In addition to being one the most-recognizable homes from classic American television, “The Beverly Hillbillies” mansion was also once the priciest home in California. And in the country, at the time. The mansion, known as the Chartwell estate, first received notoriety when it had a starring role in the beloved sitcom “The Beverly Hillbillies.”
Located in the exclusive Los Angeles neighborhood of Bel Air, the show featured the massive estate in the family-favorite sitcom that ran from 1962 to 1971. In the show, the unsophisticated yet beloved Clampett family moves into the home after Jed, the Clampett patriarch, struck oil.
After selling his land, he packs up all of his belongings and his family, and together they move to Beverly Hills. For nine seasons, viewers would get to watch the Clampett family’s hilarity ensue as they make the transition from the rural Ozarks to the ritzy city.
The 25,000-square-foot, French neoclassical home was built in 1933 and designed by Sumner Spaulding. The grounds include lavish gardens, fountains, grassy lawns, a 75-foot swimming pool, and a guest house.
Media Mogul Becomes New Owner of ‘The Beverly Hillbillies’ Mansion
The late billionaire Jerrold Perrenchio, the chairman of Univision, was the previous owner. Perrenchio also helped create sitcoms such as “Sanford and Son” and “The Facts of Life.” He passed away in May 2017. Now media mogul Lachlan Murdoch, Rupert Murdoch’s son, is the new owner. He bought the home in 2019 for around $150 million.
Chartwell is the second most expensive home ever sold in the US. The $238 million condominiums in New York City bought by billionaire Ken Griffin is the only sale to surpass the estate. Since 2016, six homes in Los Angeles have sold for $100 million or more.
The estate features 18 bedrooms, 24 bathrooms, a ballroom, and a five-bedroom guesthouse. Murdoch now has panoramic views over the city in addition to the Pacific Ocean. There’s also a tennis court, underground car garage, 12,000-bottle wine cellar, and stunning gardens with a spectacular fountain. A secret tunnel runs from the basement of the home to the swimming pool.
According to Forbes, the 18th century-style estate was first listed in 2017 for a staggering $350 million. The owners later reduced it to $245 million. In June of 2019, they took off another $50 million and finally settled on $195 million. As for taxes, it costs Murdoch a pretty penny. According to the LA Times, the estate carries one of the highest tax bills in Los Angeles at $1.3 million.
