Some celebrities leave their mark on the world long after they're gone. Joan Rivers is one of those people. She was among the first female comedians to make it big. She was well-known for her biting wit and outspoken personality, which was often controversial, especially for a woman working in TV in the 1960s.
But despite her tremendous success, Joan's life wasn't easy. She had her share of tragedy, scandals, humiliations, and failures. But she was never one to give up. She always managed to bounce back, both in her personal life and in her career. When she died in 2014 following a routine endoscopy procedure, she left behind an estimated $150 million fortune.
In her 55-year career, she branded herself as someone who knew luxury, and boy did she live and breathe it. When it came to her real estate holdings alone, she had amassed several properties, including one super-coveted penthouse on New York's tony Upper East Side.
The apartment was originally built in 1903, according to TopTenRealEstateDeals.com. After the tragic death of her second husband, Edgar Rosenberg, in 1987, Joan moved away from Los Angeles, making New York her home, and she splashed out on the gorgeous Neo-French classic penthouse on East 62nd Street near Fifth Avenue.
"She threw herself into decorating it lavishly, while keeping the decor style sympathetic to the French-themed architecture," the real estate website reported. "She resided there for 28 years and often entertained a bevy of celebrities, including Princess Diana."
The 5,200-square-foot home was snapped up after Joan's death (reportedly by an unknown member of a Middle Eastern royal family), but it has come back on the market again (this time, for a cool $38 million). And apparently, it's completely unchanged since Joan lived there. Curious about what it looks like inside? We've got photos – and it's more lavish than we could even imagine.
Location, Location, Location
Boasting incredible views of Central Park — one of the most sought-after amenities in New York — Joan's former penthouse definitely commands every penny of its $38 million price tag. According to Architectural Digest, the home was designed by the famed Gilded Age architect Horace Trumbauer and is considered to be one of his greatest works in the city.
Joan Had an Unusual Roommate
It seems important to mention that according to Joan, although the home's location was a major plus, there was a downside to living there. Apparently, the penthouse was haunted.
According to the comedian, a ghost — believed to be that of a former owner, Mrs. Spencer — took up residence. The spirit usually stayed quiet, according to Joan, but on one occasion "she bit the heads off the cherubs on a chandelier," TopTenRealEstate.com reported.
The Next Owner Will Be Very Lucky
Taking a look through this property, there are a few things that grab our attention right away. It has incredible attention to detail. The property listing explains that the penthouse's "original architectural features were painstakingly restored by museum-trained artisans."
Those include gold accents throughout — creating a grand, Versailles-inspired vibe. Also, the 23-foot ceilings are wow-worthy, making the rooms feel larger than life.
Seriously, Look at the Ceiling
Joan had a taste for the finer things in life — and she knew fashion and decor well. After all, she was a successful style critic on TV (remember Fashion Police?) and she designed several collections of jewelry.
Given that, it's not surprising to see that her home had opulent embellishments as far as the eye could see. We have to say again that the ceiling in this room is incredible. It's painted with what look like real-life clouds.
Formal Room Fit for a Queen
We've had a few glimpses of the palaces that Queen Elizabeth lives in. But if we didn't know this was Joan's home in New York City, we'd think it was a royal residence — or at the very least, a location set for the Crown. Sure, this style of decor isn't going to fly with someone who loves a more modern aesthetic, but it's 100% classic through and through.
Every Single Detail Is Carefully Considered
Looking at this photo, capturing a view of the reading room from above, we hardly know where to focus our attention — there's so much going on! It's definitely got that "wow" factor, but just imagine having to keep up with all of that dusting and cleaning. Hosting parties here — which we're sure Joan did quite often — would be so much fun because the classic ambience transports guests to a whole other time period.
Gold Everywhere
The Gilded Age certainly lives on in this home. There are gold touches everywhere, and the large columns, parquet flooring, ivory walls, and elegant lighting fixtures lend grandiosity to the spaces. In a past interview, Joan once explained her home's aesthetic as "Louis XIV meets Fred and Ginger," and it's definitely a fitting description.
Magnificent Staircase
From the outside, it's hard to envision just how big this space is, but when we see the curving staircase and the elevators just off to the side, it paints a very clear picture. There's a lot of room!
We also get a good feel for how important those small touches are to the décor in this penthouse. That's not a regular, run-of-the-mill staircase; it's one befitting a $38 million home.
An Office Space
There is so much to take in when we look at this office in Joan's home. Elegance and interest can be found in every nook and cranny of the room. We wonder if this is where Joan plotted her next career venture or sketched out designs for her jewelry lines.
An Extravagant Bathroom
In a penthouse like this, even the bathroom is over-the-top. Just look at the large marble tub, surrounded by elegant curtains (haven't seen that before!) and has a gold cherub displayed above it. That's what we would call bathing in style.
A Room for Business
According to TopTenRealEstate.com, when Joan was asked about her home decor style, she had a humorous but honest answer. "It's what Marie Antoinette would have done if she had money," she quipped.
We can definitely see that in the home, including this office. It's a little more subtle than the other office, but it still feels like there's lots of history in the space.
It Keeps Getting Grander
As if we needed even more proof of the inspiration behind the design of this home, this room features elegant Juliette balconies, as well as ubiquitous gold accents almost everywhere. Everything is custom-built, right down to the cozy, pillow-lined window seat, which looks like a perfect spot for reading.
There is a lot going on in here, and we imagine that visiting this penthouse in real life would be even more striking.
One of the Bedrooms
This is a look at just one of the four bedrooms this lavish home boasts (along with five bathrooms). The view from the master bedroom is said to overlook Central Park and features a private terrace for sitting and taking in the stunning scenery. There's also a fireplace to keep the room cozy during colder months.
Lounging in Style
The decor in this room is a bit different than the rest of the house. Instead of the usual ivory and gold color scheme, this one is darker and more subdued. Once again, there is a lot going on, though, from the busy wallpaper to the patterned carpet and elaborate crown molding. And we can't help but marvel at how the couch is literally form-fitted to the staircase.
A Balcony With a View
Considering this is a penthouse in Manhattan that's on the market for $38 million, buyers will definitely be expecting some breathtaking views — and Joan's former home doesn't disappoint. This balcony terrace, which is decorated with lots of topiaries and plants, offers ample space for hosting guests outdoors.
It's the perfect spot for a little dining al fresco, with New York City's towering skyscrapers and the greenery of Central Park below as the backdrop. Joan certainly lived well!
