From multimillion-dollar listings to major price cuts, celebrities continued to make headlines in the luxury housing market throughout May
POMPANO BEACH, Fla.— Hollywood stars, music icons, and television personalities dominated luxury real estate headlines in May, with several high-profile properties hitting the market and others selling at significant discounts, according to the latest roundup from TopTenRealEstateDeals.com.
Leading the month’s celebrity real estate news was Angelina Jolie, who listed her longtime Los Angeles estate for $29.9 million as she reportedly prepares for a future move to Europe. The actress and filmmaker has previously stated that she planned to leave the United States once her youngest children reached adulthood, and the sale of her historic Los Feliz property appears to signal that transition may be approaching.
The six-bedroom estate, formerly owned by legendary filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille, sits on nearly two acres and features views of the Hollywood Hills and Griffith Observatory. Designed in 1913, the property includes a guest studio, tea house, workout facility, pool house, and extensive grounds.
Meanwhile, actress and singer Selena Gomez also joined the growing list of celebrity sellers, placing her Los Angeles home on the market for $6.5 million. The 11,500-square-foot property was originally built for rock icon Tom Petty and was purchased by Gomez in 2020. Gomez and her husband, music producer Benny Blanco, already own a $35 million mansion in Beverly Hills, making the sale part of a broader reshuffling of the couple’s real estate portfolio.
Television star Debra Messing made headlines with the listing of her Upper East Side apartment in New York City’s Carnegie Hill neighborhood. The “Will & Grace” actress is offering the expansive Art Deco residence, originally built in 1928, which features three bedrooms, four full bathrooms, a library, and classic architectural details including a wood-burning fireplace and French doors opening to a Juliet balcony.
Several celebrity properties also highlighted the challenges facing today’s luxury housing market.
Grammy-winning artist Lizzo finally sold her contemporary Beverly Hills-area home after months on the market and a substantial price reduction. Originally listed for $16 million, the property ultimately sold for $11.15 million, representing a loss of nearly $4 million compared to her 2022 purchase price.
Singer and songwriter Paul Anka similarly reduced expectations for his Southern California estate, relisting his French-inspired home in Sherwood Country Club for $8.99 million after initially seeking $10 million. The nearly 8,000-square-foot residence sits on almost six acres and offers golf course and mountain views.
The market also saw several notable celebrity-associated properties return to public attention.
A Manhattan apartment once owned by music legend David Bowie has been listed for $4.95 million. Located in the historic Essex House overlooking Central Park, the Art Deco residence was home to Bowie and his wife, supermodel Iman, and offers sweeping park views along with luxury hotel-style amenities.
Another iconic New York property with musical roots has also returned to the market. A penthouse formerly owned by Sting is being offered for $45 million, down from a previous asking price. The expansive residence features dramatic spiral staircases and panoramic views of Central Park and the Hudson River.
Elsewhere, singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright has listed his distinctive Storybook-style home in Los Angeles’ Laurel Canyon neighborhood for $2.3 million. Built in 1926, the whimsical residence includes fairytale-inspired architectural details such as turrets and stained-glass windows.
Veteran television personality Kathie Lee Gifford is also drawing attention with two luxury listings. Her Florida property in the exclusive Ocean Reef Club community is currently on the market for $10.5 million, while her sprawling Connecticut estate carries a remarkable $100 million asking price. If sold near that figure, it would rank among the most expensive residential sales in Connecticut history.
The roundup also highlights a broader trend in luxury real estate: celebrity ownership alone does not guarantee a quick sale. High-profile figures including Jennifer Lopez, Alec Baldwin, and Billy Joel have all spent extended periods attempting to sell multimillion-dollar properties, underscoring the increasingly selective nature of the high-end housing market.
As interest rates, inventory levels, and buyer expectations continue to evolve, celebrity real estate remains a closely watched segment of the luxury market, offering insight into broader trends while providing a glimpse into the lifestyles—and investment decisions—of some of the world’s most recognizable names.
