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Elvis Partied Here: Inside the Sale of Zsa Zsa Gabor’s Epic Hollywood Home

B-movie starlet and socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor never shied away from the spotlight during her life, so it makes sense that her sprawling home for four decades would continue to make headlines after her death. The Hungarian celeb’s legendary Bel Air, CA, mansion was just listed for sale, and in true Gabor fashion, it ain’t cheap, with an asking price of $23.45 million.

Gabor bought the 9,000-square-foot, six-bedroom, six-bath French-style estate in 1973 for $250,000—a serious chunk of change back in the recession-plagued 1970s.The place boasted a spacious pool and patio, as well as breathtaking views of the Los Angeles skyline and the Pacific Ocean.

Even before Gabor moved in, the place had star power to spare, as a former rental of Elvis Presley. But she quickly kicked things up another notch by hosting lavish parties attended by guests including Frank Sinatra, Ronald Reagan, and Queen Elizabeth II. 

The house has also served as the backdrop for at least two major films: HBO’s 2013 Liberace biopic “Behind the Candelabra,” and Ben Affleck‘s Oscar-winning 2012 film, “Argo.” 

In 2013, Gabor, who married nine times (including to hotel magnate Conrad Hilton), sold the home to a developer on the condition that she could remain living in it until her death; she died of a heart attack at the estate three years later. The developer then sold the space in May 2017 for $10.4 million.

Even for all its Hollywood history, the $23.45 million price tag has raised some Botoxed eyebrows. Is the property really worth that much?

Compared to some of the properties nearby, the place actually seems like something of a bargain. Just down the road is the Chartwell Estate, better known as the set of the long-running 1960s hit sitcom “The Beverly Hillbillies.”  In 2017, this megamansion was listed as the country’s most expensive home, when it hit the market at $350 million.

Also nearby is the mansion known as the “Billionaire,” a 12-bedroom, 21-bath behemoth that made a splash when it was listed in 2017 for $250 million. (The price has since been slashed to a cool $188 million).

While Gabor’s mansion may in fact be reasonably priced, there’s one thing that could derail a potential sale: The house has lasted through years of extravagant parties, and the wear and tear shows.

“Buyers of estates this valuable expect amenities to match their personal idea of perfection,” says Jordan Barkin, a real estate agent with Harry Norman Realtors in Atlanta, GA. “I would expect to see updates in both the kitchen and bathrooms.”

In fact, a complete overhaul seems so much in the cards that the estate actually comes with proposed blueprints that would nearly triple its footprint to 24,020 square feet. The plans, by architectural firm Harrison Design, include an upgrade to seven bedrooms, 10 bathrooms and a whopping 4,100-square-foot garage.

Who knows? Perhaps even bigger, better parties are in store for this piece of Hollywood history. We’re sure Zsa Zsa would approve.

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