Singer Jessica Simpson has decided to pull her expansive Los Angeles mansion off the market, nearly a year after it was initially listed for $17.9 million (AUD $27.4 million). This decision comes in the midst of her ongoing divorce from husband Eric Johnson.
Simpson, 45, and Johnson, 46, first put their Hidden Hills home up for sale on January 11, just two days before publicly announcing their separation. At the time, Simpson told “Entertainment Tonight” that the couple had been “living separately” for some time.
“Eric and I have been living separately navigating a painful situation in our marriage,” Simpson said. “Our children come first, and we are focusing on what is best for them. We are grateful for all of the love and support that has been coming our way, and appreciate privacy right now as we work through this as a family.”
The Hidden Hills Estate: A Closer Look
The couple’s January listing marked their second attempt to sell the seven-bedroom mansion, initially priced at $22 million (AUD $33.7 million) in September 2023, according to Realtor reports. The 13,200-square-foot estate was purchased by Simpson and Johnson for $11.5 million (AUD $17.6 million) in 2013, shortly before their wedding in Montecito.
The property was marketed as a “private retreat” featuring “mesmerizing city lights and mountain views that will leave you breathless.” Among its awe-inspiring features are eight spacious ensuite bedrooms, a guesthouse with a kitchenette, and a study with a warm fireplace. Extensive renovations tailored the home to their lifestyle, including a vibrant recording studio for Simpson’s music projects.
Unique design elements like zebra-print couches and floral wallpaper add character, while an enormous pool and multiple outdoor dining areas offer stunning views and a perfect setting for enjoying the California sun.
Simpson’s Los Angeles Exit Strategy
Despite the property’s significance as the family home for over a decade, Simpson has expressed a desire to leave Los Angeles. Speaking to her sister, Ashlee Simpson Ross, in an interview for The Cut, she revealed that a temporary move to Nashville to write her latest album, “Nashville Canyon,” sparked this realization.
“As mothers, we’re people pleasers. We want to make sure everybody’s happy, nobody’s crying,” she said. “We come last here in L.A. I needed to go somewhere where I was first. Not that I didn’t think of my children.”
During her time in Nashville, Simpson continued to co-parent her three children—Maxwell, 12, Ace, 11, and Birdie, 5—while living in a rental property. The children split their time between Tennessee and the California mansion with their father.
Nashville: A New Beginning?
While Simpson is not yet committed to a permanent move to Nashville, she is confident in her decision to leave Los Angeles. Her time in Tennessee offered a reprieve from the paparazzi and a chance to focus on her music without distractions.
“Another great thing about Nashville is there’s no paparazzi. I literally was doing cartwheels down the Walmart aisles,” she joked.
Despite the split, Simpson praised Johnson for supporting her decision to relocate temporarily for her album. “It is a gift. Eric supported that gift. My kids supported that gift,” she noted.
Her decision to leave Los Angeles was solidified during her daughter Maxwell’s 11th birthday celebration in Nashville, a moment she described as “seeing the light.”
Future Uncertainties
Although Simpson has taken her home off the market, she remains undecided about her next steps. Recent Instagram posts show her still using the Hidden Hills property, indicating she may hold onto it until her divorce is finalized or until she decides on her next move.
One photo, taken before the premiere of Ryan Murphy’s new Hulu series, “All’s Fair,” shows Simpson posing in her entryway, with the home’s distinctive floral wallpaper in the background. Another post features her daughter, Birdie, dressed as Simpson in the recording studio for spirit week at school.
As Simpson navigates this transitional period, the future of her real estate decisions remains uncertain. Whether she will ultimately settle in Nashville or find another location that suits her evolving lifestyle is yet to be determined.
