African heiress wants $17.5M for Beverly Hills estate

Pascaline Bongo, a former Gabonese politician and the daughter of former president Omar Bongo, has listed her Beverly Hills home for $17.5 million.

The 9,141-square-foot property on North Maple Drive has six bedrooms, seven bathrooms and a tennis court with separate guest quarters, Mansion Global reported.

Neighbors include “X-Factor” judge Simon Cowell and George Schaeffer, founder of OPI nail polish.

Bongo purchased the property in 1997 using the entity Aminisha Corporation for $4.5 million, according to property records.

Her family, one of Africa’s wealthiest ruling dynasties, is known for its lavish lifestyle and has ruled Gabon for 50 years. Bongo’s father Omar ruled the country – now the continent’s fourth-largest oil producer – for 41 years until his death in 2009. Her half-brother Ali Bongo is currently its president.

Omar Bongo fathered 53 children but designated Pascaline and Ali as his heirs. The estranged siblings are battling it out for their father’s fortune, estimated to be worth hundreds of millions in the form of secret bank accounts in Monaco and abroad, according to Quartz.

Rochelle Maize of Nourmand & Associates, who has the listing, said the property is on an incredible lot and is the ultimate compound.

Mica Rabineau of Nourmand & Associates also has the listing. [WSJ] — Subrina Hudson