L
ily Allen and David Harbour are not the only celebrity couples whose breakups have turned into real‑estate headlines. Allen’s latest album, “West End Girl,” has been dubbed a post‑divorce revenge record, with lyrics hinting at an unnamed partner’s infidelity and the pressure to buy an unaffordable brownstone. The townhouse in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn that the pair bought for $3.35 million in early 2021 is now listed for nearly $8 million, a potential doubling of their investment if it sells at the asking price. The song’s verses reference the sprawling pad, with Allen singing about the “four or five floor” houses and the “brownstone” that was pushed on her.
In the same vein, the high‑profile split of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck has kept a 12‑bedroom Beverly Hills estate in the spotlight. The property, originally purchased for almost $61 million, was re‑listed this September for $52 million after a steep $9 million price cut from its July 2024 asking of $68 million. The couple’s divorce, filed late last year, has left the mansion on an on‑again, off‑again market cycle.
Hollywood’s divorce news has also spurred quick sales elsewhere. Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannuli’s Hidden Hills home, listed at $16.5 million in February, closed for about $14.95 million in less than a year. The 11,800‑square‑foot estate, which the couple announced their separation from earlier this month, changed hands swiftly after the split.
Jessica Alba and Cash Warren’s 1.85‑acre Beverly Hills property, bought in 2017 for $10 million, was listed for $18.99 million in February and sold for $18.2 million in June. The nearly 9,000‑square‑foot home, renovated extensively, turned a modest profit for the former 17‑year marriage.
Even reality‑TV couples have navigated the market. Jesse Lally and Michelle Saniei, both luxury real‑estate agents and former Bravo stars, listed their Studio City home for $4.2 million in February. Despite their divorce announcement in 2024, the pair sold the mid‑century property for $3.7 million in April, proving that professional collaboration can outlast personal ties.
Not all ex‑couples are ready to part with their assets. Hugh Jackman and Deborra‑Lee Furness, who bought a $22 million Manhattan penthouse in 2022, transferred ownership to an LLC tied to Furness and their financial advisor shortly after filing for divorce in May. The three‑bedroom Chelsea loft remains in the couple’s possession, though its future status is uncertain.
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s real‑estate portfolio has also come under scrutiny. Their seven‑bedroom Nashville compound, purchased in 2008 for $3.47 million, served as their primary home throughout their 27‑year marriage. Kidman plans to stay there until her children finish college, but the fate of their other properties in California, New York, Australia, and Europe remains unclear.
These cases illustrate how celebrity divorces can trigger a flurry of high‑profile real‑estate transactions, with homes ranging from Brooklyn townhouses to Beverly Hills mansions and Manhattan penthouses. While some couples quickly liquidate assets, others hold onto their properties, leaving the market to decide their ultimate value.
