Former Mansion Of William Randolph Hearst On Market In Beverly Hills

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) _ A mansion that once belonged to publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst was put on the market Monday for $165 million. <br/><br/>The seller, attorney-investor Leonard M.

Tuesday, July 10th 2007, 7:14 am

By: News On 6

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) _ A mansion that once belonged to publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst was put on the market Monday for $165 million.

The seller, attorney-investor Leonard M. Ross, bought the Beverly Hills property in 1976 and is seeking a ``lifestyle change,'' said his real-estate broker, Stephen Shapiro.

It is believed to be the nation's most expensive residential listing. The asking price surpassed the $155 million being sought by developers of a 10-bedroom estate in Montana's Big Sky country, and the $135 million price of an Aspen, Colo., compound owned by Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan, former ambassador to the United States.

Hearst bought the mansion in 1947 for about $120,000. The 1920s-era, pink stucco estate is shaped like the letter H and is spread across 6.5 acres north of Sunset Boulevard.

It boasts three pools, 29 bedrooms, a movie theater, a disco and separate residence for the security staff.

Hearst hosted frequent parties for the famous and powerful there. John F. Kennedy and his bride, Jacqueline, spent part of their honeymoon at the estate in 1953. The pair later returned when the mansion was used as the West Coast campaign headquarters for Kennedy's presidential campaign.

The estate was also featured in the film ``The Godfather.''