Angelina Jolie Bids Farewell to the Cecil B. DeMille Estate, Leaving a Legacy of Preservation

In a city where historic homes are often treated as status symbols, Angelina Jolie’s stewardship of the Cecil B. DeMille estate stands out as a story of genuine care. Now, after seven years of ownership, sources say the Oscar-winning actress is preparing to part with the storied Los Feliz property — a 1913 masterpiece once home to the legendary director of The Ten Commandments.

Jolie purchased the estate in 2017 for $24.5 million, drawn not just to its grandeur but to its history. Cecil B. DeMille lived in the home for four decades until his death in 1959, and its old-Hollywood pedigree includes ties to Charlie Chaplin and other cinematic greats. The property spans more than two acres, with six bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, formal gardens, a tea house, a sweeping view of Griffith Observatory, and a pool framed by cascading fountains.

During her tenure, Jolie took pains to preserve the home’s vintage character. According to the Los Angeles Times, the residence was “restored and renovated to the spirit of its original vintage,” complete with delicate moldings, arched French doors, and scaled formal rooms. Jolie herself once admitted feeling “a little pressure moving in,” knowing she was treading the same halls as DeMille and Chaplin. But what she valued most, she said, was the home’s quiet charm — its walking paths and contemplative corners, rather than an entertainment room.

It was more than a showpiece. The estate became a refuge during the pandemic, where Jolie raised her children and, in 2024, opened her doors to friends displaced by Los Angeles wildfires. In an era when celebrity real estate deals often prioritize flash over fidelity, Jolie’s stewardship has been marked by respect for the home’s legacy.

The sale comes amid the closing chapters of a long and public divorce from Brad Pitt, with whom Jolie continues to dispute ownership of their $500 million French winery, Château Miraval. Pitt, who owns a home nearby, faced his own real estate misfortune in June when burglars struck while he was away promoting his new film F1.

When the Cecil B. DeMille estate changes hands again, it will be ready for its next close-up — but Jolie’s tenure will be remembered as a rare case where Hollywood history was not only preserved, but lived in.