Bill and Melinda Gates are the proud new owners of an oceanfront property in Del Mar, California, that is reportedly one of the biggest deals ever recorded in the area. According to the Wall Street Journal, the tech titan and his wife paid $43 million for the stunning estate, which, according to marketing materials, features multiple structures including a primary family residence, a greenhouse, and two guesthouses, as well as amenities like a health spa, theater, glass-tiled pool, 10-person jacuzzi, and tennis court.
Built in 1999 by renowned architect-designer Ken Ronchetti, the main dwelling features six bedrooms and four bathrooms spread out over 5,800 square feet. It boasts an impressive 120 feet of direct ocean frontage and an expansive deck with multiple areas for lounging and dining. The previous owner, Madeleine Pickens (former wife of Texas oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens), put the house on the market in early 2019. An article in the San Diego Reader at the time, citing the listing, touted the home’s luxurious building materials. “Everywhere, there is an interplay of the finest woods and stone, including mahogany and clear fir cabinetry and lattia ceilings,” the listing read. “Imported limestone flooring, classic oak sandstone patios, and Getty stone accents impart unparalleled luxury and artistry.”
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Not surprisingly, the home is high-tech, with radiant floor heating and automated security, lighting, and climate control systems, as well as a keyless entry system. The Gateses consider their Medina, Washington, compound their primary residence, but also own an equestrian estate in Rancho Santa Fe, California, which they bought from weight loss guru Jenny Craig for $18 million in 2014. They also gifted their daughter Jennifer a $16 million Westchester horse farm upon her graduation from Stanford University in 2018 and a $5 million New York condo overlooking Central Park shortly after that.
