Lily Safra House is one of those names that instantly makes people curious. It’s not just a house-it’s a legend. People from all over the world whisper about its beauty, its secrets, and the woman who called it home. And, when you hear the price tag-$750 million-you know you’re about to read about something truly special. The Lily Safra House, or Villa La Leopolda as it’s officially known, sits on the sparkling French Riviera, where the sea glitters and the rich and famous come to play. But what makes this house so famous? Why is it called the Lily Safra House? And who was Lily Safra, the woman behind the legend?
Let’s take a walk through her extraordinary life, her jaw-dropping real estate, and the story of a house that’s more like a palace. Along the way, you’ll discover why the Lily Safra House is more than just bricks and mortar-it’s a symbol of glamour, drama, and generosity.
Who is Lily Safra?
Lily Safra wasn’t born into royalty or riches. She started life as Lily Watkins in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on December 30, 1934. Her father, Wolf White Watkins, was a railway engineer from Czechoslovakia, and her mother, Annita, was of Russian Jewish descent. Growing up in Rio de Janeiro, Lily learned to speak five languages and carried herself with a quiet confidence.
But Lily’s life was anything but simple. She married four times, each marriage bringing new adventures, heartbreaks, and, eventually, great wealth. Her first husband was Mario Cohen, an Argentine hosiery magnate. They had three children but divorced in the early 1960s. Her second marriage was to Alfredo Monteverde, a Romanian immigrant and business leader in Brazil. When he died suddenly in 1969, Lily inherited his fortune and moved to London.
But the real turning point came when she met Edmond Safra, a legendary banker from a wealthy Lebanese Jewish family. They married in 1976, and together, they built a life filled with luxury, travel, and philanthropy. Edmond founded the Republic National Bank of New York, and the couple split their time between homes in New York, Monaco, Geneva, and, of course, the famous Villa La Leopolda on the French Riviera.
Lily Safra’s net worth was estimated at $1.3 billion, thanks to her inheritance from both Monteverde and Safra, as well as her own investments. She was known for her love of art, her impressive jewelry collection, and her generous donations to charities worldwide. She supported everything from medical research to disaster relief, and her name is attached to hospitals, museums, and research centers around the globe
Lily also had a taste for the finer things in life. She owned multiple homes, drove luxury cars, and even had a private jet. Her son, Carlos Monteverde, is known for his collection of historic racing cars, showing that the love for beautiful things runs in the family
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lily Watkins Safra (née Watkins) |
| Date of Birth | December 30, 1934 |
| Place of Birth | Porto Alegre, Brazil |
| Date of Death | July 9, 2022 |
| Citizenship | Brazil, Monaco |
| Net Worth | $1.3 billion |
| Main Residence | Villa La Leopolda, Villefranche-sur-Mer, France |
| Other Homes | New York City, Monaco, Geneva, London |
| Notable Assets | Villa La Leopolda, luxury cars, private jet, art and jewelry collections |
| Children | 4 (including Carlos Monteverde) |
| Philanthropy | Edmond J. Safra Foundation, International Sephardic Education Foundation |
| Famous Yacht | None publicly listed, but known for luxury lifestyle |
| Private Jets | Yes |
| Notable Cars | Family collection includes historic racing cars (Carlos Monteverde) |
Where Did Lily Safra Live?
Lily Safra was a true citizen of the world. She lived in some of the most glamorous places on earth. Her main home was the Lily Safra House-Villa La Leopolda-on the French Riviera. But that was just the crown jewel in a collection of stunning homes.
She also owned a luxurious apartment in Monaco, a city famous for its casinos and royal family. In New York, she lived in a penthouse at 820 Fifth Avenue, one of the city’s most exclusive addresses. She even had a mansion in London’s Belgravia, on Eaton Square, known for its grand houses and famous neighbors
But it was always Villa La Leopolda that stole the show. This was the place where she hosted glittering parties, welcomed celebrities, and enjoyed the sunshine and sea views. Friends said it was her favorite home, and it’s easy to see why.
Lily Safra House: The Legendary Villa La Leopolda
If houses could talk, Villa La Leopolda would have stories to tell for centuries. Known as the Lily Safra House, this villa is more than just a home-it’s a living piece of history. It sits on 18 acres (about 20 acres in some reports) of gardens and terraces, overlooking the Mediterranean in Villefranche-sur-Mer, just outside Nice, France
Where is Lily Safra House?
The Lily Safra House, or Villa La Leopolda, is perched on the French Riviera, in Villefranche-sur-Mer. This spot is famous for its breathtaking views, mild weather, and glamorous neighbors. The villa is surrounded by lush gardens, olive groves, and cypress trees. From the windows, you can see the sparkling blue sea and the hills of the Côte d’Azur
The address itself is a symbol of wealth and style. Villefranche-sur-Mer is close to Monaco, Cannes, and Nice, making it a favorite spot for billionaires, movie stars, and royalty. But even in this crowd, the Lily Safra House stands out.
Features of Lily Safra House
Villa La Leopolda isn’t just big-it’s beautiful. The villa was designed in the late 1920s by American architect Ogden Codman, Jr., who turned a group of old buildings into a single, grand estate. The house is built in a neo-Palladian style, with graceful columns, wide terraces, and huge windows that let in the sunshine
Inside, the villa is just as impressive. Renzo Mongiardino, a famous Italian designer, decorated the main rooms, while Mica Ertegun worked on the upstairs bedrooms. Every room is filled with art, antiques, and treasures from around the world. The house has high ceilings, marble floors, and walls painted in soft, elegant colors
But it’s the gardens that really make the Lily Safra House special. There are over 1,200 olive trees, orange groves, rose gardens, and winding paths. There’s even a swimming pool, a greenhouse, and a helipad for guests who want to arrive in style
The villa has 19 bedrooms, multiple dining rooms, and enough space to host huge parties. In fact, Lily and Edmond Safra once spent $2 million on a single party, flying in tulips from Holland and musicians from all over the world Guests at their events included royalty, movie stars, and business leaders.
The house is also famous for its security. At one point, it was guarded by former Israeli commandos, making it one of the safest homes in the world
And, of course, there’s the price. In 2008, Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov tried to buy the villa for 500 million euros (about $750 million), making it one of the most expensive homes ever sold. When the deal fell through, Lily Safra donated his $39 million deposit to charity
Lily Safra’s Real Estate Portfolio
Lily Safra didn’t just own one amazing house-she had a whole collection. Let’s take a look at some of the homes that made her one of the world’s top real estate collectors.
Villa La Leopolda (Lily Safra House)
- Location: Villefranche-sur-Mer, French Riviera, France
- Area: 18-20 acres
- Style: Neo-Palladian, luxury villa
- Features: 19 bedrooms, grand salons, multiple dining rooms, vast gardens, swimming pool, helipad, olive groves, rose gardens, art and antiques, top-level security
- Value: $750 million (2008 estimate)/li>
Monaco Penthouse
- Location: Monaco
- Features: Overlooks the Mediterranean, luxury interiors, high security, close to casinos and royal family
- Notable: Edmond Safra died here in 1999 in a fire that made global headlines
New York City Apartment
- Address: 820 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
- Features: One of the city’s most exclusive buildings, high ceilings, Central Park views
- Value: Sold one apartment for $40 million, bought another for $33 million in the same building/li>
London Mansion
- Address: Eaton Square, Belgravia, London
- Features: Six floors, seven bedrooms, indoor swimming pool, staff quarters, library, multiple reception rooms
- Value: Sold for £33 million (about $45 million guide price)/li>
Geneva Home
- Location: Geneva, Switzerland
- Features: Luxury interiors, beautiful views, privacy
Childhood and Previous Homes
Lily grew up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and lived in Montevideo, Uruguay, as a child. After her second husband’s death, she moved to London, where she started building her real estate empire.
She also spent time in other homes around the world, including properties in Paris and other parts of the French Riviera.
The Heart of the Lily Safra House: Stories and Secrets
People love to gossip about the Lily Safra House, and it’s easy to see why. The villa has hosted some of the world’s most famous people. At one party, guests received enameled boxes with tiny portraits of the villa. Tulips were flown in from Holland, and the food was prepared by world-class chefs. Musicians like Sérgio Mendes played for the crowd, making every event unforgettable
The house has also seen its share of drama. Edmond Safra’s tragic death in Monaco in 1999 shocked the world. The story made headlines everywhere, and even inspired books and movies.
But Lily Safra’s story is about more than just wealth and tragedy. She used her fortune to help others. She donated millions to hospitals, museums, and charities. She sold her jewelry to raise money for good causes, and her foundation has given away over $250 million to support science, medicine, and education
Why Is the Lily Safra House So Famous?
There are a few reasons why the Lily Safra House is one of the world’s most famous homes:
- History: The villa was once owned by King Leopold II of Belgium, who gave it to his mistress. It’s been used as a military hospital, a movie set, and a playground for the rich and famous
- Design: The house is a masterpiece of architecture and interior design, with gardens that rival any palace in Europe.
- Value: At $750 million, it’s one of the most expensive homes ever listed for sale.
- Celebrity: Lily Safra was a true celebrity, known for her style, her parties, and her generosity.
- Mystery: Stories about secret buyers, lost fortunes, and glittering parties add to the legend.
Conclusion
The Lily Safra House isn’t just a home-it’s a piece of living history. It’s the kind of place people dream about, where every room tells a story and every garden path leads to a new adventure. Lily Safra’s life was filled with ups and downs, but she turned her fortune into something beautiful, both for herself and for the world.
And, even though Lily Safra passed away in 2022, her legacy lives on. Her house stands as a symbol of elegance, generosity, and the magic of the French Riviera. Whether you’re interested in real estate, history, or just love a good story, the Lily Safra House is a name you’ll never forget.
To sum up, the Lily Safra House is truly a one-of-a-kind place that shows off beauty, history, and luxury, and you can always find more amazing stories like this on olivihome.
FAQs About Lily Safra and the Safra Family
Did Lily Safra get an inheritance?
Yes, Lily Safra received significant inheritances during her life. After the death of her second husband, Alfredo Monteverde, she inherited his fortune, which was estimated at $200 million at the time Later, when her fourth husband, Edmond Safra, passed away in 1999, she inherited a large portion of his estate-reportedly around $800 million, with the rest going to family and charities Her net worth at the time of her death was estimated at $1.3 billion, mostly from these inheritances
How did Lily Safra make her money?
Lily Safra’s wealth mainly came from inheritances left by her wealthy husbands, particularly Alfredo Monteverde and Edmond Safra She also grew her fortune through smart investments, real estate, and art collections. While she was known for her philanthropy and socialite status, her primary source of wealth was the assets she inherited from her late husbands
What is the religion of the Safra family?
The Safra family is of Jewish faith, specifically Sephardic Jewish descent. They originated from Aleppo, Syria, and have always maintained strong Jewish traditions, including supporting Jewish communities and causes around the world. Edmond Safra, in particular, was described as a man deeply driven by his faith and kept a strictly kosher diet.
Who is the wife of Safra?
Edmond Safra’s wife was Lily Safra (née Watkins). They married in 1976 and remained together until his death in 1999. After Edmond’s passing, Lily became well known for her philanthropic work and leadership of the Edmond J. Safra Foundation.
