The Playboy Mansion Is Officially Owned By Someone Other Than Hugh Hefner

The Los Angeles Times says that after being on the market for seven months, the Playboy Mansion has been sold for $100 million. The romantic in me was hoping that Hugh Hefner would sell it to a bunny with big dreams and a piggy bank full of crumpled-up singles, but the truth is a lot less cute than that. It was bought by a 33-year-old son of a billionaire named Darren Metropoulos who owns an investment company that co-owns brands like Hostess, Chef Boyardee, and Duncan Hines. There were rumors that Darren’s deal to buy the place fell apart, but that didn’t happen, and now he owns the Playboy Mansion. Do I smell some kind of creative tie-in with Chef Boyardee? Playboy Bunny-shaped pasta and questionable meatballs in a creamy alfredo sauce.

Darren won’t actually be able to move in anytime soon. Hugh Hefner has lived at the Playboy Mansion for 45 years, and according to a stipulation in the sale, he’s allowed to live there for the rest of his life. Playboy Enterprises will pay $1 million a year to lease the property from Billionaire Darren.

$100 million may seem like a whole lot of money for a home that you can’t live in until the current tenant dies, is covered in wood-paneling, and comes with a lawn covered in peacock poop. But compared to the asking price, it was a steal. The Playboy Mansion was originally listed at $200 million. $100 million is also the biggest home sale recorded in Los Angeles history. To put it into perspective, Spelling Manor sold for $85 million. But really, the money is irrelevant. I mean, how can you put a price on the smell of old man, sun-baked silicone, Viagra, peroxide, hair extension glue, and clean-up rags?

Pic: E!