Grammy winners Beyoncé and Jay-Z may soon be forced to evacuate their $200 million Malibu mansion as wildfires threaten the affluent Paradise Cove area. The Los Angeles Fire Department placed the region under evacuation warnings due to the “potential threat to life and/or property.”
Residents have been urged to leave immediately, especially those with pets or livestock, as Santa Ana winds intensify fire conditions.
Wildfire Threaten Celebrity Homes
The couple’s estate is the most expensive home ever purchased in the state of California, acquired in 2023 for $200 million, according to Architectural Digest.
Originally listed for $296 million, the property designed by famed Japanese architect Tadao Ando spans 30,000 square feet and features museum-style architecture and a custom pool. Designed for privacy and luxury, the all-concrete structure boasts unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean and serves as the primary residence for the couple and their three children: Blue Ivy and twins Rumi and Sir.
The Paradise Cove mansion, which broke records for its price tag, symbolizes the extreme end of Malibu’s luxury housing market. Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s acquisition surpassed the previous state record set in 2021, when venture capitalist Marc Andreessen purchased a nearby property for $177 million.
The wildfires began earlier this week under dangerous weather conditions and have spread rapidly due to powerful Santa Ana winds. Within 12 hours, the blaze expanded from 2,200 acres to over 3,000 acres, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders for areas east of Malibu Canyon Road, south of Piuma Road, and in the Serra Retreat neighborhood, according to Newsweek.
The Carters are not the only high-profile homeowners affected. The fire has disrupted Malibu’s celebrity enclave, which includes residents like Dick Van Dyke, Barbra Streisand, Julia Roberts, Cher, and Lady Gaga. Many of the these stars have already evacuated, though there is no confirmation the Carters have done so. The area, known for its exclusive properties, has become a focal point for the risks posed by natural disasters in California.
The wildfires threat isn’t the only challenge facing the Carters. While dealing with the wildfire emergency, the couple is also navigating a legal issue involving the “99 Problems” recording artist. The Roc Nation founder recently was accused in a lawsuit filing of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old in 2000.
The rapper swiftly addressed the claim, strongly denying the allegations in a statement on his company’s Instagram account, expressing concern over how the situation could affect their eldest child, Blue Ivy.
Despite the ongoing legal and environmental difficulties, the couple has been able to get a reprieve by celebrating their daughter Blue Ivy’s debut in the new Disney “Mufasa: The Lion King” premiere on Dec. 9. While Beyoncé is also in the film, all attention was on the 12-year-old and her special moment.
However, after lights and camera of the premiere have dimmed, the crisis at home remains.
The ongoing wildfire crisis serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability even the wealthiest individuals face in disaster-prone areas. Local authorities have emphasized that residents should prioritize safety over property, with LAFD urging those in evacuation zones to comply with orders immediately. Emergency crews are employing aerial support, bulldozers, and hundreds of personnel to control the spread, but containment remains a challenge as winds continue to shift unpredictably.
