Here's Why Def Jam Co-Founder Russell Simmons' House Was So Iconic
Founding the record label Def Jam Recordings (which we can thank for blessing us with Rihanna) alongside Rick Rubin, and counting hip-hop legend Joseph "Run" Simmons among his siblings, Russell Simmons was always going to have a pretty cool house — and we got to see it on the fourth season of "MTV Cribs," the iconic show that took us inside the homes of everyone from Mariah Carey to 50 Cent to the Osbournes.
Simmons' home didn't last, however. The music mogul, who has been accused of sexual misconduct and assault by 20 women and has since stepped down from a number of his business positions (via The New York Times), put the house on the market when he and his wife, Kimora Lee Simmons, divorced in 2008 (via NJ.com). After four years, it sold, and Simmons is reported to now be living in Bali, where there is no extradition treaty to the U.S. (via Consequence of Sound). The house certainly got a lot of admirers when it was owned by the couple. Here's why it was so iconic.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
Russell Simmons' home contained Gianni Versace's old bed
The mansion, which appeared not only on "MTV Cribs" but also "Kimora: Life in the Fast Lane," contained a bed previously owned by the late fashion designer Gianni Versace, and a painting by Faith Ringgold — alongside dog carriers from Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana (via NJ.com). Not only that, but the 35,000 square foot pad has both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a movie theater, a gym and sauna, 10 bedrooms, and even more eye-catching amenities. About 25 miles north of Manhattan, the property was built in 1996 and boasts a gold-leaf ceiling in the dining room, plus a waterfall (via Wall Street Journal). If you can put it in and around a house, Russell Simmons probably did.
Per Variety, Russell and Kimora ended up selling the property for $10 million, taking a loss of $3.5 million as they acquired the house for $13.5 million. It might be iconic, but we can't imagine either of them will be returning in a hurry.