Five of the Most Expensive Malibu Estates Sold Recently

Malibu, the famed Southern California beach community renowned for its celebrity heritage, is now drawing an entirely new breed of wealthy and famous to its shores. This market is seeing more extravagant mansion listings than ever before; here are five of Malibu's most expensive homes that have recently sold.

1. David Saperstein

Radio mogul David Saperstein, former founder of Metro Networks, is no stranger to the high-priced luxury real estate market. In 2014, he and his former spouse Suzanne built an amazing Palace of Versailles-inspired Beverly Hills mega-mansion called Fleur de Lys which sold for $102 million in 2014.

In 2018, he sold Hummingbird Nest Ranch, a 123-acre equestrian estate in Simi Valley, California for $33 million. Additionally, his Malibu residence is up for sale at an impressive $8 million price tag.

The 12-bedroom, 14-bathroom home sits on 2.6 acres of oceanfront land in Malibu and overlooks Paradise Cove beach. It comes complete with a 20-seat movie theater, gym and 40-camera security system.

It also boasts a 4,000 bottle wine room and ballroom that can seat 650 guests. Other features include a massage room, beauty salon and 22-karat gold-leaf crown moldings.

He is a trial lawyer who represents clients in criminal, civil and appeals courts. His practice encompasses complex legal matters such as serious felonies, misdemeanors and intoxicated driving cases.

His most recent endeavor has been advocating for the religious rights of Jews in America. From December 12, 2014 to February 21, 2015, he served as Ambassador for International Religious Freedom of the United States.

When not exploring Malibu or working at the State Department, Hillevi Svensson can usually be found back home in Wisconsin with his wife Hillevi. Together they have two children; Jacob is married and lives with his wife in New York while Benny attends University of Michigan.

2. Kenny Rogers

Kenny Rogers was an iconic singer-songwriter who spent six decades making a name for himself in country music. He served as mentor to generations of country artists and had an immense impact on the industry. Furthermore, Kenny Rogers achieved success as a businessman, restaurateur and renowned photographer.

After a career that began in the 1950s, Rogers felt his singing was losing its impact on the charts. So he ventured into other fields such as acting.

He began his acting career with television movies such as 1980's The Gambler and made several more. Afterwards, he featured in two country-themed biopics on television: Big Dreams and Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story (1995) and Get to the Heart: The Barbara Mandrell Story (1997).

Rogers didn't reach the country charts again, but he continued to release albums almost annually. In 1998 he established his own label Dreamcatcher Entertainment and in 1999 hit it big with "The Greatest," a song about life from a child's perspective seen through baseball.

In 2013, Rogers published his autobiography, Luck or Something Like It, and received a lifetime achievement award at the CMA Awards. Soon after, his major-label release You Can't Make Old Friends marked his first major-label release in seven years; 17 years later he recorded Once Again It's Christmas as his first holiday album since 1997.

In his later years, Rogers dedicated himself to charity work, concerts, Kenny Rogers' Roasters fast-food chain restaurant, movies and photography - leading him into a hectic lifestyle. Fortunately he enjoyed a long and contented marriage with wife Wanda Miller; they had twin sons Justin and Jordan whom he loved dearly; thus he had an abundance of family love and support throughout life.

3. Sheldon Adelson

Sheldon Adelson is one of the richest people in the world. He owns numerous casinos in Las Vegas and was the top Republican donor to President Trump's campaign.

He owns the Review-Journal, Nevada's largest newspaper. The sale of the paper to his family late last year caused much consternation within the newsroom.

According to The New York Times, Adelson was the biggest donor to President Donald Trump's campaign, having contributed more than $25 million.

He was an enthusiastic supporter of right-wing causes, particularly Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hawkish foreign policy. Furthermore, he contributed to a super PAC working to keep Republicans in control of Congress.

Adelson was a man of considerable wealth, yet still dedicated to his family. He and Miriam, an acclaimed Israeli businesswoman, had two sons who are now in college.

The Adelsons have a longstanding legacy of generosity in Las Vegas, where they own both Sands Casino Resort and Venetian Resort Hotel. Over the years, they've donated millions to schools, medical research centers and many other causes.

They've even sponsored a free Israeli newspaper that is widely read across the country. And even after Hurricane Maria and a global pandemic devastated their casino empire, they remained committed to keeping their employees paid and insured.

Adelson was particularly proud of his work establishing a free school in Jerusalem for children from low socio-economic backgrounds, as well as leading the reopening of the U.S. Embassy there - an initiative he had spearheaded with his wife. They also funded the construction of a new hospital in Las Vegas which is now its largest employer.

4. Peter Morton

Peter Morton is an American businessman best known for founding Hard Rock Cafe and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. With a net worth of $800 million, Morton has made numerous charitable donations to various causes.

He was born in Chicago on August 7, 1947 and married model Paulene Stone in 1978; however, they divorced shortly thereafter. From this union he has two children.

Forbes magazine estimates his net worth to be approximately $800 million. His primary residence is a 13,000 square foot mansion in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles.

Morton has acquired and sold multiple homes throughout Los Angeles, including one in Malibu which he recently sold for $110 million to billionaire Michael and Iris Smith. Additionally, he has amassed property across America as well as owning a substantial estate in New York State.

Gimme Shelter has learned that Morton is the owner of a lavish $35 million Hamptons estate. He has spent three decades amassing it. Built in 1926 by Roger Bullard - architect of Maidstone Club fame - this five-bedroom stucco-and-shingled house offers breathtaking ocean views from its 1.51 acres of land.

The compound consists of two buildings, the main home and guesthouse that sit atop a ridge with stunning ocean views. Both residences boast wrap-around balconies and automated shutters for added security.

It also boasts a swimming pool and an expansive courtyard garden filled with native beach landscaping. Wood-plank walkways connect the buildings to the oceanfront for an absolutely breathtaking view - this should be on everyone's wish list! This sophisticated yet elegant beach enclave should not be missed!

5. Ted Waitt

Malibu's real estate market continues to rebound after the devastating Woolsey Fire. Many long-time residents are moving out, while developers build luxurious mansions for motivated billionaires like Gateways founder Ted Waitt who recently paid $34 million for fashion designer James Perse's Malibu estate.

This property is a single-story contemporary situated on 1.25 acres with stunning ocean views from inside, deck and grounds. Previously owned by Perse and his wife Brandi Perse, an equestrienne, the house can now be enjoyed by others.

Property records show the estate has been sold to actor Tom Waitt and his wife, former model Michele Merkin. This marks the most expensive deal in Malibu since WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum paid $100 million for Ron Meyer's Paradise Cove estate last year.

Waitt is a multi-millionaire who has dedicated much of his wealth to ocean conservation projects. As chairman and founder of the Waitt Foundation, an organization which funds partnerships and initiatives with two institutes dedicated to ocean preservation initiatives, Waitt has made ocean conservation his passion.

His passion for scientific exploration and discovery has also led him to serve on numerous boards, such as the National Geographic Society and Salk Institute for Biological Studies. Additionally, he is a founding member of the Blue Prosperity Coalition--an alliance of ocean funders working to aid governments in creating marine protected areas.

Through his efforts, the Waitt Foundation has had a profound effect on the world. Its grants and partnerships support ocean conservation initiatives in countries like Antigua and Barbuda, Curacao, Montserrat and Tonga.