When you’ve starred with the likes of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and won an Oscar for your efforts, leaving behind a remarkable legacy seems only natural. In Joan Fontaine’s case, this includes a house and its contents, which are currently up for auction.
For the 1940s Hollywood star, who died last December at the age of 96, auctioning off her belongings wasn’t enough. Instead, she chose to leave the proceeds from her personal effects and home of 30 years, Villa Fontana, to the Monterey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
While this might sound ridiculous to some, it’s not entirely surprising given Fontaine’s love of animals and years of support for the SPCA — her three beloved dogs were adopted from the organisation. The SPCA has said it will put the donation towards improving its Animal Care and Adoption Center, while naming a wing of the centre in Fontaine’s memory.
The house, located in the Carmel Highlands of California – an area that boasts some of the most expensive real estate in the United States – is listed to sell for US$2.6 million and is set to go on the block between now and January 2015. However, both Sotheby’s, which is overseeing the sale, and Noel Beutel, a long-time friend of Fontaine’s, predict that the amount could potentially reach $3 million.
The 4,500-square-foot property sits on a three-acre plot and is located minutes from downtown Carmel. It boasts four bedrooms, four bathrooms and an extensive rose garden planted and tended to by Fontaine herself. While the home may need quite a bit of work, it offers several nice touches, including hardwood flooring, multiple fireplaces and a library, as well as striking waterfront and mountain views. A separate Christie's auction of Fontaine's personal effects will include the Oscar statuette she was awarded for her 1941 role in Suspicion.
alane@thenational.ae
