A Star's Sudden Exit from a Pricey Property Deal

Anthony Hopkins, the celebrated actor, found himself in a bit of a pickle recently. He and his wife, Stella, were all set to buy a luxurious mansion in the Hamptons for a cool $7. 5 million. They even put down a hefty down payment of $750, 000. But then, they suddenly backed out, leaving the seller, Louise Riggio, in a lurch. Louise, the widow of Barnes & Noble founder Len Riggio, had agreed to sell her sprawling estate. The Hopkinses claimed they needed to close the deal quickly because they had lost their home in California to wildfires. Louise, being understanding, emptied the house promptly. But when the closing day arrived, the Hopkinses pulled a no-show.Their lawyer cited a health emergency, but Louise wasn't buying it. She pointed out that Anthony was busy promoting his new book on the very same day. By early November, the Hopkinses made it clear they weren't interested in the property anymore. The mansion, complete with a gym, wine cellar, and a bocce court, was back on the market. Louise, meanwhile, is in the process of selling off several properties and art collections. She even listed her 11-room apartment on Park Avenue for $17 million. She initially wanted to keep the down payment, plus interest and expenses, but later dropped the lawsuit. As for Anthony Hopkins, he's also selling his Malibu estate. He bought two lots for $12. 6 million but is now selling the combined property for $6. 4 million. It seems the real estate market is full of surprises, even for the rich and famous.