A South Korean royal couple just dropped $12.6 million on a sprawling Southern California estate. Take a look at the lavish 20-acre property.
Katie Warren
- Crown Prince Andrew Lee and Princess Nana Lee of the imperial family of Korea paid $12.6 million for a 20-acre Southern California estate, Jack Flemming reported for the Los Angeles Times.
- The French Formal-style Thousand Oaks estate comes with a 14,000-square-foot mansion, a resort-style infinity pool, a tennis court, and separate guest quarters.
- Lee, a 36-year-old tech entrepreneur who founded VPN company Private Internet Access, didn't know he was descended from Korean royalty until 2013.
- "People think it's cool that I'm royalty [now]," Lee told the South China Morning Post in 2018. "But I don't go around saying 'Hey, I'm a prince', I stay pretty low key."
Crown Prince Andrew Lee and Princess Nana Lee of the imperial family of Korean just dropped $12.6 million on a sprawling Southern California property, Jack Flemming reported for the Los Angeles Times.
The 20-acre Thousand Oaks estate includes a 14,000-square-foot mansion with seven bedrooms, manicured gardens and lawns, a resort-style infinity pool, and a tennis court, according to the listing. It was originally listed for just under $14 million.
Lee, who didn't know he was descended from Korean royalty until 2013, founded popular VPN company Private Internet Access, LTMI, which last year sold to an Israeli cybersecurity firm for $95.5 million.
The estate's listing agent, Tiffany Hu of Hilton & Hyland, declined to comment on the transaction. Danny Ross and Karly Williams of Pinnacle Estate Properties, who represented Lee in the sale, did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.
Take a look around the lavish new home of the South Korean royals.
Crown Prince Andrew Lee, successor to the imperial throne of South Korea, and wife Princess Nana Lee purchased a sprawling Southern California estate for $12.6 million, per the Los Angeles Times.
The French Formal estate sits on 20 acres in Thousand Oaks, about 40 miles from Los Angeles. It was listed for $13,999,000
Lee is a 36-year-old tech entrepreneur who didn't know he was descended from royalty until 2013.
That year, he learned from a "passing reference from a relative," that he was related to Yi Seok, the "nominal emperor" of Korea. Yi Seok is himself a descendant of the Joseon dynasty, which ruled over Korea for more than 500 years until 1897, Crystal Tai reported for the South China Morning Post in 2018.
Born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, Lee founded VPN company Private Internet Access and has launched several other startups.
In 2018, Yi Seok declared Lee to be the "Korean Crown Prince" at a swearing-in ceremony at a high-end restaurant in Beverly Hills, which was attended by Korean government officials and Los Angeles city council members, per the South China Morning Post.
"People think it's cool that I'm royalty [now]," Lee told the Post in 2018. "But I don't go around saying 'Hey, I'm a prince.' I stay pretty low key."
The royal titles are symbolic, as South Korea does not acknowledge a modern monarchy.
For nominal emperor Yi Seok, the sole apparent benefit of his title is a house in his ancestral town that was gifted to him by the mayor. He has been saying for years, however, that he wants to revive the Korean monarchy for tourism purposes. And in 2018, he and Lee said they planned on starting a fund for emerging start-ups in South Korea.
While the Korean Crown Prince may score few royal perks beyond a lavish swearing-in ceremony, Lee has already amassed his own personal fortune. His exact net worth is unknown, but in late 2019, an Israeli cybersecurity firm bought Lee's VPN company for $95.5 million.
The centerpiece of the royal couple's new estate is the 14,000-square-foot mansion, which has seven bedrooms and 13 bathrooms.
Source: Hilton & Hyland
In the spacious master suite, a wall of windows offers panoramic views of the surrounding hills.
Source: Hilton & Hyland
The property was offered for sale with all of its lavish furnishings - including chandeliers and draperies - according to the listing.
Source: Hilton & Hyland
The home's additional amenities include a wine connoisseur's tasting room, a home theater, a gym, and separate guest quarters.
Source: Hilton & Hyland
Expansive outdoor spaces offer ample opportunity for is al fresco dining and entertaining.
Source: Hilton & Hyland
The outdoor swimming pool and spa area have the feel of a high-end resort.
Source: Hilton & Hyland
The infinity pool overlooks the Hidden Valley hills and cities below.
Source: Hilton & Hyland
Lee's purchase was the most expensive home sale in Thousand Oaks in 2020, surpassing the sale of a $10 million villa in February.
Source: Los Angeles Times
READ MORE ARTICLES ON
Popular Right Now
Popular Keywords
Advertisement