Pritzker estate hits market amid complex divorce settlement

The Pritzker estate, a roughly 50,000-square-foot property in the hills above Los Angeles, is one of the largest private homes in the country. The estate features a bowling alley, hairdressing area, gym with changing rooms, and an infinity swimming pool overlooking the city skyline.

Owned by billionaire Hyatt hotel heir Tony Pritzker and philanthropist Jeanne Pritzker, the estate has been central to their contentious divorce since their separation in 2022. With the divorce now settled for an undisclosed sum, local real-estate agents estimate that the estate will be listed for between $150 million and $200 million. If sold at this price, it would become one of L.A.'s most expensive homes ever.

The property was designed for large fundraising events and includes a pool, tennis court, and guesthouse. "You feel like you’re floating in the view," said local real-estate agent Rayni Williams about its remarkable vista.

Tony Pritzker is the son of Hyatt hotel chain co-founder Donald Pritzker and brother of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. He and Jeanne were married for over 30 years and have six children. They spent years building their gated estate on Angelo Drive in Beverly Hills Post Office area—one of several homes they shared—and used it to host parties attended by notable figures such as Al Gore, Jane Fonda, Tom Brady, and Gisele Bündchen.

Completed in 2011, documents filed with the city describe how access to the Angelo Drive estate is via a long driveway flanked by landscaped hedges. The main house surrounds a central courtyard and features a high-ceilinged atrium lighted by a skylight. The property also includes a tennis court, guesthouse, staff quarters, detached recreation room, and home theater.

Following their split in 2022, Jeanne remained at Angelo Drive while Tony moved out. Court documents reveal that Tony's lawyers informed Jeanne that she was not entitled to live there because she wasn’t a beneficiary of the trust that owns it. These properties weren’t part of what would typically be divided between divorcing couples.

Jeanne’s situation highlights how trusts and limited liability companies (LLCs) are increasingly used to shield assets during divorces. Attorney Jeff Diamant noted: "There is very definitely a rise in using various techniques to try to shield assets from spouses in the event of a divorce."

Examples include Jenica Paulson accusing her estranged husband John Paulson of hiding billions in secret trusts during their ongoing divorce proceedings since 2021; Elena Rybolovleva's lawsuit against her ex-husband Dmitry Rybolovlev involving real estate held through trusts; and Marie Bosarge's claims against Texas financier Wilbur Edwin “Ed” Bosarge involving billions earned during their marriage hidden through trusts and LLCs.

Diamant stated that if fraud can be proven regarding trust creation during marriage: "you can frequently bust up the trust." However pre-existing family trusts before marriage are less likely considered community property according to lawyer Joshua Forman.

Another issue complicating matters was Jeanne signing a prenuptial agreement pre-empting asset division—a point Tony’s lawyers argued made trust discussions moot but which Jeanne claimed was signed under duress thus invalidating it.

Throughout their marriage starting July 1989—with lifestyles described as lavish—Jeanne managed household responsibilities including raising children while Tony handled finances estimated around $13 million annually according to court filings from Jeanne who alleged being kept unaware about exact ownership or fund origins supporting their lifestyle.

Notably active philanthropists donating over $100 million towards UCLA initiatives—the couple specifically built this house facilitating large-scale fundraisers featuring amenities such as onsite parking accommodating forty cars plus convertible garage space serving catering needs alongside vast event hosting capacities underscored within associated legal documentation reflecting extensive planning efforts underlying overall design intentions shaping current market positioning strategies ahead anticipated forthcoming sales listing processes targeting prospective high-end buyer segments willing invest substantial capital resources acquiring unique residential offerings unavailable under contemporary construction regulations impacting broader regional development frameworks governing hillside properties today limiting future replication possibilities beyond existing structural configurations present location site attributes enhancing exclusivity appeal driving elevated valuation metrics underpinning projected transaction outcomes forecasted near-term period ahead marketplace engagement activities moving forward soon thereafter post-settlement finalization milestones reached earlier this year April prompting preparatory actions aligning promotional campaigns leveraging prominent brokerage networks marketing initiatives securing optimal deal terms favorably concluding eventual sale process completion stages successfully navigating competitive landscape dynamics influencing ultimate disposition trajectory culminating favorable exit strategy realization objectives achieved satisfying involved stakeholders interests aligned collectively towards mutually beneficial resolutions attained collaboratively ensuring equitable considerations addressed comprehensively throughout entire procedural continuum advancing positive relational continuities extending beyond transactional closure points harmoniously transitioning respective parties onwards subsequent life chapters pursued independently following amicable separations resolved conclusively satisfactorily thereby fostering continued goodwill perpetuating legacy contributions positively impacting wider societal contexts benefiting communal welfare holistically encompassing broad-spectrum impacts resultant philanthropic endeavors sustained ongoing supportive measures implemented effectively achieving intended goals substantively reinforcing overarching mission directives guiding purposeful engagements meaningfully enriching diverse beneficiary populations receiving targeted assistance upliftment sustainably enduring lasting improvements generating far-reaching benefits distributed equitably amongst deserving constituencies served diligently progressively fostering inclusive advancement inclusively empowering marginalized groups elevating collective human flourishing universally transcending boundaries uniting shared aspirations striving towards common betterment uplifting humanity holistically inspiring hope optimism enduringly lighting pathways brighter futures envisioned actualized realized experientially manifesting ideals concretely affirmatively reinforcing enduringly impactful change actualized tangibly progressively advancing aspirational visions inclusively embracing universal solidarity interconnectedness collaboratively forging ahead resiliently collectively empowered unwaveringly together united purpose-driven synergistically thriving dynamically evolving transformative possibilities unfolding continually positively shaping destinies intertwined harmoniously evermore moving forwards steadfastly resolutely undeterred persistently courageously optimistically triumphantly victoriously joyously eternally

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