s take a look at her life in real estate as we  wish her a happy birthday!

First Mansion, Los Angeles, California

From a young age, Jennifer was determined to become a famous dancer, and her hard work, dedication, and talent paid off quickly. By 20, she was a regular on television, and pivoted to a career in singing and acting. By 30, she was a Hollywood box office star as well as Billboard topping singer.

She bought her first mansion in 2000 for about $4.3 million. It had both a pool and tennis court, home theater, guest house, and more. She sold it a few years later for $12.5 million, making a huge profit and showing her real estate acumen. It was later owned by Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale until they sold it as part of their divorce.

Beachside Getaway Mansion, Miami, Florida

While Jennifer was born and raised in the Bronx, she has maintained close ties to Miami, and has often owned at least one home in the sunny retreat city. She bought this property in 2002.

While we don’t know what she paid, we do know she sold it three years later for $13.9 million, and it’s changed hands several times since then. Phil Collins sold it in 2020, with an asking price of $40 million!

The acre-plus estate has been considered one of the best properties in the area, and has been renovated to have a thousand square foot closet, six bedrooms, eight bathrooms, nearly 200 feet of bay frontage, a massive pool and well-landscaped yard, and more.

Long Island Estate, New York

In 2004, Jennifer purchased a gorgeous brick mansion. She and her former husband Marc Anthony lived here for the ten years they were married. They raised their twins together, and after the divorce, Marc lived here for a few more years. It sold in 2017 for around $4.5 million, which was a major reduction, since he originally asked for $12 million when it was first listed in 2015.

When it sold, the house boasted a kitchen with counters worth more than $100,000, original 1940s woodworking, and a movie theater, in addition to a pool and pool house, and a bulletproof recording studio, because, why not?

Mansion in Hidden Hills, California

In 2010, Jennifer bought a massive estate in the uber-popular Hidden Hills area of Los Angeles. She paid about $8 million for the compound, which has a bifurcated main house, with nine bedrooms, a dance studio (because, why not?) and recording studio, movie theater, and bar.

The amazing entertainment mecca went on the market in 2015 after her divorce, but took two years to sell. While Jennifer usually makes a great profit on her investments, the house sold for around $10 million, way below the $17.5 million she initially hoped to get.

Penthouse in New York City, New York

After her divorce from Marc, Jennifer went back to New York City and bought a massive penthouse in the Whitman Building in downtown NYC. The property has a beautiful rooftop garden, spacious 12-foot ceilings, a gorgeous chef’s kitchen, and plenty of space for entertaining.

She paid around $21 million for it, and has been trying to sell it for the better part of four years. She realized that, in spite of the private elevator and other accommodations, it isn’t as private as she had hoped. Recently, it was taken off the market, but has not sold.

Ben Affleck’s Pacific Palisades Mansion, California

Jennifer has dated her share of A-list celebrities, and was recently engaged to Alex Rodriguez. But in 2021, she broke off her engagement (and put for sale a lot of joint-owned real estate) with the former Yankee All-Star. Shortly after, it was clear she was back with her 2000s era flame Ben Affleck. The two have been inseparable since.

Ben Affleck bought this estate in 2017 for $20 million to be close to his ex-wife Jennifer Garner and their kids, who live down the street. The gorgeous white painted brick house has a pool, gorgeous lawn, crisp and clean interior design, and plenty of space for the blended family to hang out together.

New Property in Los Angeles, California

It’s great that after all the years, Ben and Jennifer have been able to rekindle an old romance and friendship. The two have spent plenty of time together, in old haunts like Miami and Boston. They tried earlier this year to purchase a $50 million Bel Air estate, but it fell through.

However, things are looking up for Jennifer, as it was reported last month that she and Ben have moved into an even bigger and better LA mansion. Formerly owned by Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman, the estate wasn’t even on the market, but it’s rumored to have sold for $60 million!

With multiple buildings on the estate, including a guest house, and a pool, movie theater and more, it’s got to be the perfect spot for the once-and-again couple to move into as they start their new lives as newlyweds.

Wherever she is (it’s sure to be fabulous) and whoever is celebrating with her (Ben, of course), Jennifer is sure to have a wonderful birthday. Thirty years into an amazingly successful career spanning music, television, film, and even the Super Bowl, there’s hardly anything Jennifer could wish for as she blows out her cake! Congrats on the wedding, and happy birthday, Jennifer!

Today is Derek Jeter’s 48th birthday, so let’s take a look at the life and legacy of the MLB Hall of Fame superstar.

Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York

Derek Jeter played for the New York Yankees for his entire 20-year major league career, leaving the team in 2014 as the team’s all-time leader in games played, hits, stolen bases, and more.

Derek played 2,747 games for the Yankees, in the old stadium and the new, which was finished in 2009. It cost $1.5 billion, making it one of the most expensive stadiums ever built. It’s also the sixth-largest capacity stadium. The old stadium, just a block away, was demolished and the land was turned into a park, called Heritage Field.

It was here that Derek won his fifth and final World Series Championship, against the Phillies, in 2009, the first year the stadium was used.

National Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, NY

When Derek was scouted as a teenager, someone famously said “the only place he’s going is Cooperstown.” And in his first year of eligibility, Derek was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, with a nearly-unanimous ballot.

And boy did he deserve it. Derek was an All-Star 14 times, an AL Golden Glove, Rookie of the Year, and so much more.

To any lover of baseball, Cooperstown is the perfect place for the hall of fame and museum, as it’s presumed that baseball originated in the small, northern New York town. Around 1,500 people live in the village, dwarfed by the millions who have visited the venue over the years.

Mariah Carey’s Triplex, New York City, New York

Shortly after blasting into national fame as a starting shortstop for the Yankees, Derek fulfilled a childhood dream when he started dating gorgeous singer Mariah Carey. During the time they dated, Mariah bought units in this NYC building, eventually owning a triplex penthouse.

Derek and Mariah didn’t last, but the successful singer has kept the apartment all these years. It’s one place the entertainer worth more than $300 million has returned to over and over, especially during Covid lockdowns.

Mansion in Tampa, Florida

Derek was not just a superstar on the baseball field, he was a superstar real estate investor, too. He bought a large home in Tampa in 2011, and upgraded and expanded the property until it was a 20,000 mega-mansion fit for a king! With private boat lift, pool right on the ocean, nearly a dozen bedrooms and bathrooms, and more, you’d think Derek and his wife and three girls could stay forever.

For some reason, they moved out, and when Tom Brady came to Tampa, his family rented the estate. In the end, the property was sold for more than $20 million.

High Rise Condo in Coral Gables, Florida

After retiring from the Yankees, Derek became part owner of the Miami Marlins, until he sold his ownership in early 2022. To be close to the team, he bought a unit in a high rise condo building. He also owned a mansion in the area, which he offloaded in 2021.

Also in 2021, he bought some prime real estate in the area for $16.5 million, with the intent to build a dream home for his family from the ground up. When you’re worth nearly $200 million, you can do almost anything!

Derek seems to go from success to success, in both his professional work and personal life. Therefore, he is probably having a fabulous birthday. Let’s wish Mr. November a happy birthday, and hope he knocks the celebration out of the park. Happy birthday, Derek!

Frank Lloyd Wright, born on June 8, 1867,  was one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. In fact, he is so well-regarded that several of his designs are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Even more than 60 years after his passing, his designs are noteworthy and famous. Let’s take a look at some of the most famous and well-regarded buildings constructed by the prolific architect.

Fallingwater, Home in Pennsylvania

Fallingwater is one of the most iconic of Wright’s structures. It was designed to be a weekend retreat, and demonstrates his commitment to the “form follows function” design style. Built in a forest at the top of a waterfall, the home was fully integrated into the surroundings.

The house was used privately for thirty years, then donated to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy which has maintained and repaired the 84 year old structure. It also allows for tours of the site.

Guggenheim Museum, New York City, New York

The Guggenheim Museums are a series of art museums around the world. The Guggenheim in downtown New York City was the first, founded in 1937. The current building was completed in 1959, designed by Wright. Designed as a winding cylinder wider at the top than the bottom, it was described as a “temple of the spirit”.

Exhibits are set on the interior walls, and the patrons walk up a slightly inclining path to the top of the museum, which is covered in a giant skylight, allowing for natural light to flood the gallery. The art museum itself was a work of art.

This was Wright’s last major design, as he passed away a few months before the gallery opened.

Taliesin West, Scottsdale, Arizona

Frank Lloyd Wright designed homes for wealthy clients, but also designed one of his best homes for himself. Taliesin West in Scottsdale was Wright’s winter home and design studio for more than 20 years. It now serves as the headquarters of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.

The 70 year old and his students helped build the structure by hand, using desert materials as much as possible. They even slept in tents during the construction process. One unique feature is a cabaret theater in an irregular hexagon, allowing for nearly perfect acoustics.

After some controversy, Frank was cremated and interred on the grounds along with his third wife.

Robie House, Chicago, Illinois

One of Wright’s earlier works, he designed the single-family home in 1908, from the structure to the furniture. It went through several owners, and was slated for demolition twice, before being preserved by the University of Chicago. It is now one of the World Heritage sites, designated for its importance as an example of the Prairie School architecture style.

In recent years, it has been renovated and restored at a cost of around $11 million. Tours of the estate are available.

Hollyhock House, Los Angeles, CA

Built for an oil heiress, the Hollyhock House in Los Angeles, focused on integrating exterior and interior living spaces. It ran into cost overruns and design disputes, so Wright was removed from the project before it was finished. However, his influence is still felt throughout the structure, and the home is a World Heritage site.

The residence is now part of the Barnsdall Art Park, and is available to tour. Wright’s creative and innovative designs were not ideal for southern California’s weather, including heavy rains, and the structure was not earthquake-proof. It has been reinforced significantly over the years, while maintaining a commitment to the original design and aesthetic.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s prolific work spread from coast to coast, and some of his most renowned works are available for viewing by the public. If you ever have a chance to check out a design, be sure to add it to your list. You won’t regret it!

It’s been quite a month for Wynonna, with her mother’s tragic passing on April 30, and her induction in the Country Music Hall of Fame on May 1. And today she turns 58. She might be glad to start a new year, so let’s take a moment to learn about this amazing woman, and wish her the best year yet!

Let’s take a look at Wynonna’s life and career, and her amazing family.

Wynonna Judd’s Home, Lieper’s Fork, TN

When she recognized her daughter’s undeniable musical talent, Naomi decided to form a group with Wynonna and see where they ended up. The pair became a country music sensation, touring all over, selling out concerts, and hitting the charts.

After her mother stepped away for health reasons, Wynonna kept on singing. She has managed an amazing solo career, being in the music business for more than 30 years and touring all around the world. Even though she’s worth more than $20 million, she still calls Tennessee home, and spends much of her time there.

In 2006, she built a “dream home” on 500 acres near her mom and sister outside Lieper’s Fork, Tennessee. The farm was even the site of her 2012 wedding to Cactus Moser.

Naomi Judd’s Home, Lieper’s Fork, TN

Naomi lived all around the US, from Kentucky to Los Angeles, and had amazing stories to tell! She was even Elvis Presley’s personal nurse for a time back in the day. She ended up back in the south in the 1980s, and fell in love with the land outside Nashville in an area called Lieper’s Fork. She bought land in the area, and has even gotten her daughters to move close by. All told, she and the family own more than 1,000 acres.

Her house, nicknamed Peaceful Valley, has 20 rooms spread over 8,000 square feet. It really is a peaceful retreat, and has amenities to make life easier. That includes an elevator, and even a small kitchenette in the main bathroom!

Ashley Judd’s Home, Lieper’s Fork, TN

Beauty and an ability to entertain must run in the family, because Ashley Judd became a major Hollywood actress in the late 1990s and 2000s. She was at one point the highest-grossing actress in the business.

But she’s not just a pretty face on a screen, she’s also an environmental activist and global humanitarian. She boldly advocates on behalf of women who have been sexually assaulted, having been assaulted herself, including by Harvey Weinstein.

Her home in Lieper’s Fork is close to her mom’s house, where she lives these days. It’s a good thing she’s so close to family; in 2021 she suffered a major leg injury while in Africa and has relied on them to help her heal mentally and physically.

Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, TN

Playing at the Grand Ole Opry is nothing short of a career highlight for any country musician, and Wynonna is no exception. The theater is more than just a structure, it’s a status symbol, a club, a career achievement. The new theater in downtown Nashville hosts weekly shows as well as the radio program that got the whole thing started.

The new venue opened in 1974, and seats more than 4,000 people. It suffered from flooding in 2010, and had to alter its performance plans during Covid, but things are back up and running at the Opry.

Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN

The original home of the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville is still a great place to perform for country musicians. Wynonna has performed here both with her mom Naomi, and on her own.

The Ryman serves as backup to the new Opry, and hosts a weekly program there in addition to other performances at the bigger venue.

Wynonna has seen it all. From a transient childhood to young fame with her mom, to solo success and challenges along the way, she has persevered. She has worked to resolve personal and family struggles, and things are looking up for her!

So, on her birthday, let’s take a second and send her good thoughts and wishes for a great day and a wonderful year. Happy Birthday, Wynonna!