It's not surprising that many celebrities have more money than they know what to do with. When you've been working in Hollywood for a long time, not only does your wealth accumulate but you tend to command even bigger and bigger paychecks with each new movie or TV gig. Take Leonardo DiCaprio. He's been working in the business since the young age of 5, and he's racked up three Golden Globes and an Oscar over his impressive, 40-year career. That kind of clout translates to hefty paydays for the roles he takes on. With an estimated net worth of $260 million, he's doing pretty darn well for himself.
And with a bank account that big, he can afford to be generous — like buying-your-mom-a-mansion generous. Over the years, the Revenant actor has invested in quite a lot of real estate — more than a dozen properties in all — some of which he's turned into rental properties for yet another income stream. Most recently, in May 2021, he scooped up a $7.1 million house in trendy Los Feliz, California, according to TopTenRealEstateDeals.com. But he won't be living there —it's actually a gift for his mom, Irmelin Indenbirken.
Leo remains super close with his parents (his mom has even been his adorable date for many red carpet events). He had already purchased a house for his dad, George DiCaprio, and stepmom, Peggy Ann Farra, a few years ago (a $4.1 million property, also in Los Feliz), and now it's Irmelin's turn. What a way for Leo to show his love and appreciation to his supportive family! (Can we be adopted?)
Irmelin's gorgeous new digs have had some famous past residents. Leo bought the 1928 Spanish Colonial-style home from Modern Family star Jesse Tyler Ferguson and his husband, Justin Mikita — and Gwen Stefani and Robert Pattison were also previous owners. There's a lot of Hollywood history within those walls.
And the house has plenty of curb appeal. It features a striking cyan-trimmed exterior and a hand-carved door lined with a riot of colorful bougainvillea blooms, giving it a charming, European-inspired feel. Not surprisingly, the house is just as beautiful on the inside, too, and we've got the photos to prove it. Come take a peek!
Leonardo's Gift to His Mom
Leonardo has a close bond with his family, so it's not surprising to hear he purchased this mansion for his 78-year-old mom. As she enjoys her senior years, her movie star son can be assured that she's comfortably set up in a beautiful home while he's jetting around to various film shoot locations.
A Little Slice of Europe
Welcome home, mama DiCaprio! Judging by his real estate portfolio, Leo likes to scoop up places in sought-after communities, like this one in the cozy Los Feliz neighborhood of LA. It's only about 30 minutes from the residence he spends most of his time in, so he and Irmelin can visit each other often. Looking like it could easily belong in the hills of Tuscany, the gated house was originally built in 1928 and has been carefully maintained and beautifully updated to retain its period charm while enhancing it for today's living.
Loads of Space
It's hard to get a feel for how big these homes really are by looking at them from an aerial photograph. We can tell they are way larger than our own homes, but it's still difficult to grasp just how expansive they are. This house spans nearly 5,000 square feet and has four spacious bedrooms and six bathrooms.
A Warm Welcome
A home's entrance can tell a visitor a lot about what they could expect when they're on the other side of the door. And this one's pretty striking. The ornately carved door is massive, and with those colorful tiled steps leading up to it, it has a striking Spanish aesthetic, while preserving the old-school feel (but not in a dated way). And we love the Mediterranean vibe those bougainvillea vines give off — what a welcome!
The Formal Room
Now, something we don't see ever in newer homes are these romantic Juliette balconies. Still, it's a beautiful feature in this formal room, which has an impressively high vaulted ceiling, making the space feel even larger than it is. The wood beams keep that 1920s vibe, while the furniture and decor bring the room into modern times.
A Homey Kitchen
We've seen celebrity kitchens before, and most of them are extravagant, oversized, and always outfitted with the most expensive appliances. So we are loving this more toned-down kitchen. It's super sunny, letting in all the light from the oversized windows, and the focal point is the beautiful island in the center. The room, which has been meticulously updated to retain its original features, is ideal for families who love to entertain.
The Dining Room
This room boasts a bold blue color that is definitely eye-catching and complements the impressive embellished ceiling. The dining space is a conversation piece on its own and perfect for hosting big Thanksgiving dinners — something we're guessing Leo's mom likes to do with the whole family. With the comfortable chairs, no one will want to miss any sit-down meals here.
The TV Room
Maybe this is the room where Leo's mom will view her son's latest movie (or rewatch his impressive back catalog). There is so much light pouring into this space, making it perfect for daytime lounging or reading, but it's also easy to dim the lights and close the curtains to better take in the action on the screen.
The Elegant Stairs
Visitors to the home are met with beautiful touches all over, including this staircase. The arched doorways and Spanish-style tiles on the floor work well with the wrought-iron railings detailed with elegant swirls. The cozy seating area for two at the landing is also a nice touch — and a perfect place to sit and slip on your shoes before heading out the door.
The Top of the Staircase
This home is far from average, so of course the ceiling is far from average. This one is incredibly beautiful, with its grand domed shape, fresco-like embellishments, and birdcage chandelier. These are just some of the original 1920s features that have been carefully restored throughout the house.
The Terrace
It's hard to tell where this terrace is, but if we had to guess, it overlooks the pool, which we will see a little later. This outdoor conversation space is intimate and peaceful. It looks like an ideal place to sit and watch the sun go down with a warm cup of tea, and the only thing in view is beautiful foliage.
A Lounge Room
This space has an old-school feel to it, thanks to the retro décor. It's a lounge/office area with plenty of personality — there are so many colors and textures going on in here. Who would have thought a high-backed couch in lime green plaid would look so elegant in a blue-walled room? Not us, but we love it.
The Outside Stairs
Every inch of the home's lush grounds have been landscaped with a careful eye, creating a calming oasis. We love these large stairs that lead up the side of the pool, with a seating area right in the middle. There are also stairs that take you down to the other side of the pool and another seating nook. So lots of space for hosting friends.
An Inviting Pool
With a home this expensive, there's of course a beautiful pool in the backyard. And this one still has that lovely vintage Spanish charm to it, keeping with the feel of the home's interior. The large blue tiled walls and waterfalls really elevate the pool and create a wonderfully cloistered space. And since this pool is built right into a massive hill, there is no way any spying eyes can get a photo of Leo's mom relaxing in her swimsuit.
Outside Conversation
There is no space here that wasn't well thought out, including the tiled walkways, and all the flowers and bushes that make up the professional landscaping. We love the charming touch of the lanterns, which probably make the space look even more intimate and inviting in the evening hours. There's so much privacy here — what a peaceful place for Irmelin to enjoy.
