Jan Koum, co-founder of WhatsApp, is paying $ 87 million for a mansion in Malibu, California, right next to one he already owns, according to two people familiar with the transaction.
The transaction is the latest major ticket offer for Mr. Koum in the Los Angeles area. In 2019, he bought neighboring Malibu property from entertainment executive Ron Meyer for $ 100 million. Then last year, Mr. Koum spent $ 125 million on the estate of Quibi founder Jeffrey Katzenberg of Beverly Hills.
The seller of the latest transaction is Diana Jenkins, a Bosnian-born entrepreneur and philanthropist. Ms Jenkins, founder of health drinks company Neuro Drinks, was previously married to British financier Roger Jenkins. Her house went on sale in May last year for $ 125 million, The Wall Street Journal reported. It is located in Malibu’s Paradise Cove, and its former owners include Barry Diller and late country singer Kenny Rogers.
Perched on a cliff top, the property has its own ocean-going funicular (Mr Rogers was fined $ 2 million by local authorities for installing it). Covering an area of almost 3 acres, it includes a one-story, five-bedroom house with a vaulted ceiling, lace floor and floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto the gardens. It also has a dance studio and a recording studio. On the grounds, there is a three-bedroom guest house, a swimming pool, a waterfall and a koi pond, a sports field and a security house.
The funicular leads to an oceanfront cottage that has a retractable ceiling, a wet bar, a built-in barbecue and a hearth.