Zsa Zsa Gabor’s canary-yellow former Bel Air mansion sold to diamond mogul billionaire for $16M

The brightly-colored Bel Air estate which once belonged to Hollywood star and socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor’s has sold for $16million. 

Gabor – known for her femme fatale roles, many marriages and arrest for slapping a police officer – bought the home in 1973 and lived there until her death in 2016, at age 99. 

During her decades living in the estate, she reportedly played host to luminaries including Queen Elizabeth II, presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, and actress Elizabeth Taylor.

The house itself was also used as Liberace’s fictional home in the 2012 biopic, Behind the Candelabra. 

And Hollywood folklore suggests it may have previously been owned by Elvis Presley, although his connection to the mansion is debated. 

Ivanhoe Mines founder and billionaire Robert Friedland – a diamond and precious metal mogul – closed on the sunny, French Regency mansion last week, Variety reported.     

Zsa Zsa Gabor’s former Bel Air estate (pictured) was recently purchased by diamond mogul Robert Friedland for $16million 

Gabor bought the property in 1973 and lived there until she died at 99 in 2016. Gabor is pictured lounging by the pool in 1990

Gabor bought the property in 1973 and lived there until she died at 99 in 2016. Gabor is pictured lounging by the pool in 1990

Gabor's home, as it was decorated for her 98th birthday party in 2015. Gabor bought the home for $245,000 in 1973

Gabor’s home, as it was decorated for her 98th birthday party in 2015. Gabor bought the home for $245,000 in 1973

Friedland reportedly purchased the home for $4.8million less than the $20.8million its previous owner paid for it back in 2018. 

That person, whose name was not revealed, apparently never moved into the mansion and left it empty for more than two years. 

Gabor was said to have paid $245,000 for the 6,400-square foot home, which sits on a 1.1-acre lot, when she bought it in 1973. 

The actress’ June 2016 obituary noted that the villa had been built by Howard Hughes and was, at one point, owned by Presley.

But Variety noted that Hughes had only leased the home in the late 1960s, and Presley’s connection to the home is disputed, according to Forbes

When Gabor lived in the home, she added a second story to it, listing agent Dan Beder of Sotheby’s International Realty told real estate site Mansion Global.

Beder said that the add-on level includes a bar, grand living room and terrace, making it ‘like a Monte Carlo nightclub with jetliner views.’

While living in the home, Gabor was said to have played host to Queen Elizabeth II and presidents Reagan and Bush Sr

While living in the home, Gabor was said to have played host to Queen Elizabeth II and presidents Reagan and Bush Sr

The French Regency-styled house features a bright yellow facade and red outdoor stairs. It also has a mansard roof

The French Regency-styled house features a bright yellow facade and red outdoor stairs. It also has a mansard roof 

While living in the home, Gabor filled it with antiques, statues and other dramatic decorations fitting of her Hollywood status

While living in the home, Gabor filled it with antiques, statues and other dramatic decorations fitting of her Hollywood status

Gabor had a golden piano in the house (pictured), which is seen in 2015 during her 98th birthday press conference

Gabor had a golden piano in the house (pictured), which is seen in 2015 during her 98th birthday press conference 

Gabor's home decorations included glamorous portraits, paintings and antique furniture. The house has a formal living room, dining room and family room, as well as three guest suites

Gabor’s home decorations included glamorous portraits, paintings and antique furniture. The house has a formal living room, dining room and family room, as well as three guest suites

A view of the pool from inside the mansion. Outside the home, there's a brick patio, cabana and two motor courts

A view of the pool from inside the mansion. Outside the home, there’s a brick patio, cabana and two motor courts

One of the opulently-decorated bathrooms in Gabor's home while she lived there. The toilet appears to be disguised as a chair

One of the opulently-decorated bathrooms in Gabor’s home while she lived there. The toilet appears to be disguised as a chair

Gabor's kitchen is a vintage masterpiece, which doesn't appear to have been modernized too far beyond its original design

Gabor’s kitchen is a vintage masterpiece, which doesn’t appear to have been modernized too far beyond its original design

Also inside the home – which is accessible through large gates and a long driveway – are formal dining and family rooms, three guest suites and a retro breakfast room. Outside, there’s two motor courts, a cabana on a brick patio and a pool.  

When she lived there, Gabor filled it with elaborate furniture including a golden piano, opulent sculptures, antiques and clothes – lots of them.

Her obituary made note of the fact that her closet – which measured ’30 feet long, 12 feet deep and 14 feet high’ – held 5,000 items of clothing. She was said to have changed up its contents by donating much of it, save her favorite gowns, and getting new clothes.   

 It’s unclear what new owner Friedland intends to do with the estate – restore it or replace it – as the property was put on the market noting that buyers could ‘tear it down and build a new iconic Bel Air trophy property.’ 

In January 2020, Friedland paid $26million for a modern, two-house compound above Sunset Strip. He and his wife also have a luxury apartment in Singapore and a clifftop villa in Thailand.

The latest sale represents the third time Gabor’s house has been sold since she died. 

Gabor's house was once used as Liberace's fictional home in the 2012 biopic, Behind the Candelabra. A view from inside

Gabor’s house was once used as Liberace’s fictional home in the 2012 biopic, Behind the Candelabra. A view from inside

One of the Gabor's bathrooms, filled with vintage-looking design elements. She lived in the home from 1973 to 2016

One of the Gabor’s bathrooms, filled with vintage-looking design elements. She lived in the home from 1973 to 2016

Another vintage-looking bathroom. It's unknown if Friedland, the new homeowner, will renovate the home or tear it down

Another vintage-looking bathroom. It’s unknown if Friedland, the new homeowner, will renovate the home or tear it down 

The terrace that Gabor added to the home, which was described as being 'like a Monte Carlo nightclub with jetliner views'

The terrace that Gabor added to the home, which was described as being ‘like a Monte Carlo nightclub with jetliner views’

The home sits on a 1.1-acre lot in Bel Air and has spectacular views of the city below. A view of the pool against the evening sky

The home sits on a 1.1-acre lot in Bel Air and has spectacular views of the city below. A view of the pool against the evening sky

The person who bought Gabor's home (shown) in 2018 for $20.8million never moved in, leaving it vacant while they owned it

The person who bought Gabor’s home (shown) in 2018 for $20.8million never moved in, leaving it vacant while they owned it