Elon Musk takes back Gene Wilder’s former home

Elon Musk, the billionaire behind Tesla and SpaceX, has regained ownership of a famous Los Angeles house once owned by “Willy Wonka” star Gene Wilder. Musk, now 53, first bought the three-bedroom property in 2013 for $6.75 million. In 2020, he decided to sell most of his belongings, including this home, as part of a plan to simplify his life.

He sold the house to Gene Wilder’s nephew, Jordan Walker-Pearlman, and his wife, Elizabeth Hunter, for $7 million, even lending them $6.7 million to help with the purchase. Things took a turn when the couple couldn’t keep up with loan payments. In July 2024, Musk issued a notice that they were behind on payments, and the property might be sold. By January 2025, records showed the house was transferred back to Musk’s company after an auction, with the unpaid debt totaling $7.59 million.

The home was officially off the market by February 2025. Musk hasn’t shared his plans for the property, which he seemed to buy more as a special keepsake than a place to live. While he’s kept his real estate moves quiet, reports suggest he owns several homes near Tesla’s base in Austin, Texas. He’s also confirmed renting a small house near SpaceX in Brownsville, Texas, showing his focus on staying close to his companies.