Lauren Sánchez’s Ex-Husband Reportedly Dropped $26 Million on Leonardo DiCaprio’s Former Malibu Estate
Lauren Sánchez, a multifaceted media personality, pilot, and philanthropist, first gained prominence as a TV anchor and co-host of Good Day L.A. before founding her aerial film production company, Black Ops Aviation. Patrick Whitesell, her ex-husband, is a towering figure in the entertainment industry. He remains a prominent media executive who launched a new media company in early 2025. The couple finalized their divorce in 2019. Now, it looks like Whitesell made a major real estate purchase. Here’s what to know about his new place that used to belong to Leonardo DiCaprio.
Lauren Sánchez’s ex-husband, Patrick Whitesell, reportedly bought Leonardo DiCaprio’s former property
Patrick Whitesell, one of Hollywood’s most influential behind-the-scenes powerbrokers, has built a formidable financial legacy. As of 2025, industry estimates place his net worth at around $450 million. This largely stems from his executive leadership at Endeavor (formerly WME/IMG) and significant equity holdings from Endeavor’s IPO. Whitesell’s personal life has also drawn public interest, as he was married to Lauren Sánchez from 2005 until their amicable divorce in 2019. Since 2021, he’s been married to Australian actress Pia Miller, and the couple resides in an opulent Los Angeles mansion.
According to North Hillcrest, Whitesell recently spent $26.7 million on a Malibu compound once owned by Leonardo DiCaprio. And The Hollywood Reporter reports that DiCaprio originally sold the beachfront Cape Cod–style compound for $17.35 million. The actor bought the place for just $6 million in 2002.
The property isn’t a single house, but an elegant trio of connected structures. It includes a main residence and two private guesthouses with a combined total of seven bedrooms and six bathrooms. Spanning less than half an acre, the estate offers enviable features: a gym, dual kitchens, hardwood floors, a rooftop terrace, and decks that seamlessly merge indoor comfort with panoramic beach views, according to Forbes.
Patrick Whitesell previously bought a $42 million mansion in Los Angeles
Patrick Whitesell’s ownership of one of Los Angeles’s most opulent addresses underscores both his status and his taste for refined discretion. In 2021, he acquired a sprawling 19,300-square-foot Mediterranean-style palazzo at 545 South Mapleton Drive in Holmby Hills for approximately $42.9 million, according to Rich Report.
Set on a lush 1.3-acre compound, the gated property that once belonged to the former CEO of Williams-Sonoma boasts five bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and four powder rooms, all graced with high-end finishes like limestone floors, Venetian plaster, groin vault ceilings, a screening room, a wine cellar, and koi ponds.
According to DailyMail.com, Pia Miller showed off the home on Instagram. She gave fans a glimpse of the spacious interior and how she decorated the place. Miller and Whitesell appeared to choose neutral colors for the floors and walls while going for bold wall art. One photo shows a bright pink art piece on one wall, while the furniture in the room is brown and beige.
Miller also showed off her Yuletide decorations in December, which included multiple trees wrapped in white lights and white candles. The large arched doorways were also decorated with matching lights.
Lauren Sánchez had an amicable divorce with her ex-husband
Patrick Whitesell and Lauren Sánchez brought their 14-year marriage to a close in a manner that reflected the professionalism both were known for. In April 2019, shortly after Jeff Bezos finalized his own divorce, Sánchez filed for separation from Whitesell. Both parties requested joint physical custody of their two children and stipulated that no child or spousal support would be exchanged. This straightforward arrangement was reinforced by their prenuptial agreement, according to TMZ.
To avoid public scrutiny, they appointed celebrity divorce mediator Laura Wasser. By October of that year, the agreement was finalized and filed, allowing both to move forward with dignity and privacy.
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