Home torn down after being sold for $10.5 million
By Dolores Quintana
The former home of icon Betty White in Brentwood is no more as reported by Fox Business.com. It wasn’t quite a year since the star’s death when White’s social media account on Instagram announced that her former home had been demolished. As reported by the Los Angeles Times, Betty White’s personal assistant Kiersten Mikelas is in charge of running the account after White’s death and she posted the following message, “Hello all! I owe a post (or two) I know. This is such a busy time of year and coming up on the anniversary of Betty’s passing is hitting in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Her Brentwood home is no more (save the fireplaces which will be gone in short order). I promise a wonderful tribute to our most wonderful lady very soon!!!!” and a photo showing that only a fireplace was left after the home was razed.
Fans who commented on the post were distressed, one commenter said, “Why in the world would they tear it down?” with a sad face emoji. Another fan commented, “This is terrible! Why demolish such a beautiful icons [sic] home not even a full year after her passing?!”
Unfortunately, many suspected that the home might not last because it was sold as a “tear down” and listed for sale at $10.5 million. A tear-down listing means that the new owner who buys it has permission to demolish the building if they choose to. Entertainment Tonight.com reported that Ms. White’s home sold in June for $10.678 million. It was a very short turnaround since the home was listed in April and it was the first time the single-family home had been on the market in fifty years. The home was purchased by Allen Ludden, Betty White’s husband, in 1968. White lived there until she died in December of 2021 just before what would have been her 100th birthday.
The listing called the estate “lovingly cared for.” and said that it was a “unique opportunity to build your dream home” in a “serene country setting.” The site was described as “parklike” and is near The Getty Museum with gorgeous mountain views.