You might know Reese Witherspoon as the talented actor behind such hits as Legally Blonde and Wild, but the successful silver screen star and TV producer is also a pretty savvy property magnate. One of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood, she’s invested her money wisely in properties around the US, from Nashville to Bel Air and Brentwood. Now, as she navigates her recent divorce, it's emerged that the star and her ex-husband have been quietly selling off their joint properties since 2020, plus she made a significant real estate investment when they separated. Click or scroll on and let's take a tour of Reese's impressive property empire...
The actress is hoping for a smooth separation after she and her second husband, talent agent Jim Toth (pictured), announced their decision to divorce in March 2023, just days before their 12th wedding anniversary. The couple bought and sold numerous properties during their marriage but signed a prenup in 2011, which should make the division of assets easier. In a preemptive move, it also seems that the pair took precautions to liquidate some of their shared property years ago.
The Big Little Lies actress, who is worth around $430 million (£344m) according to Forbes, and Hollywood agent Toth have flipped a couple of properties in the past year alone, but have vowed to “move forward with deep love, kindness and mutual respect for everything we have created together” and put their son Tennessee James first in their divorce proceedings. The actress also has two grown-up children from her marriage to Ryan Phillippe.
However, according to US Weekly, the couple has been quietly dividing their assets and preparing for “the next chapter” for several years. Witherspoon sold her media company Hello Sunshine, which was co-owned by Toth, for $900 million (£724m) in August 2021 and the pair have offloaded properties in Malibu, LA and Nashville. A source reportedly told the publication: "They decided their marriage wasn’t going to last forever and that they should have a plan for splitting up their assets that wouldn’t destroy what they built together". But Reese's flair for real estate goes way back. So, let’s retrace her steps on the proverbial property ladder…
Reese's childhood house in Nashville had a big influence on the kind of home and home life she went on to create for herself and her family. She was strongly influenced by her grandparents, and shared this snap of herself at the property where they spent many years, remembering her happy evenings after school spent there.
Reese began her property portfolio with a mansion in Bel Air, purchased with her first husband Ryan Phillippe before their eventual split in 2006. Bought for $3.3 million (£2.6m) in 2001, the characterful estate was sold by the former couple in 2004 for $4.5 million (£3.6m). It returned to the market again for a cool $16 million (£12.9m) in 2017.
The home has a historic feel, despite only being built in 1969, boasting plenty of amazing architectural features. Designed by respected architect Gerard Colcord, it features oak floors, cathedral-style ceilings, skylights and open fireplaces throughout.
Pictured here, the kitchen-diner is bright and airy, decked out with a breakfast bar and lantern-style pendant lights. The house is part of a one-acre plot with a garden, patio and barbecue area, as well as its own swimming pool and spa, a garage and a separate guest house.
Outside, you can see the home's stunning outdoor pool, with Greek-style columns tucked in amongst mature oak and sycamore trees. An atmospheric garden lighting scheme sets the scene for a tranquil evening swim. Encircled by foliage, the property would've offered the former couple plenty of privacy.
For much of the 2000s, Reese was steadily buying up real estate and adding to what would become known as her 'mega-mansion' in Brentwood Circle, a private gated community in a fashionable part of the Bay Area in California, near Bel Air. The star eventually bought three neighbouring properties, including this single-storey ranch for $3 million (£2.4m).
Reese bought the main property in her Brentwood collection in 2003 for $4.7 million (£3.7m). In 2009, by now divorced from Ryan Phillippe, she added the adjacent property to her estate, picking up the home next door for $3.3 million (£2.6m). She demolished the existing residence and landscaped the land into a new backyard for the first house.
The final piece of the puzzle came when she bought this third and final property, featuring exposed stonework and pine beams. This sale brought her total spend to $11 million (£8.8m) on the combined 1.32 acres.
Then surprisingly, Reese and her second husband Jim Toth, who she married in 2011, put the entire estate up for sale in 2014 for $14 million (£11.3m). Ultimately they ended up splitting the properties up again, selling the side plot first, then unloading the rest of the compound for just over $10 million (£8m).
In August 2010, Reese bought a ranch house elsewhere in Los Angeles from actor Steven Seagal for $6.9 million (£5.5m). The 2.53-acre estate in the Mandeville Canyon area and previously belonged to actor Tom Selleck. Reese had the existing house and outbuildings razed but later sold on the vacant plot in September 2012 with an asking price of $8 million (£6.4m).
Mere months before the Brentwood 'mega-mansion' estate sold, Reese also put her other incredible Californian property, the luxurious ranch-style Ojai estate, on the market too. This was a little surprising as it's where Reese married her second husband, Jim Toth, in March 2011 and it led to speculation that the pair, who have since announced their divorce, planned to move away from California.
In a stunning spread on the property site Elle Decor, Reese said: "It's meditative and restorative. As soon as I drive through the gate, I relax. The air is fresh, the phone isn't ringing, you can't access email. Time slows down. Within an hour I'm lying on that couch taking a big fat nap. It's like having a little bit of Tennessee in California."
Reese bought the rustic retreat for $4 million (£3.2m) in 2006. She had originally wanted $10 million (£8m) for the estate, but dropped the price after over a year on the market to $5.9 million (£4.7m), eventually selling up at the end of 2013 for $5 million (£4m).
Built by acclaimed architect Wallace Neff as a farmhouse for industrialist Edward Drummond Libbey, it was later transformed into a family home. Reese bought it from interior designer Kathryn Ireland and added a few modern accessories of her own. No stranger to interior design herself, she kept its century-old fixtures, hardware and original stonework intact.
As Reese and Jim quietly sold off their California properties, it was expected that they would move back to Tennessee and return to Reese's Southern roots. Adding fuel to the fire, the pair purchased this magnificent fixer-upper mansion in Nashville in 2014.
Reese and Jim bought the four-bedroom property for $2 million (£1.6m) and went on to sell it in 2019 for $2.5 million (£2m). It sits at the end of a long driveway and includes more than six acres of land in the upscale Oak Hill area.
There’s a small poolside guesthouse on the estate, separated from the main property by a stream. While it might look beautiful, the structure needed significant renovations to bring it up to habitable standards.
In addition to properties Reese owned before their marriage, Jim owned a swanky bachelor pad. In 2015, after carrying out a number of renovations, he put the house up for sale. Jim had owned the home for nearly 10 years, purchasing it in 2006 for $2 million (£1.6m).
The two-bedroom house was modernised before hitting the market, with grey oak floors added and modern fittings and fixtures. It makes for a secluded escape, with large windows letting in plenty of natural light, while roomy terraces overlook a small but private backyard, complete with a built-in firepit and spa.
The pair refreshed the house and put it on the market for $1.6 million (£1.3m) – notably less than Toth originally paid for it and not taking into account the spend on improvements and additions.
Here, floor-to-ceiling glass doors lead out to the yard from the living room. It's clear that the home would've attracted plenty of buyers, but it's likely the pair dropped the price in order to secure a quick sale because they had their sights set on another California property...
In 2014, the couple spent $12.7 million (£10.1m) on this palatial property in Pacific Palisades, a high-end neighbourhood tucked between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean in California.
Bought in the same month as her Nashville fixer-upper mansion, the house décor here also seemed in need of Reese's magic touch. However, the five-bedroom, five-bathroom house was far less of a project to undertake and the family remained at the property in California for some years.
The sprawling grounds were steeped in potential and featured flower beds, a patio and mature trees. Prior to Reese's tenure, the home was previously purchased in December 2012 for $4.9 million (£3.9m) by award-winning architect Ken Ungar.
Ken worked his magic on the property and created an estate worthy of an A-lister, taking the outdated buildings and turning them into something worthy of the cool $12.7 million (£10.1m) price tag. Not a bad little profit there.
Reese added her impactful yet relaxed design aesthetic to the property, opting for an imposing navy front door. The bold statement is flanked by intricate white window detailing – now that's how to create a grand welcome!
Inside, the entrance hall is bathed in light and decked out in a calming palette of soft neutral tones. A large blue-grey rug offered a warm welcome, while grey patterned wallpaper added character to the space.
The blue-grey scheme is continued throughout the house and into the luxurious kitchen. Cabinetry in the same fresh tone is accessorised with gold handles for a luxurious finish. Reese used large glass jars with woven lids as stylish storage solutions for pasta, sugar and flour.
White subway tiles add a crisp, contemporary touch, while a large range cooker is set into an alcove in the cabinetry. A sprawling white kitchen island offered casual dining space for Reese and her family, as well as ample room for food prep.
Reese's living room was unsurprisingly chic, with blue-grey patterned cushions, knitted throws and rose gold accessories. We particularly love the ornate clock, which was raised on a makeshift plinth made from art books.
A keen promoter of books and reading, Reese designed the living area with an entire bookcase wall. The room also had a grand piano and two large, comfy sofas where she liked to curl up with a blanket and a good read.
A roaring fire is an essential addition to any family home and paired with a large patterned rug, you just can't go wrong. The ornate fireguard mirrored the striking window detailing around the front door, creating a sense of continuity throughout the house.
Reese's taste in all things seems to be impeccable – including interior design! She often posts images on her Instagram feed of gorgeous furnishings from her own homeware and lifestyle company, Draper James, in situ in her own properties.
During her time at the Pacific Palisades house, her bedroom was nothing short of dreamy, with a light wood headboard inlaid with blue and white patterned fabric, channelling a breezy seaside aesthetic. Crisp bedsheets boarded with a funky Celtic motif added a cool twist to the classic coastal scheme.
Befitting of a Hollywood star, Reese's walk-in wardrobe at the house was nothing short of fabulous. Teal and light grey wallpaper in a bold botanical print was the perfect backdrop to showcase her many awards gowns, while an upholstered sofa in the same palette offered an ideal spot to kick back and contemplate her clothing options.
Outside, the elegant estate has a tranquil swimming pool and plenty of lush green grounds for the family to enjoy. It provided an idyllic setting for one of the star's 4th July parties, where she hung cute holiday banners from the trees and donned a patriotic red, white and blue outfit.
Without listing it on the market, Witherspoon was able to sell their home in April 2020 for $17 million (£13.6m) in an all-cash deal to a buyer who required no mortgage – making a nice profit against the $12.7 million (£10.1m) she originally purchased it for. Cheers to that!
Reese's real estate purchases haven't just been about turning a profit. The star bought this charming farm in the foothills above Zuma Beach in Malibu for family getaways in 2019. The perfect vacation pad, she snapped up the rustic property for $6.3 million (£5m).
The stylish estate boasts the ultimate in privacy and includes two acres of land hidden behind secure gates. Inside, the main farmhouse, which was built in 1949, features open-plan living spaces with a designer galley kitchen. Pictured here when it was decorated in a boho-chic style, the home has wooden floors throughout and soaring ceilings.
The stylish estate was previously a wedding venue and event space, so came ready-made for Reese's modern-rustic aesthetic. This calming bedroom features whitewashed beams and wall panelling, along with clerestory windows that draw in plenty of natural light.
In these more recent listing images, the home's bright and breezy interiors have been decked out in vibrant colours and contemporary furnishings. Meanwhile, the eat-in kitchen has been outfitted with high-end stainless steel appliances and white cabinetry for the ultimate practical but polished holiday home.
Elsewhere, there's also an on-site studio and screening room, which has a striking monochrome design in contrast to the rest of the house. Adjacent to the farmhouse sits a rustic barn that's fitted out as a guest house, which allowed the star to host friends and family in style.
As well as accommodation for visitors, the repurposed barn includes a games room with a billiards table, media area, bar and lounging zone. Despite its fun amenities however, Reese and Jim sold the oasis to Meg Haney, the daughter of Chattanooga real estate billionaire Franklin Haney, in November 2020 for $6.7 million (£5.3m). Meg is the younger sister of fashion designer Mary Haney, who once worked as Witherspoon’s personal stylist.
With its several outbuildings, stables and equestrian facilities, the estate, set amongst ancient sycamores, fruit trees and vegetable gardens, has clearly been a good investment. The two-acre property hit the market again in January 2023 for a sizeable $8 million (£6.4m). Maybe Reese should have hung on to it...
In 2020, the same year Witherspoon sold the Malibu farm, she returned to her Brentwood stomping ground, this time receiving the keys to one of the most private properties to the west of Los Angeles. The home is nestled in a canyon and shrouded by woodland, accessed only via a private road. Guarded by a huge gate, the three-acre property is a completely shielded private oasis.
2020 was a busy year for Witherspoon. Not only did she star in and executive produce the smash hit mini-series Little Fires Everywhere, she also produced the box office record-breaking movie The Dry. These 'before' pictures show how the house would have looked when she bought it – the third property that Witherspoon exchanged on that year. It looks like she’s got her sights set on conquering the property world.
Despite the muted interior, each bedroom is so large and lofty that it could possibly fit a standard-size apartment in its floor space. There’s even room for not one but two staff suites, talk about a sprawling residence! We can see why Reese saw the potential in this house and just wait until you see what she did with the place...
And look at it now! Judging by these new listing images, Reese did a dazzling job with the renovations and successfully converted the property into an estate any A-lister would be proud to call home. The living room was given a fresh coat of white paint, making it a light and bright space, and the dark wood floors were swapped out for a much warmer blonde wood. Art Deco-style lighting, beautiful panelling and a mix of old and new furniture give the room an elegant yet relaxed feel.
Other exquisite additions made to the property include the white oak staircase with custom steel and brass handrails, atop the black and white marble and limestone tiled floor. The property's library was also given a new blue makeover and the chef’s kitchen was revamped, including new countertops.
Witherspoon also gave the exterior a modern whitewash. With perfectly manicured lawns, a saltwater swimming pool and spa, plus an outdoor cooking area complete with a large outdoor fireplace, it's ideal for those balmy California evenings! Yet, in March 2022, in a move that has been retrospectively interpreted by US Weekly as the couple liquidating their shared properties in preparation for their eventual split, Reese and Jim put the home on the market for a whopping $25 million (£20m).
Less than two months later, the renovated estate home was snapped up by Sabrina Merage Naim, the heiress to the Hot Pockets fortune, for a discounted $21.5 million (£17m), as reported by Dirt. The final sale may have been a few million short of the original asking price, but it’s still a decent profit given the couple bought the property for just shy of $16 million (£12.9m) in December 2020.
Once the savvy businesswoman sold up her Brentwood estate, Reese went on to quickly replenish her impressive real estate portfolio. Throughout the first half of 2022, the star reportedly set to work snapping up four properties in Nashville and Brentwood to the tune of $28 million (£22.4m) according to Dirt.
Custom-built in 2020 by the previous owners, this four-acre parcel of land resides within a gated estate in a covetable area of Nashville. According to reports, the property encompasses nearly 15,000 square feet of living space in the main house, with a separate pool house, spoon-shaped swimming pool, full-sized tennis court and covered viewing pavilion. Witherspoon paid a cool $18 million (£14.4m) for the leafy estate in an off-market deal, just prior to her split from Toth, so images and details are somewhat scant.
Approximately two months later, the Walk the Line actress splashed out on a considerably smaller, yet still rather expensive ranch house in her beloved Brentwood neighbourhood of Los Angeles. Sitting close by to her previous Mandeville Canyon abode, the four-bedroom residence was built in 1959 and designed by renowned architect, Cliff May. Witherspoon reportedly paid a handsome $5 million (£4m) for the single-storey house, covering 2,600 square feet of living space complete with a dark-bottomed swimming pool.
In another off-market deal, the Sweet Home Alabama star invested in this 1870s red brick property, reportedly zoned for both retail and residential use. Reports suggest the clothing range mogul and producer may use the recently renovated 3,000-square-foot building as an office. Situated in downtown Nashville, the historic property reportedly cost Witherspoon $4.2 million (£3.3m) to add to her incredible real estate roster.
The seven-bedroom, one-bathroom home features rather imposing interiors, featuring dark stained wood flooring and a dramatic curved stairway with an ornately wallpapered stairwell. According to the listing, there's also a building to the rear, encompassing approximately 1,300 square feet of space. A true historic gem, the building is in need of renovation and was sold 'as is.' But that’s not the last of the properties Witherspoon had her eye on…
Witherspoon also shelled out on this freshly painted brick-sided house found in the leafy suburb of Franklin, Nashville. Nestled at the end of a sleepy cul-de-sac and backing onto golf course greens, the 2,200-square-foot home was built in 1987 and cost a relatively modest $672,000 (£538k) for the Hollywood property queen. Rumours swirled that the residence was purchased as an investment or to gift to a member of her family. We certainly wouldn’t turn it down.
With so many recent purchases, the star understandably felt the need to offload a few properties. The resurrection of this elegant Colonial-style estate in the affluent Belle Meade neighbourhood in Nashville has been a real labour of love for Reese since she purchased it with ex-husband Jim Toth back in the summer of 2018. The home, which dates back to the 1930s, needed some serious updates, and Reese’s renovation project even featured on an episode of Netflix’s Get Organized with The Home Edit.
However, in spite of all her pains to breathe fresh life and her signature Southern charm into the dated estate, Reese decided to part ways with the property, reportedly selling the home to music producer Randy Wachtler for $7.4 million (£6m) nearly double what she initially paid for it, late in 2022. However, with Reese’s updates, the 8,400-square-foot, six-bed, eight-bath home is certainly worth the price hike.
The pinnacle of Southern elegance, the white brick and green-shuttered property is flanked by stately columns, crowned with a trio of dormer windows, and fronted by a sweeping veranda overlooking the circular drive. While the home’s exterior may pay homage to its historic origins, Reese’s modern upgrades are on full display inside, including fresh white paint, a mix of new tiled and hardwood floors, and new window treatments to let in plenty of natural light.
The first floor features formal living and dining rooms, a newly fitted gourmet kitchen and adjoining breakfast area, a cosy family room, an office space and a screened-in sunroom. An elegant traditional staircase leads upstairs to the bedrooms, including the master suite, which boasts a fireside lounge, dual vanities and a chandelier-topped soaking tub. When Reese owned the home, the master also included her specially curated closet, packed with memorabilia from past film and TV roles and award shows.
Outside, the property boasts sumptuous grounds ideally suited for entertaining. The backyard features a large swimming pool complete with a diving board, a sundeck and numerous areas for outdoor lounging and dining. The 1.23 acres are beautifully manicured, and enhance the elegance of this old-school Southern estate.
With her impressive property portfolio and impeccable eye for interior design, we doubt this is the last we'll hear of Reese's real estate dealings. Her pre-nuptial agreement and considerable talent for business mean it's unlikely there will be any major upsets in her divorce settlement, which leaves her free as a bird to seal the deal on any future property investments. Can't wait to see what she does next...
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