Many of the world's wealthiest celebrities choose to invest their millions in real estate – and their budgets stretch a lot further than a run-of-the-mill mansion.

Hollywood's richest are acquiring exceptional properties across the globe, including penthouse apartments overlooking iconic city skylines and sprawling estates equipped with luxury amenities. 

Click or scroll through to discover the most expensive celebrity homes of all time...

Arguably the foremost celebrity property flipper of them all, Ellen DeGeneres is said to have bought and sold over 20 properties in the past two decades. The star has favoured Southern California's Santa Barbara area, a coastal county popular with the rich and famous. 

Nestled in the region's celebrity enclave of Montecito, the talk show host sold an enchanting stone property for $34 million (£25.9m) in 2018 to Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos. The home's whimsical, castle-style entrance is pictured here, clad in greenery and shrouded by trees.

Ellen and her wife, Portia de Rossi, bought the 1930s mansion for $26.5 million (£20.2m) in 2013 and first listed it for $45 million (£34.3m) in 2017, according to TopTenRealEstateDeals.com.

Architect Wallace Frost originally built the house for himself in 1936, inspired by the classic style of 17th-century Italian mansions he'd seen while working in Europe.

Decades later, acclaimed architectural designer John Saladino undertook a five-year restoration of the property, retaining its original stonework, wooden beams, tiles, and terracotta surfaces.

Constructed from sandstone and timber, the main residence has six bedrooms and six full bathrooms, and extends across 10,500 square feet (975sqm). 

Ellen and Portia spared no expense in updating the historic property to create a relaxed California vibe, installing a marble-wrapped chef’s kitchen, several libraries, reading nooks, and formal rooms for entertaining.

The property was featured in Ellen's 2015 book Home, where she wrote at the time that she wanted to "live here forever".

Outside, they added an indoor-outdoor pavilion built from stone excavated on-site, along with a lap pool, a sunken tennis court, a state-of-the-art irrigation system, and a security system. Best of all is the sweeping mountain views of the surrounding area, which can be glimpsed from the terrace.

The couple has been flipping homes in Southern California for decades. However, Ellen and Portia decided to relocate to the UK in 2024, purchasing a farmhouse in the picturesque Cotswolds region. The pair has reportedly extended the home to create their dream rural retreat.

Rob Lowe made a huge profit on this sprawling mansion in the exclusive Californian suburb of Montecito, which he sold for $44.5 million (£33.9m) to healthcare executive Jack McGinley in 2020, according to TopTenRealEstateDeals.com.

The star of classics such as The West Wing and St. Elmo's Fire paid just $8.5 million (£6.5m) when he bought the original plot in 2009 – equivalent to $12.9 million (£9.8m) in today's money – and began building the ultimate celebrity hideaway. 

Despite the time and effort Lowe poured into the project, the Colonial-style estate changed hands in 2022 when it was purchased by Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine and his wife, model Behati Prinsloo, for $52 million (£39.6m).

Known as Oakview, the 10,000-square-foot (929sqm) property has six bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, and a long list of luxurious amenities. Its design was inspired by Mount Vernon, George Washington’s Virginia plantation home, Lowe told Architectural Digest in 2016.

Bright and elegant, the mansion's living spaces benefit from intricate cornicing, grand fireplaces, and crystal chandeliers. Large windows frame the 3.4-acre (1.4ha) garden and offer views of the Santa Ynez Mountains.

The house has a stunning living room, a piano bar, a formal dining room, a luxurious kitchen adorned with Carrara marble, a family room, a morning room, a library, an office, a home theatre, and a fitness centre. 

Elsewhere, the luxurious master bedroom has a private balcony with views stretching all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

Of course, the home's grounds are equally impressive. Sprawling and secluded, the garden comes complete with a swimming pool, tennis court, cabana, and a separate guest house.

Since it found its way into Adam Levine's property portfolio, the home is bound to have changed significantly. The musician is an avid architecture buff and will no doubt have added his own flourishes to the elegant home's design.

American supermodel Cindy Crawford and her husband, businessman Rande Gerber, made headlines in 2015 when they purchased this sprawling estate in Malibu on one of the finest stretches of coastline in Southern California. The couple paid $50.5 million (£38.5m) for the property, which included an adjacent parcel of land. 

Situated on a plot of more than three acres (1.2ha), the mansion had a Mediterranean-style aesthetic when Cindy and Rande called it home, with a rustic red-tiled roof and terraced gardens staggered across the hillside.

While the A-list couple remodelled the 5,254-square-foot (488 sqm) mansion to their tastes, it proved more of a project for the pair than a forever home. In 2016, a year after they bought the property, they put it up for sale for $60 million (£45.8m). It lingered on the market for some time, eventually changing hands for $45 million (£34.3m) in 2018.

As reported by TopTenRealEstateDeals.com, the home was overhauled again by its next owners, former hedge-fund manager Adam Weiss and actor Barret Swatek. The majority of their alterations focused on the grounds, with only minor changes made to the modern, airy interior.

In the open-plan living and dining area, floor-to-ceiling glass doors open onto a wrapped terrace. The couple opted for a neutral colour palette, allowing the rich blue hue of the ocean to take centre stage. 

When Cindy owned the property, it had four bedrooms and six bathrooms. The master suite reportedly had its own lounge, fireplace, walk-in closet, and dual spa-style bathrooms. 

Elsewhere, the home had a gourmet kitchen, gym, media room, and tennis court, as well as self-contained guest accommodation.

Pictured here are the pool terrace and cabana, which offer breathtaking views across the ocean. Meanwhile, a private pathway leads down to the beach below.

The home was sold again in 2022 when reality star Kim Kardashian purchased the property for $70.4 million (£53.7m), a significant discount on the $99.5 million (£76.9m) it was initially listed for.

Kim completed a dramatic renovation of the home in 2024, replacing the Mediterranean-inspired architecture with a contemporary grey façade.

Sometimes referred to as the world's most powerful address, it's no wonder that Sting made a fortune when he sold his duplex penthouse at 15 Central Park West in 2017. The former lead singer of English rock band The Police sold the New York City apartment for a staggering $50 million (£38.1m), having initially listed it for $56 million (£42.7m).

The penthouse was most recently for sale in December 2023 for the slightly lower figure of $48 million (£36.6m), though it's since been removed from the market. Once you step inside, you'll see why this piece of real estate is so desirable.

The sprawling apartment is pictured here in images supplied by TopTenRealEstateDeals.com when Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler, first put the property up for sale in 2017. While subsequent owners have since redesigned the penthouse, we think it looked pretty luxurious during Sting's tenure.

Highlights of the two-storey, 5,417-square-foot (503sqm) home included the spacious main living room, complete with an architectural fireplace and stunning views across Central Park.

Featuring metro tiles and marble countertops, the all-white kitchen was equipped for party catering thanks to its two refrigerators, four ovens, and three dishwashers. A spiral staircase connected the streamlined space with the penthouse's upper floor.

When Sting lived here, the home had a total of four bedrooms. The expansive master suite had two large dressing rooms and two en suite bathrooms with spa-style amenities, including a rainfall shower and steam room. 

Still a key feature in the redesigned duplex, the 400-square-foot (37sqm) terrace that runs the length of the living areas offers a private space to soak up picture-perfect views of the New York skyline.

The 'Message in a Bottle' singer is said to have bought the penthouse in 2008 for $27 million (£20.6m) – $40.7 million (£31m) today, so he almost doubled his investment in less than 10 years.

Proving that some parts of the world offer far more for your money, Johnny Depp’s incredible French estate is worth just $5 million (£3.8m) more than Sting's penthouse but comes with its very own tiny town!

Located on a sleepy hillside close to iconic Saint-Tropez, the property spans 37 acres (15ha) and features a main house, guest cottages, a chapel, an art studio, and a private restaurant that the Edward Scissorhands star named Café Marcheline.

Depp snapped up the estate in 2001 for an undisclosed sum and spent 15 years and around $10 million (£7.6m) on restoring the village's numerous stone structures that date back to the early 1800s.

As you might expect, the charming Provençal village definitely has its fair share of quirky additions, including a skate park and a Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired cave.

The estate’s Bohemian-style interiors span some 13,000 square feet (1,207sqm) and include 15 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms.

Rustic and cosy, every living space benefits from natural stone accents, exposed timber beams, and woodburning fireplaces. There's a state-of-the-art gym, two swimming pools, and a private beach, plus an old-fashioned wagon outside, which serves as a quirky guest suite.

The property has been on and off the market in recent years, with asking prices ranging from $27 million (£20.6m) to $63 million (£48.1m) in 2015 and 2016 alone, according to TopTenRealEstateDeals.com. 

The movie megastar dropped the price to $55.5 million (£42.5m) in 2021, before appearing to have a change of heart. Instead of selling up, British newspaper the Daily Mail reported in June 2024 that Depp was planning on giving the enchanting village a major makeover.

Sir Rod Stewart and his wife, the former model Penny Lancaster, decided to sell their lavish Los Angeles home in June 2023. According to TopTenRealEstateDeals.com, the couple listed the North Beverly Park mansion for a whopping $70 million (£53.4m) with Douglas Elliman.

The property was removed from the market before being relisted in December of the same year for an inflated $80 million (£61m), which was later cut to $74 million (£56.4m) in February 2024. The home was then removed from the market again in May 2024.

The singer initially bought the land the mansion was built on for $12 million in 1991 – the equivalent of $28.6 million (£21.8m) in today's money. 

The 13-bedroom, 19-bathroom house was designed by architect Richard Landry and was inspired by a French château. There's a classical fountain at the front of the property, while the interior features sweeping marble staircases and floors, Corinthian columns, and intricate mouldings.

The main house extends across 28,500 square feet (2,648sqm), while the 4,500-square-foot (418sqm) guesthouse is still far larger than most people’s houses.

The Great Room on the ground floor comes with a bar, while the dining room seats 20 people. Each space is lavishly adorned with sumptuous furnishings, expensive artwork, and marble or wood flooring.

Other stand-out spaces in the mansion include a wood-panelled library, a screening room, and a jade-green speakeasy.

At the rear, the expansive property offers a stunning swimming pool, landscaped gardens, and even a football pitch, which tends to be a feature of all the singer’s properties. 

There are around 64 houses in North Beverly Park, many of which are owned by Hollywood stars, including Denzel Washington and The Rock. But despite his A-list neighbours, Rod prefers to spend his time at Durrington House, his mansion in Hertfordshire, England.

Fans of Oprah Winfrey might already know that the talk show host has a seriously impressive property portfolio. Her main asset is known as the Promised Land estate, which is thought to be worth more than $100 million (£76.5m).

Spanning 70 acres (28ha), the Californian compound is made up of numerous different properties, including Oprah's 23,000-square-foot (2,137sqm) Georgian-style mansion, which features amazing landscaped grounds.

Oprah's love affair with the estate goes back to 2001, when she was invited to a party in the picturesque enclave of Montecito near Santa Barbara. She instantly fell in love with the tranquil 42-acre (17ha) property and began persuading the owners, Robert and Marlene Veloz, to sell her their home.

Although it wasn't on the market at the time, the couple couldn't refuse the $52 million that Oprah offered them. That's around $95.4 million (£72.8m) today. The original compound included a main mansion, a guesthouse, and various outbuildings.

Oprah has spent years accumulating more land and homes around the estate. The Promised Land parcel includes a 23-acre (9.3ha) agricultural property known as Seamair Farm and actor Jeff Bridges' former Spanish Revival home, seen here, which Oprah paid just under $6.9 million (£5.3m) for, according to TopTenRealEstateDeals.com.

Having expanded the property significantly over the years, the estate is now said to include gated equestrian facilities with stables and a tack room, at least 13 separate buildings, two swimming pools, and a tennis court.

Promised Land is the jewel in the talk show host's real estate empire. Oprah also owns a ski chalet in Telluride, Colorado, and a 100-acre (40.5ha) ranch on the Hawaiian island of Maui.

Set within the idyllic Laglio commune in Italy, George Clooney’s Lake Como mansion was always intended as a holiday home. However, it's become a beloved residence for Clooney, his wife Amal, and their family.

While the purchase price has never been officially confirmed, Clooney is said to have bought the villa from the Heinz family in 2002 for €11.7 million ($13.5m/£10.3m), according to British newspaper The Independent.

The home is now said to be worth around $100 million (£76.5m) and is the most highly valued asset in Clooney's impressive portfolio.

The historic mansion dates to the 18th century and is officially named Villa Oleandra. The villa sits on the lakefront, framed by rich botanical gardens, olive groves, and local vineyards.

The property no doubt holds a special place in the heart of the actor – it's where he met his wife, who was invited to a dinner party he was hosting by a mutual friend. The couple married in Venice in 2014.

It’s little wonder the Clooneys have spent so much time at the property over the years. The home has 25 rooms, copious walk-in closets, an indoor gym, and a tennis court, plus a swimming pool for cooling from the Mediterranean heat.

The American actor was made an honorary citizen of Laglio in 2004 and has transformed the municipality into a popular tourist destination. However, the attention that Clooney has drawn to the town has proved a challenge, too. The mayor had to issue a restriction order punishable by fines to stop fans and the media from approaching the star's home.

While rumours swirled that Clooney intended to sell the Lake Como home in 2023, he denied the reports and affirmed his fondness for the property.

Clooney has made other real estate investments in Europe in recent years, including the purchase of a château in Provence in the south of France in 2021. The actor is said to spend much of his time there with Amal and their twins, Ella and Alexander.

Perhaps a sign of his intention to spend more time in Europe, the star sold his long-time Los Angeles home in Studio City in September 2024. Purchased from Stevie Nicks in 1995, Clooney sold the home to NFL star Christian McCaffrey and his wife, reality star Olivia Culpo, for $14.5 million (£11.1m).

You could almost be on a far-flung tropical island at Pierce Brosnan's exotic Malibu mansion. The movie star bought the land for the Thai-inspired oceanfront compound in 2000 before spending 10 years transforming it into a tranquil haven with landscaped gardens and a Japanese-style spa.

Surprisingly, the Mamma Mia star decided to list the home for sale in 2020 for $100 million (£76.5m), but the property proved a hard sell, according to TopTenRealEstateDeals.com. Just a year later, in 2021, he took it off the market.

Known as Orchid House, the mansion was completed in 2010, 10 years after Brosnan purchased two lots of land for around $10 million (£7.7m).

Secured behind carved teak entry gates, the waterfront villa benefits from panoramic coastal views from almost every room. Chic and sophisticated, the resort-style property was finished with high-end materials and fixtures befitting of a billionaire.

This beautiful beach house offers an open-plan layout filled with natural light. Every room features wide-plank teak floors, handcrafted woodwork, and floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing the ocean outside to take centre stage.

The house has five bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, a stunning chef's kitchen, and a butler’s pantry. Elsewhere, you'll find a gym, a recording studio and a screening room with a bar and a surround sound system.

Sitting on over an acre (0.4ha) of land with 117 feet (36m) of private beachfront, the estate also offers an art studio and a two-storey pool house for VIP guests.

The perfect spot for relaxation, the saltwater swimming pool is surrounded by landscaped grounds, while the luxury spa complex features multiple saunas, a steam room, and a plunge pool. 

It must feel like a home from home for the couple, who also have an oceanfront house on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.

Château Miraval in Correns in the south of France is worth in the region of $225 million (£172m). The sprawling 1,000-acre (405ha) estate was purchased by former couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in the late 2000s.

The historic estate features several structures from the 17th century and includes a working vineyard, a lake, outdoor swimming pools, and 20 fountains.

Inside, the main mansion has 35 bedrooms, an indoor pool, a banquet hall, a billiards room, a screening theatre, two gyms, a sauna, and a Jacuzzi.

The A-list couple were married at the estate’s Romanesque chapel in a secret ceremony in August 2014, however, they became embroiled in a bitter real estate battle over the property following their split in 2016.

Central to the dispute was the Miraval wine brand that the couple launched in 2013 under the guidance of the wine-making Perrin family. Pitt became passionately involved with the wine business following the couple’s separation, developing his Fleur de Miraval rosé champagne, which was served at the Oscars in 2022 and 2023.

Things took a turn for the worse in 2022 when Pitt sued his ex-wife for selling her half of the winery to Russian oligarch Yuri Shefler for $62 million (£47.4m) in October 2021 without his consent. He said it went against their prior agreement to offer the other right of first refusal. 

Pitt is said to have poured millions into the estate by expanding the business. The property is now worth several times the $60 million (£45.9m) the couple originally paid for it over a decade ago.

While the ongoing legal battle surrounding the Miraval brand, which has been dubbed the "War of the Rosés", continues, the former couple reached a divorce settlement in December 2024 after more than eight years of negotiations. However, their legal battle regarding Miraval continues.

While Angelina claims to have "never again set foot on the property", Brad Pitt still spends time at Château Miraval. The star even used the property as a location for his 2024 GQ shoot to promote the film Wolfs with his co-star George Clooney, whose Brignoles château is just a 15-minute drive away.

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