Ellen DeGeneres Strikes Gold Again: Sells L.A. Megamansion for $96M, Nets a $26M Profit

Photo by(Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney; Realtor.com)

Ellen DeGeneres, the beloved comedian and TV personality, has once again proven her prowess in the real estate world, selling her stunning Los Angeles cliffside megamansion for an eye-watering $96 million. This deal not only marks a significant milestone in the luxury real estate market but also lands DeGeneres a hefty $26 million profit, adding to her already impressive real estate portfolio.

A High-Stakes Purchase

In 2022, DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, began assembling their dream estate in Carpinteria, an upscale coastal town near Santa Barbara. They first acquired a five-bedroom, eight-bathroom Tuscan-style mansion on a 3.44-acre plot for $41.7 million. The property, with its luxurious design and prime location, was already a gem, but the couple didn’t stop there. They then purchased an adjacent 6.58-acre plot for $28.2 million, expanding their estate to a breathtaking 10 acres perched atop a bluff with panoramic ocean views.

This ambitious acquisition quickly made headlines, being hailed as the most expensive real estate transaction ever recorded in Santa Barbara County at the time.

A Masterpiece of Design

The sprawling estate, which has now been sold for $96 million, is nothing short of a masterpiece. Exclusive photos shared with the Wall Street Journal showcase the home’s exquisite interiors, which feature an open-plan kitchen and living area, high ceilings, exposed wooden beams, and elegant red brick accents. The design blends rustic charm with modern luxury, making it a true sanctuary.

Photo by(Realtor.com)

A Legacy in Real Estate

This sale is just the latest in a series of high-profile real estate moves by DeGeneres and de Rossi. Earlier this year, the couple sold another luxurious mansion in Montecito for $32 million. Though significantly less than its $46.5 million listing price, the sale still reflects the couple’s knack for making profitable deals in the competitive California real estate market.

The buyer of both the Carpinteria estate and the Montecito mansion is reported to be billionaire mining tycoon Robert Friedland, a testament to the high level of interest DeGeneres’ properties attract.

A Lifelong Passion

Ellen DeGeneres’ journey into real estate began long before she became a television icon. In 2011, she revealed her deep-rooted passion for homes, a fascination that started in her childhood when her family frequently moved and rented houses. This longing for stability and a place to call home fueled her desire to buy properties once she started earning significant money from her career.

"We never had a house when I was growing up," DeGeneres shared with Architectural Digest. "The first thing I did when I made money was buy a house. And then another one. And another one."

With her talk show now behind her, DeGeneres has found more time to indulge in her real estate ventures. In 2022 alone, she bought four properties and sold three, further cementing her status as a savvy real estate mogul.

Family Support

Beyond her personal investments, DeGeneres has extended her real estate expertise to her family. Rather than letting her siblings navigate the housing market alone, she’s provided financial support, helping them secure their own homes. She assisted her brother, Vance DeGeneres, and his wife, Joanna, in purchasing a $1.4 million house in Sherman Oaks and helped de Rossi's brother, Michael Rogers, and his wife, Casey, buy a $4.9 million home in Santa Barbara.