Bellosguardo, a reclusive heiress' historic home

[@twilightpurpleglow]

What a lovely place! I have read a little bit about Huguette Clark and I am glad to know her Santa Barbara Mansion will be opened for visitors, that should pay a bit for the up keep. Imagine that "all the money in the world cannot but health, love and happiness". Her paintings look lovely. Thank You Jane Pauley; as always so charming and a beautiful soothing voice.

[@andytaylor5476]

Finally! So glad it's intact and the public will now be able to tour it.

[@christsciple]

This is really great! I'm from Montana, spent many years living in Butte where William Clark made his fortune and left a series of unmistakable marks. For those that don't know; Butte, MT was called "The richest Hill on Earth" due to the vast amounts ore under the mountains - most of which was copper. Clark made a good chunk of his fortune from that copper, and that fortune was inherited by his children, including none other than Huguette Clark, who used that money to live, and purchase and build homes such as the very one shown here! That copper ore was then shipped to Great Falls, home of at one point, one of the largest smoke stacks in the world. That copper ore was refined and turned into different products, primarily copper wire, which was then shipped as far East as New York City, to meet the demands of that growing town. Butte was the largest city between Seattle and Minneapolis circa the early 1900's boasting a population of nearly 120,000 people, most of whom were immigrants, and of those, most were Irish. Teddy Roosevelt stopped by in 1903 and ate Chinese food there. Believe it or not, the oldest Chinese restaurant in all the United States is in Butte, and still operating to this day! Anyways, the Clark name is still very recognizable to the people of Butte to this day and their legacy there runs deep!

[@honeydooda]

Thank you! This was truly wonderful to read and learn. I hope more people see it. On my way to Glacier Park, I passed through Butte and remembered seeing that Very Tall smoke stack. Now I know what I saw!

[@jeankroeber2481]

"Empty Mansions", one of the most fascinating books I have ever read, is revelatory for its unique cast of characters and unfolding true saga. This will captivate many, who will be traveling a path of history on two continents to finally attain the conclusion of this intriguing family history.

[@situated4]

It was a dark and stormy night.

[@eliasjanetis]

Agreed! Fantastic book

[@ElizabethDohertyThomas]

Thanks! Just put it on hold at the library. I'm in awe that someone has 40k/month for 70 years plus all the other houses and lifestyle expenses. That is a level of wealth I can not comprehend.

[@keithjohnson5398]

Such an interesting story, the family was generous with the city too, donating property across the street eons ago for a bird refuge and maybe the zoo, I forget the details. Good to know that it will be open for tours.

[@eric-olufsvee9529]

The father was rotten-a thief who stole from the state of Montana to earn his wealth. He was so corrupt that the first campaign finance laws in the US were written in his ”honor”. They were in place until the Citizens United case. Mark Twain had a few choice comments about him.

[@lewstone5430]

Keith stop pandering to the wealthy who could care less about your existence.

[@ediebaxter6194]

It is very beautiful house. I am glad they are opening it up to tour.

[@Jack-eo5fn]

She failed to mention that Hueget was not sick in the hospital, she rented the hospital room because she was afraid to go outside. She stayed in that room where she died 20 years later, leaving the mansion in CA and an even larger mansion on NYC completely untouched but fully staffed 24/7 for decades. She also had another castle like mansion in CT fully staffed and never visited. Interesting biography I’d commend to any who enjoy reading about eccentric characters.

[@lewstone5430]

Sounds like a tremendous waste of resources better used elsewhere, but as long as you find it ‘interesting’.

[@pattyayers]

@@Jack-eo5fn Why don’t you go away? Just a thought.

[@michaelkline884]

Do you know if the funds for the upkeep of this property come from her estate?

[@Jack-eo5fn]

@@michaelkline884, yes that’s in the 2 biographies about her life. She paid the staff in each home very well. She talked by phone to the heads of staff regularly but the only one to actually meet her in person was the head of her NY house which had been her mothers home before her. All employees at her houses interviewed spoke very highly of her. She was especially generous to her “nurse” and the nurse’s husband and kids who were immigrant Latinos who lived in Queens. I don’t think the nurse ever asked for anything but Huegette gave her millions over 20 years. In fairness, the nurse practically abandoned her own family because H wanted her in her room sitting next to her 14 hours daily, including holidays and weekends. H realized the sacrifice of the family and continually wrote them generous checks, bought them nice cars, etc. She considered the nurse’s family her own fantasy family. They were her only regular visitors at the hospital. H was originally taken to the hospital as a cancer patient and had her right jaw removed which disfigured her face considerably. It was speculated this was another reason she didn’t appear in public or want people around her, except for this nurse. She also gave the hospital 1 million when alive, in addition to the daily rent for the room, and another million by bequest. Her estate was over 500 M at the time of her death. Her father was an angry US Senator from Montana in the early 1900’s but the family never lived there. He made big money from his copper mines in Montana but left the mountains an ugly toxic waste when he died. H obviously had childhood developmental issues of some kind but never diagnosed in those days. She later amassed the largest china doll collection in the world and kept many of the dolls in her hospital room to play with. I think she died in the 1990’s, leaving millions more to her nurse but very little to her nephews and nieces who later sued and won a fair amount in court. It was also proven in court that most of them never met her or tried to visit her. Most of her estate was left to art museums and the biggest beneficiary was the famous Corcoran Art museum in Washington DC. She left her 3 mansions to the cities in which they existed, to be used as museums of art for the public.

[@drahaman]

Well thank you for doing a better job of reporting than CBS. Now I'm going to look into the biography.

[@buckeyefangirl1976]

Glad they are opening it for yours. So many glorious old homes are torn down now for ugly gaudy Mc Mansions to be built. Glad this one will stay. Beautiful.

[@Davido50]

I love my McMansion! It's my castle friend.

[@steveconn]

Beautiful. Reminds me of Jackie Kennedy's family home Hammersmith Farm in Newport. Nice paintings.

[@shirleynitka5030]

I always had such sympathy for their daughter. She led a terribly sheltered & alone life. All the money in the world doesn't buy the one thing she actually wanted & needed. After her death everybody wanted a piece of the pie. So sad.

[@ellencarter2668]

Since we have no information on her thought life, it's presumptuous to say she never had the one thing she wanted or needed. Seems to me solitude was the one thing she craved the most and she achieved that. Being alone is not the same as being lonely. When you consider the tragic lives of the other 'million dollar babies' of her generation, I'd say apart from her health challenges she lived a great life. Most wealthy people are surrounded by sycophants who suck the life out if them. She avoided that fate by how she chose to live her life.

[@catlover34fl]

@@ellencarter2668 Very well said! Solitude can be glorious. I treasure it.

[@davidhennen7045]

@@ellencarter2668Amen! My other half and I come from big families and have not visited or been visited by them in 20 years and we love it, too much drama and diapers, lol.😁😁

[@orion8835]

Who cares.

[@brendababyify]

Surely the family made money on the backs of somebody

[@elizabethcantarell5094]

Beautiful report. Will add to my bucket list . Thank You Jane Pauley always so charming. Be blessed.

[@josealonso7478]

I am fortunate to live an hour away from this epic mansion. Believe it I will be ready to buy tickets to go and see this historic place as soon as they are available.

[@Toomuchlaffing]

finally! the locals have been waiting and wanting the house opened for years to appreciate. the only time we get to see it if u don't work there or for the local government is if u peek over the cemetery wall.

[@riverafranzjethrod.5272]

I'm surprised that this mansion still retains its contents, I thought all of the contents was already auctioned off.

[@zerxilk8169]

I am glad they opened it up for guests. all the very best.

[@thekeith-donovanexperience]

Stunning

[@buffalogal9139]

The book "Empty Mansions" is a good read, enjoyed it.

[@carmensantana1374]

Sad but beautiful 🥺❤️

[@clarisahernandez5280]

Can you imagine that much money? Definitely an interesting perhaps sad story. I can't decide where I come down on this.

[@marla591]

It is the height of selfishness and I don't understand why anyone would celebrate this as a good thing. Her properties and wealth could have gone to orphanges, treatment centers, even a sanctuary for endangered and sick animals or even as a sanctuary for the mentally ill, like she was. Because she was obviously mentally ill or perhaps her selfish ways brought in the madness. No wonder she lived so long. Only the good die young.

[@brendababyify]

The family made money on the backs of somebody

[@sidneyboo9704]

The lady seems to be very talented painter.

[@margauxcamaya]

Clark County in Nevada was named after Sen. William Clark.

[@FreeSpirit47]

This is so beautiful! Right near the ocean. If they need caretakers, where do I apply?

[@margo3367]

Drive 100 miles north and visit San Simeon, Randolph Hearses’ mansion.

[@woodswal]

Amazing talented woman. I wish I had the gift of painting.

[@aaron___6014]

Get started today at a local college or use online tutorials. It's a skill that you learn and then practice for hours every week for decades. One isn't born with the ability to draw or paint. I look at my early art and it's no different than any other child's, but I spent hours drawing and then took classes at a college where I learned fundamental techniques. You can do it, take the first steps.

[@TheDarkDresser]

@@aaron___6014 One day several years ago, I picked up a pencil and pad and began drawing , something I hadn't done since I was a child. Back then I drew stick figures, and can count on one hand the number of times I tried drawing anything. Well, I was pleasantly surprise at the results and wondered how I was able to do such a relatively good job. I attribute it to looking at my and also other people's faces all my life, in magazines and in person. I've also been wearing makeup since I was a around 14, so that may have helped. I imagine how much better I would be, if I took classes and maybe I will one day. Right now I'm more interested in sewing classes.

[@XX-gy7ue]

how sad , but it happens in all our lives , in one way or the other !

[@lilithrogers5204]

Wow, beautful but so sad that it's empty when sooooo many people need a home....

[@SandyWolf-]

Wow! It's been my dream to go to California , I'd definitely make a stop here!👍😁

[@kathykoch1060]

What is the music that’s being playing

[@KatieG55]

CLAUDE DEBUSSY: CLAIR DE LUNE

[@drahaman]

Poorly reported segment.

[@sinclairlewis6764]

Hugette Clark chosed to live inside the hospital in a suite. She had around the clark nurses. One of those nurses took advantage of her kindness to the tune of millions..sad.

[@JC-oz6xn]

Condos!

[@sunshine09944]

I would live here

[@touchofgrey5372]

I may be the only one saying this but I think the mansion purchased by Senator William Clark was far more grandeur and elegant then what his widow had built! The new building looks like an abandoned prison or a poorly designed hotel!

[@jws1948ja]

This says everything and nothing. . .

[@marla591]

The is a fluff piece similar to Pauley herself. Empty and vacuous.

[@SoupBone-bp1qk]

Senator Clark stated once- "I never bought a man who wasn't for sale." What profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul?

[@brendababyify]

Sad, sad, sad

[@brendababyify]

No soul to begin with

[@gwendolyn7462]

used to live in Santa Barbara in the mid-1980's, even though I am not from there; I've been there many times. I THINK it was the only place in Santa barbara County that had all white staff. i live in Florida now. I too am an artist. I am aure some of her rubbed off on me, even though it is true, I HAVE NEVER MET Hugette~ Gwendolyn Olmsted Alexander artist

[@gwendolyn7462]

used to live in Santa Barbara; I've been there many times. I THINK it was the only place in Santa barbara County that had all white staff. i live in Florida now. I too am an artist. I am aure some of her rubbed off on me, even though it is true, I HAVE NEVER MET Hugette~ Gwendolyn Olmsted Alexander artist

[@beckyecklund5773]

When I here of the utter extravagant waste just imagine how many people worked their whole life at horrible jobs always poor so this extreme waste could happen

[@kingshukdasgupta7644]

❤

[@greghammer5321]

where does the money for the foundation come from....how much does it cost to maintain

[@kelseyluis2011]

Most foundations gets private donations either from wealthy donors or through fundraising auctions and dinners during the year. As to the costs I’m sure millions to maintain.

[@slomo4672]

@@kelseyluis2011 Another commenter read her biography and said she left behind $500m when she died. Most of it was donated to art museums. If $50m is left in her foundation and the dividend yield is 3%, the annual dividend is $1.5m. The video says the maintenance of this mansion is $40k/month which is about $0.5m/year. She left behind 2 other mansions too.

[@jannhebrank8410]

and there are thousands living in the street but how many rich people have dozens of homes that stand empty??? wtf wtf wtf

[@SL-lz9jr]

Many, sadly! Sitting empty as investment

[@marla591]

The homelessness just on the west coast of the U.S., nevermind the rest of the country... heck, just in the state of Calofornia, where a property like this and all the money utilized to maintain it, could better be served yet this segment celebrates the madness of one selfish woman and the wealthy who continue to maintain this as the ultimate lie. What a waste. CBS should be ashamed for publicizing such extravagance during this difficult time in our nation's history.

[@samueljaramillo4221]

Beautiful house. Why not turn it into a hotel and let everyone enjoy it.

[@Matthew-16-26]

She was very private (a recluse) so would she have wanted the PUBLIC waltzing through her home? This tells me her family (read they were distant relatives) never cared about her.

[@brendababyify]

She more than likely didn't care about them either

[@anntrope491]

So what...she liked to be alone...solitude is better than being used, abused, & taken advantage of !! I much rather do my own thing, indulge my own interests...spend time with my dog...than people who are always wanting something !!

[@VitalityMassage]

Blah blah blah. A mansion on the coast. So what. Blah blah blah.

[@starcrib]

Absurd. How it survived looters, fire's and whatever else you can think of is astonishing. 👥️️🇺🇲👥️️

[@Davido50]

Had a 24/7 STAFF at each location. CA, NY , CT. That means security too.

[@lf1496]

These places are obscenely large, empty odes to the emotionally detached. They showcase the insecurity of the sons and daughters of impoverished European immigrants who wanted to wash away their ignorance and poverty in a new country in the most overstated way. America is a country based on WANNABE revenge. "We'll show them" should be on the flag. It's quite sad. The heir to this fortune became a recluse in that hospital, afraid to leave. That's what this kind of life creates, empty, sad people. The empty house is a metaphor to this empty ambition.

[@brendababyify]

Booo

[@MrPrentissDJones]

Should have stayed private?

[@worldcitizeng6507]

The beautiful Santa Barbara, but the Kim's must show off their money in an Italian wedding

[@nicolehall2177]

I’m surprised squatters never took over the place.

[@janeoleary8454]

I'm surprised Oprah doesn't buy it

[@bradford5951]

I wonder how much Ikea furniture they have ...

[@johnwright2911]

What a waste for so many years.

[@whatnow2626]

Burn it down.🔥🔥🔥

[@d.l.l.6578]

This is the ultimate in selfishness. She could have used the mansions to house people if she didn’t want to live there. Only thought about herself.

[@billdedman3334]

She left her property to charity. That's the opposite of selfishness.

[@micholli]

I only could imagine how many houseless people could live there. All that lawn for tents. Just an idea.

[@Butter615s]

It would last long as a homeless shelter. Lol

[@edwarda2033]

Sad she was pretty enough, why didn’t she get married or have any friends?

[@billdedman3334]

She did both.

[@MisterJeffy]

What a splendid site, but what an unfortunate, huge, expensive, vapid pile of conservative, conventional architectural design sits in on top of it!

[@peggygibbons479]

This is not lovely and not interesting. It's SICKENING & makes me sick to my STOMACH!!

[@katiel1979]

Why are you being mean

[@peggygibbons479]

@@katiel1979 Because we just got a new dishwasher & I put our old broken dishwasher on Facebook for free, for anyone collecting scrap metal & a guy came & got it within 20 minutes! Because he was doing everything he could think of to make an extra $20!! And he's not a drug addict. I know the guy! He's a family man doing his best!

[@marla591]

AGREED

[@katiel1979]

@@peggygibbons479 what does your dishwasher have to do with a mansion

[@katiel1979]

@@marla591 agreed she’s mean

[@rachelstark2391]

Let us start with the fact that he was a senator. Built a lavish home from funds we have no idea where they came from(legally)? For his widow to only tear it down and build yet another lavish home. And yet, again a family member to then mothball it, for at a tune of $40,000 a month! There were people starving then and there are people starving now, what the 🤬? Why are we celebrating this structure?

[@davidhennen7045]

It's called freedom, baby!🌈🌈Besides, I'm 58 and have no children to starve, people pop out kids like clown cars and expect the rest of us to feed them!😘😘

[@rachelstark2391]

@@davidhennen7045 I am not your baby... I am talking about Mankind and being kind.

[@jefferycocking9218]

Maybe a little research may have been good. He got rich from banking and copper mines long before he was a senator. It's just like the sign says at the national parks, don't feed the animals because they become dependent and will not hunt for themselves.

[@Davido50]

Materialism & greed. Ppl can live well buy nobody needs a castle! Jesus wouldn't live in a castle. He lived poor ..even as the king of all kings!

[@jackmorrison7379]

Let us start with the fact u know little of the old man's biography. He made his fortune in copper mines and railroads including the line to Las Vegas NV where the county is named Clark. You imply he embezzled money as a politician which is untrue, though his money certainly helped his campaign for the US Senate seat. Do you have such hostility to the shallow untalented creeps of modern day Hollywood who live in even more lavish mansions?

[@robbieyohn3595]

Squatters should take over

[@orion8835]

Barking mad bunch. Hugette had her moment in early youth and a bit in the coming of age. She tried to play Father Time with everything later on which was grotesque. Weirdoland. Bye bye.

[@brendababyify]

Hahaha

[@retirementbootcampoff-grid237]

Put some tiny homes on that property so more can enjoy it.

[@breth8159]

The state of California for the first time is losing population gas is now six and a half dollars a gallon . a Future Ghost Town ?

[@christopherbarnard608]

What's your point in how that relates to this story? Or are you just a troll?

[@marla591]

This is California's Karma. Stolen from Mexico, mined, and prostituted to the highest bidder to hurn out filfth. California will become a state that if an earthquake doesn't fully exorcisize it from the rest of the U.S., it's policies will. Such a disgrace.

[@eddieg6436]

Oprah should buy this home as her beach place, she lives only 3-4 miles away.

[@betsyogle8224]

she would be mistaken as the help

[@wherethesundontshine6912]

1st

[@SlinkyFromHell.4]

Disgusting....

[@bradmartin7409]

What a waste of space

[@robbieyohn3595]

Not impressed. Should be donated as a shelter for the homeless.

[@tobehonest7541]

Shame on CBS Shame on this wealthy family -- how many homeless live in the streets in Cali

[@jefferycocking9218]

Shame on you, get a job.

[@tobehonest7541]

@@jefferycocking9218 poor troll Jeffery doesn't understand how economy works !

[@msell8107]

What a joke! This place was suppose to be a public museum and ended up being a highly expensive tour magnet for the weathly and privileged to see. Parties and events are held there but for an expensive price. Thanks to the City Of Santa Babylon for keeping its word and providing a museum for every person to enjoy! NOT!!! 🪩🪩🪩