It's a given that stars live large. They shine more brilliantly than the rest of us mere mortals (hey, that's why they're called "stars") and therefore feel duty-bound to inhabit some of the most eye-popping, over-the-top, and pricey properties on the planet. But even in the rarefied space of celebrity homes, 2015 was an exceptional year. Luminaries in movies, music, and sports added a prodigious dose of dazzle to the recent real estate market.
And that's why we loved peering behind their front doors. So we leapt at the opportunity to look back at some of our favorite luxurious properties that the A-listers bought and sold this year.
Grab your sunglasses and a glass of Dom Perignon '92, and check out how some of the egregiously wealthy and fabulously famous choose to live.
The Canadian-born singer-songwriter released his 36th album this year and put his gorgeous Hawaiian retreat on the market for $24.5 million. The 2-acre property included a 4,530-square-foot bungalow, two guest cottages, a pool house, and 830 feet of ocean frontage on the Kohala Coast. The tropical paradise certainly had us singing ("Heart of Gold"?), and it sold in October.
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This formidable duo had a year to remember. The reality TV star announced her second pregnancy, published a book of selfies, and listed the couple's "starter home" in Bel Air, CA, for a cool $20 million. The 2013 purchase had gotten some opulent upgrades, apparently inspired by Kimye's trip to Versailles, including a "glam room" and gold-plated toilets.
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The Disney star has officially become a pop princess, and her second album hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts. The 23-year-old also decided to leave her Calabasas mansion behind, after alleged reports of intruders at the house. For the right buyer, the gated estate is a perfect and plush party pad for all your A-list friends. All for the low, low price of $4,495,000. Private security guards are not included.
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Queen of hip-hop/soul Mary J. Blige put her New Jersey estate on the market for $13 million. The chart topper's 13,000-square-foot manor included six bedrooms, three fireplaces, two formal dining areas, a bar, a wine cellar and tasting room, a reception area, and a balcony to greet your subjects.
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The Hollywood A-listers decided to sell their home in the French Quarter in May 2015 for $6.5 million. With no buyers stepping up, the duo lowered the price to $5.65 million in November. They bought the historic home in 2007, and apparently there will be a sequel: They are reportedly looking for a less-traveled spot down the road.
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Once again, the "Die Hard" star tried hard to sell his vacation home in Hailey, ID. This time, the actor dropped the price to $7.05 million, which is less than half the original asking price and marks the fifth price cut on the place in the past four years.
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The Academy Award winner and activist listed his Malibu bachelor pad for $6.55 million, but not before we got a peek at his casual "beach shack." Is the divorced actor feeling sentimental? Penn was recently spotted taking in several shows of his ex-wife Madonna's Rebel Heart Tour. The two were seen at a bar in Santa Monica, sparking rumors of a reconciliation.
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Can life get any better for the NBA point guard, who led the Golden State Warriors to the NBA Championship last season and continues to dominate the league in ridiculous fashion? He also scored with his San Francisco Bay Area home: A $3.2 million Mediterranean-style estate in Walnut Creek, CA. Built in 2012, the 7,894-square-foot home was designed for "elegant yet comfortable living."
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The former San Francisco 49er sold his European-style villa in Monte Sereno, CA, for just under $4 million in October 2015. It's easy to see why the quarterback's former home in this posh Silicon Valley enclave was snapped up. High-end details of the 6-year-old home included 100-year-old oak beams, limestone floors and fireplace, a bocce court, and an outdoor kitchen.
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The Miami Dolphins defensive tackle found a home to match his superstar status. The former Detroit Lion picked up this Fort Lauderdale, FL, mansion after he signed a huge free-agent deal in South Florida. And he didn't hold back on the house. The luxe estate includes a palm-tree lined walkway, two-floor windows, a rooftop garden, and a private beach.