Comedian Chelsea Handler has publicly detailed her distressing experience purchasing a multi-million dollar property in Los Angeles, which she describes as a complete disaster. The house, formerly owned by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife Cheryl Hines, has left Handler unable to reside in it for nearly four years since the acquisition.
A Costly and Toxic Acquisition
During a recent episode of her podcast, Dear Chelsea, the 51-year-old entertainer recounted buying the Brentwood home five years ago. According to Realtor.com, the transaction amounted to $5.9 million. Handler expressed shock upon learning the previous owners were Kennedy, now the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Hines, married since 2014. She remarked, "That's how messed up this house was. The idea that this guy is in charge of the health of our country when he didn't even have a proper foundation at his house."
Severe Environmental and Structural Problems
Handler revealed that a home inspector labeled the property as having "the most toxic environment," advising her not to live there for at least two years. She emphasized, "I'm not exaggerating any of this. It was a disaster, and I didn't know it going in because everything was, you know, under wraps." Additionally, three individuals have allegedly told Handler the house is "cursed," adding to her woes.
After multiple renovation efforts, a final inspection uncovered another significant issue: an illegal outdoor storage unit on the premises. Handler recounted, "They're like, 'Oh, there's a unit.' There's been a little outdoor storage unit that's been there since I bought it. And they're like, 'This is illegal.' So now we have to remove [Kennedy's] illegal nonsense from my property. And I'm like, how did they not find this upon the first inspection?"
Post-Purchase Interactions and Criticism
Following the purchase, Hines left a note for Handler stating, "Let us know if there's anything we can do for you, Chelsea." Handler responded sarcastically, "I'm like, yeah, how about a foundation? That's something you could do for me." She also criticized Kennedy's career, calling him "the embodiment of everything that is wrong with this administration." The Independent has reached out to Hines and Kennedy for comment on these allegations.
Property Details and Background
Property records indicate the home, located in the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood, was built in 1937 and features five bedrooms, a spacious backyard, and a pool, as reported by Curbed. Handler acquired the property through a trust registered under her sister Simone's name, with the final sale date listed as October 14, 2021. This high-profile real estate debacle highlights potential pitfalls in luxury property transactions, even among celebrities.
