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New York Post
21 hours ago
- Business
- New York Post
A mystery Microsoft mogul has been quietly assembling the priciest Palm Beach estate near Mar-a-Lago
In a string of blockbuster deals unfolding just north of Mar-a-Lago, a mystery buyer linked to Microsoft has quietly assembled what could become one of the most valuable private estates in the U.S. — a sprawling oceanfront compound in Palm Beach with an estimated price tag between $250 million and $350 million, according to reporting from The Wall Street Journal and The Real Deal. The buyer — whose identity remains unconfirmed but is widely rumored to be Microsoft billionaire Charles Simonyi — has spent the past several months scooping up prime properties on North Ocean Boulevard. According to the Journal, the buyer paid roughly $250 million across four separate deals, while The Real Deal pegs the total value closer to $350 million. Advertisement 8 In Palm Beach, a mystery buyer is quietly assembling one of the most valuable private estates in the country, spending around $250 million so far on a series of high-priced acquisitions near Mar-a-Lago. Getty Images The core of the assemblage comprises two rare oceanfront lots at 1063 and 1071 N. Ocean Blvd., previously owned by cosmetics heir William Lauder. Together, the 2.3-acre parcels offer 360 feet of beach frontage. Lauder, who initially intended to keep the land for personal use, had listed the properties for a combined $177.8 million. Advertisement Sources told TRD the sale went through in February via a transfer of LLCs, rather than a deed, for more than $160 million. 8 The buyer has snapped up four parcels, including two oceanfront lots formerly owned by cosmetics heir William Lauder, a Mediterranean-style home across the street, and a neighboring inland property — all at prices well above market value. Google Maps In June, the same buyer picked up two non-oceanfront homes across the street in separate off-market transactions. A Delaware entity called Creekshore LLC acquired a 3,600-square-foot home at 1066 N. Ocean Blvd. from former Hearst executive Cathie Black and her husband, attorney Thomas Harvey, for $18 million. Advertisement The couple had bought the property for $4.2 million in 2018. 8 The roughly 3-acre assemblage boasts 360 feet of beachfront on North Ocean Boulevard and rivals recent megadeals by Ken Griffin and Jeff Bezos. MEGA 8 Charles Simonyi REUTERS In an email to the Journal, Harvey said he did not know the 'true identity of the buyer,' adding that the offer was unsolicited. Advertisement Next door, another Delaware LLC named Mango Leaf paid $30 million for a 5,800-square-foot home at 1072 N. Ocean Blvd., which last sold for $5.3 million in 2017. Both sale prices far exceeded market value, local brokers told the Journal. Altogether, the assemblage now spans nearly 4.2 acres. If completed as rumored, it would rival Palm Beach's most legendary compounds. 8 One remaining holdout is rock legend Jon Bon Jovi, who reportedly rebuffed overtures to sell his adjacent $43 million estate. Drew Gurian/Invision/AP Billionaire Ken Griffin holds the current record with a 19.3-acre estate assembled for $350 million and expected to be worth over $1 billion upon completion, The Post previously reported. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, meanwhile, has spent about $234 million on Indian Creek Village properties in nearby Miami. While the buyer remains publicly unidentified, incorporation records reviewed by the Journal show ties to Greyson Blue, a Seattle-based attorney with K&L Gates who previously worked for the Gates Foundation. Blue's name appears in the registration of the Delaware entities used in the deals. He did not respond to requests for comment. A person close to the Gates Foundation told the Journal that Bill Gates is not behind the purchases. 8 Though the true buyer remains unidentified, incorporation records link the inland purchases to Seattle-based attorney Greyson Blue, who has ties to the Gates family through his past work at the Gates Foundation. Meghan McCarthy / The Palm Beach Daily News / IMAGN 8 While some speculate Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer or Charles Simonyi could be involved, none have confirmed, and the Gates Foundation denies involvement. Advertisement Simonyi — credited with creating Microsoft Word and Excel — has an estimated net worth of $8.2 billion, according to Forbes. Sources told TRD he is likely the buyer. Other names floated include former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, whose net worth exceeds $140 billion, and Gates himself, whose daughter Jennifer Gates has owned a $33 million equestrian compound in nearby Wellington. Despite the buyer's aggressive push, not every property on the block has been secured. Rock legend Jon Bon Jovi, who owns the mansion at 1075 N. Ocean Blvd., has so far rebuffed offers. 'We just don't have these kinds of large properties available for sale,' said Dana Koch of the Corcoran Group, speaking to the Journal. 'After buying all of these properties at a mind-boggling number, [the buyer] is protecting his investment and affording himself even more privacy.' Advertisement 8 149 E. Inlet Drive. Google Maps Bon Jovi paid $43 million for his 0.7-acre estate in 2020. Records show the 10,000-square-foot home includes six bedrooms, a wine cellar and a gym. Sources told TRD that the buyer is also eyeing the neighboring property at 1055 N. Ocean Blvd., owned by real estate investor William Rickman Jr., who purchased the 1930s-era home for $13.1 million in 2016.
Rhyl Journal
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Dyserth star ‘overwhelmed' after winning Hollywood award
Katie Benbow, with co-star Adam Houghton, won 'Best Acting Duo of the Year' at the IndieX Film Fest for their performances in English Rose. The IndieX Flim Fest is an international short film festival held at the Regal LA Live in Los Angeles, California. Katie outside Regal LA Live in West Hollywood. (Image: Katie Benbow) The film, directed by Alexander Bather from Llandudno, follows a crazed young couple as they do the unthinkable on a thrill ride to freedom, with no one to stop them. Katie, a singer who has appeared on BBC talent show The Voice, said she initially accepted the part 'to do my friend [Bather] a favour' and did not expect the film to be received the way it has. 'My friend from home wrote this film and I wasn't going to do it but ended up doing it last minute - I was just doing my friend my favour,' Katie told the Journal. 'We didn't think it was going to win an award and then won.' Win it did, despite English Rose being one of more than 7,000 films submitted to the awards. Katie composed six original, 'sixties swing soul' songs for the film and also put together the entire music score. READ MORE: Meet the Prestatyn woman who has been awarded an MBE Rhyl officer who delivered baby on first solo shift retires But brushing shoulders with big names in Hollywood was the icing on the cake. Katie continued: 'I didn't expect it to be fancy as it was – there were lots of Hollywood actors and directors there and lots of big actors up for the same awards. 'Frank Sinatra's granddaughter, Nancy Sinatra's daughter, had a film and I didn't realise who she was. 'When she sat and watched our film and she loved it, and I said I loved her dress.' The awards were held at Regal LA Live, a 'super swanky' cinema in the heart of West Hollywood. Director Alexander Bather from Llandudno. (Image: Katie Benbow) Katie said: 'It was quite cool being seen as someone in the industry for a minute and was really good networking there. 'We ended up going to this fancy restaurant with people who had worked on a Ben Affleck film. 'I'd never been to LA before and I lived my American fantasy.' The group behind English Rose hope to arrange a premier-type event in Colwyn Bay, which would show their short films and including workshopping with young actresses and directors from the region.
Rhyl Journal
a day ago
- Health
- Rhyl Journal
Meet the Prestatyn woman who has been awarded an MBE
Vicky Poole was named in the King's Birthday Honours list and has been appointed an MBE for Public Service to Social Care. Ms Poole, who retired last year, had been deputy chief inspector for Care Inspectorate Wales and had worked for the care body and Welsh Government since 2014. Vicky Poole (Image: Vicky Poole) She said being nominated was a 'real surprise' but wished to dedicate the award to social care having worked 'all her life' in the sector. "It's a real honour, I kind of feel it's about social care and I'm glad to celebrate social care as opposed to me personally,' Vicky told the Journal. 'That was the reason I accepted it really – I made sure the award said social care in it because I've worked all my life in social care.' Vicky began her career as a live-in volunteer with palliative and bereavement support charity Sue Ryder in South Yorkshire. She went on to complete mental health nurse training before moving into social care. READ MORE: Rhyl officer who delivered baby on first solo shift retires Seren Gobaith hospital in Rhyl praised by politicians A resident of North Wales since 1990, Vicky held local, regional and national roles in social care before retiring as deputy chief inspector for Care Inspectorate Wales in October. Ms Poole was nominated by her old boss and hadn't known about his recommendation until a letter came through to tell her she had received an MBE. She said: 'When the letter came, it was a real surprise. 'It was my boss who nominated me although I didn't know he had. 'It's good to be recognised. 'I was pleased to accept the honour of an MBE in the hope of contributing in a small way to raising the profile of social care, and of Care Inspectorate Wales - who work so hard to promote high quality social care and childcare.'
The Journal
3 days ago
- Health
- The Journal
Government pledges 'full support' to doctor working to get mobile children's hospital into Gaza
THE IRISH GOVERNMENT has pledged its 'full support' to a doctor who is working to get a mobile children's hospital into Gaza. Yesterday, Dr Mohammed Mustafa, who recently spent time working as an emergency medical doctor in Gaza, visited Leinster House and appealed to the Irish government to help lead the charge to get mobile hospitals into the besieged territory. Today, Dr Mo, as he is known, met with Junior Minister with responsibility for international development Neale Richmond. In a statement issued after the meeting, Richmond said he was grateful to meet with Dr Mo, whom he assured of Ireland's 'full support for his work'. 'The humanitarian blockade imposed on the people of Gaza is outrageous. It was heart-breaking to hear from Dr. Mustafa about the suffering people, including babies and children, are experiencing. 'Denying people access to food and medicine is inhumane and immoral. Ireland has been resolute in its calls for an immediate end to the blockade. I assured Dr. Mustafa of our full support for his work,' Richmond said. The Journal understands Richmond is now set to make enquiries with other countries that may be willing to partner on the initiative. While the Irish government is eager to do what it can to get much-needed aid into Gaza, it's understood there is a concern around how support for this project might work in practice, given the current refusal of the Israeli government to allow aid at the required scale into Gaza. For the last two weeks, two trucks of aid sent by Ireland have been stuck in Jordan, unpermitted to enter. It is expected that the Irish government will liaise with Spain and Slovenia on this specific project. Advertisement Ireland's humanitarian response in Gaza is channelled through UN partners and the Red Cross/Red Crescent societies. Ireland has provided over €88 million in support to the people of Palestine since January 2023, including €21.9 million so far in 2025. Dr Mo's project does not require any funding from the Irish government, instead, he said what is needed is the legitimacy that government support would provide. According to the World Health Organisation, 94% of all hospitals in the Gaza Strip have been damaged or destroyed. As of last month, the World Health Organisation has recorded 697 attacks on health care in Gaza since October 2023. Since leaving Gaza, Dr Mo has been campaigning across the globe to get governments to back plans to get mobile hospitals into Gaza. The mobile hospitals are solar-powered modular buildings with operating theatres, a pharmacy, a cafeteria and a kitchen. In particular, Dr Mo is campaigning to get a 100-bed children's hospital in, as well as a maternity and neonatal hospital. 'This needs to be a government-led initiative. It cannot be an NGO initiative,' Dr Mo said yesterday. 'With NGOs, NGOs get bombed. 'NGOs don't have the leverage to break the siege, but governments do.' According to the Gaza health ministry, more than 56,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Gaza by Israel since the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, in which militants killed about 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Rhyl Journal
3 days ago
- General
- Rhyl Journal
HSE probe after cart 'comes off tracks' at Towyn funfair
The incident is said to have occurred on the Gold Mine Express ride at Knightly's Funfair in Towyn on the afternoon of Saturday, June 21. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has confirmed it is aware of the incident. An eye-witness, who asked not to be named, told the Journal: "The fair ride crashed and injured two people. "It was about 4.20pm. The people were no relation to me. "We were waiting for the next ride and heard a big bang / smash and we saw the carriage at the back come away from the rest of the trains and off the rails and land on the ground. MORE NEWS: Sewage affecting water at two beaches in North Wales 'Plant-Powered' Llandudno café named 'best' in North Wales "Emergency services were called and they came quickly." The eye-witness identified the ride involved as the Gold Mine Express - a runaway mine train-style rollercoaster. They added: "It was pretty horrific and upsetting to see. "We left after that, as did many others." The incident has been notified to HSE in accordance with the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (2013). A HSE spokesperson said: 'We have been notified and are making initial enquiries'. Knightly's have been approached for comment.
