World's Richest Man Buys Duke-Semans Mansion for $44 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed)
Jul 28th 2010 at 7:01PM

Mexican telecommunications mogul Carlos Slim, who beat out Warren Buffet and Bill Gates to capture the title of World's Richest Man earlier this year with an astonishing net worth of $53.5 billion, has purchased the stunning Duke-Semans Mansion in New York for a cool $44 million. As we reported back in January, cab driver-turned-fertilizer king Tamir Sapir had listed the palatial townhouse, said to be the only private mansion left on Fifth Avenue, for $50 million. According to the Wall St. Journal, Slim cut the deal to snag it for $6 million less with Sapir directly. Sapir bought the historic seven-story Beaux Arts mansion located across from the Metropolitan Museum of Art from relatives of Doris Duke for $40 million in 2006. The 20,000-square-foot mansion, built in 1901, currently has a doctor's office in the basement, a five-story main residence, a penthouse duplex on top, 12 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, and 11 wood-burning fireplaces.

Gallery: Duke Semans Mansion

Tags: billionaire, Carlos Slim, celebrity real estate, Doris Duke, Duke Semans Mansion, Duke-Semans Mansion, Fifth Avenue, mansion, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Mexico, New York, New York City, real estate, Tamir Sapir, worlds richest man

Filed under: Estates, Wealth

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

john bruno Jul 30th 2010 3:54PM

Just goes to show you. You can be a multi-billionaire and still have NO TASTE.

David Jul 30th 2010 4:30PM

Did you dare say NO TASTE? You are a total moron. You have no clue about history, etc. Get a life, loser!!!!

al schrader Aug 1st 2010 3:51PM

I wouldn't live there for free. It's in the city - noise, dirt, crowding.
My estate is in a paradise, though not worth 44 mil. I don't care . It's incredible where I live.....Alfred-

aqua1a Aug 1st 2010 4:12PM

I have my own issues with immigration but I can't believe that is all you guys are talking about from this story. How about how cool it was that this guy went from being a cab driver to the richest man in the world by starting his own fertilizer business. I think thats pretty inspiring, regardless of where he's from.

buddy7768 Aug 1st 2010 5:37PM

not like you,right?

bluerosebud96 Aug 4th 2010 10:08PM

What?! Thats great architecture! You obviously aren't a design business of any sort. Wow...

hd Aug 1st 2010 10:35PM

Some Historic homes are beautiful, some are not. This home might be attractive if located in a setting of lush large lawns, fountains, and enclosed in a forest of trees or if t was next to similar size buildings ... In 1901 his home might have been next to other large homes with some green where now is asphalt and some trees where a sidewalk now is.
That said, what I find HIDEOUS AND UNACCEPTABLE about this house is that it is OVERWHELMED and DOMINATED by that UGLY, UNDESCRIPT, run down, filthy, HUGE Skyscaper that abuts it to the rear. Amost as bad is the "front yard" is a CEMENT city sidewalk with only 1 unheathy unkept ill shaped tree, and a BUSY ASPHALT road. It is apparent that there is no view since this building is shorter than the others in the area making occupants look out in the front and on one side, over a busy road towards taller buildings and on the other two sides, the view is A WALL. The house cant be light and cheerful because it is encapsulated in taller buildings. . Living in the shadow and being dominated by large skyscrapers is very uncomfortable. He should have bought high up in Trump Tower or bought an Apartment/Condo at or above Central Park Tree Level. A good Real Estate Agent could have helped him find a much better place at a lower price. NYC has some attractive settings, this does not appear to be one.

daviddurnc Aug 8th 2010 3:11PM

This is not a photo of the Duke Mansion. Whats going on here?

chanelclinton Aug 30th 2010 5:50PM

It is the mansion..it's just the colors of the orange is brighter here. Touchups.

felinca Jul 30th 2010 7:43PM

that shows you that not all Mexicans are illigals.

paul ush esty Jul 30th 2010 9:12PM

One legal, 39 million illegal
know the penalty for breaking into Mexico?

Mike Aug 1st 2010 7:50PM

MOST ARE. ILLEGALS SHOULD GO BACK HOME!

Cedric Wood Jul 31st 2010 12:57AM

WHY doesn't he spend a little on the POOR people of his country?

mark Aug 1st 2010 3:28PM

Cedric
I have to agree with you! $44,000,000 will go a long way to help the police and the people of Mexico. It is just like when anyone, and that includes american rich people, makes a pile of money, why not give back to the communities where you come from?
I hear alot of rap artist for instance using the fact that they came from Detroit's Projects as a selling point for their albums! BUT I never see them give back!
I grew up in a housing project in Illinois myself and when I made it I gave back by donating a community swimming pool and it is named for the high school teacher that encouraged me to persue the field I made my money in. Thanks Mr Prestley for everything!

Mike Aug 1st 2010 7:51PM

He has his own money, and doesn't have to help anyone.

Ken Jul 31st 2010 12:13AM

This article does not say he is a citizen or want to become a citizen of the United States, it just reports that he has purchased a portion of the country. Not unlike many other foreigners, and the countries they are from, Japan for an example. In fact more and more citizens from other nations are doing the same, it want be long before they will not have to sneak into the United States they will own it and American citizens will be renting from them. Just for fun, you should check out the laws of Mexico reguarding foreign nationals purchasing property in their country, it's not so easy. Unlike Americans they are not as interested in selling out to the highest bidder, they want to keep their country. Greed and political correctness will be the death of the United States.

CNB Aug 1st 2010 3:41PM

Really enjoyed what you had to say Ken....sure makes a lot of sense!

lolis Aug 1st 2010 7:04PM

IF YOU WERE WORTH 53 BILLION AND WANTED TO BUY IN MEXICO IT WOULD BE A BREEZE. THE US GOVT. STATES THAT IF YOU INVEST 500K OR MORE IN THE U.S. YOU CAN BY A BUSINESS AND OR PRIVATE PROPERTY SO LONG AS THE MONEY IS CLEAN, SAY GOOD BYE TO THE RED TAPE EVEN FOR IMMIGRATION STATUS. THE U.S. GOVT MADE THE RULES SO LEARN TO LIVE WITH IT.
JUST BECAUSE HE IS MEXICAN DOESN'T MEAN HIS MONEY IS DIRTY. HE ALSO OWNS VARIOUS U.S. COMPANIES THAT EMPLOY THOUSANDS OF EVERYDAY AMERICANS....... SO COOL YOUR JETS.