The $19 Million Finale: Inside The Feinstein Billionaire’s Row Estate Sale And Record-Breaking Auction

The tumultuous chapter of the Feinstein/Blum estate has finally closed on San Francisco’s famed Billionaires’ Row, culminating in a massive real estate sale and a record-shattering auction of personal property. As of this current date, December 16, 2025, the highly publicized sale of the late Senator Dianne Feinstein’s luxurious Italianate mansion and the subsequent auction of her personal collection have provided a rare, high-stakes glimpse into the private wealth and complex legal battles of one of America’s most prominent political families. The events, driven by a bitter family trust dispute, saw the iconic property change hands for a staggering $19 million, while the contents fetched nearly $1.9 million at auction, setting a new benchmark for the auction house.

The keyword "Feinstein Billionaire Row Auction" actually refers to two distinct, yet closely linked, financial events following the deaths of Senator Feinstein (September 2023) and her billionaire husband, Richard C. Blum (February 2022). The first was the all-cash sale of the magnificent San Francisco residence, and the second, a world-class auction of the couple’s art, jewelry, and political memorabilia, proving that even in death, the Feinstein name commands global attention and immense value.

The Central Figures: A Brief Biography of Dianne Feinstein and Richard C. Blum

The estate at the center of this controversy belonged to two titans of American politics and finance, whose combined wealth and influence made them a power couple in California and Washington D.C.

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• Dianne Feinstein (1933–2023): A pioneering figure in U.S. politics, Dianne Feinstein served as the Mayor of San Francisco (1978–1988) before becoming a U.S. Senator for California (1992–2023). She was the longest-serving female U.S. Senator in history. Her political career was defined by her pragmatic centrism and her role in major legislative battles.
• Richard C. Blum (1935–2022): Feinstein’s third husband, Blum was a highly successful investment banker and financier. He was the chairman and president of Blum Capital, a private equity firm. His vast wealth, estimated in the billions, significantly contributed to the couple’s substantial estate, which became the subject of the ensuing legal battle.
• Katherine Feinstein: Dianne Feinstein’s daughter from her first marriage, a former San Francisco Superior Court judge. Katherine became the central litigant in the family trust dispute, seeking the sale of key properties to fund her mother’s care and, later, to settle the estate.

The Billionaires’ Row Mansion: A $19 Million All-Cash Sale

The centerpiece of the estate—and the primary focus of the "Billionaire Row" keyword—was the sprawling Italianate mansion located at 2460 Lyon Street. Situated in the prestigious Pacific Heights neighborhood, the property is a jewel on the world-renowned Lyon Street Steps, offering breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz.

The Property's History and Valuation

Feinstein and Blum purchased the three-story, 9,500-square-foot residence in 2006 for $16.5 million. Following Senator Feinstein's death, the property’s sale became a necessity to resolve the complex financial trusts established by Blum, which had devolved into a contentious legal battle.

The dispute pitted Feinstein's daughter, Katherine, against the trustees of Blum's estate, primarily over the management and sale of assets, including this Billionaires' Row home and a vacation property in Stinson Beach. The core of the issue was access to funds and the proper distribution of the massive estate. The sale of the Lyon Street mansion was ultimately forced to bring an end to the protracted and public legal feud.

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In a significant move that underscored the value of this prime real estate, the mansion sold for $19 million. The transaction was an all-cash deal, completed around June 2024, confirming the property’s status as a highly desirable asset. While the final price was slightly above the initial purchase price from nearly two decades prior, the all-cash nature and the resolution of the legal cloud made it a notable sale in the luxury market. The identity of the buyer remains officially undisclosed, adding a layer of mystery to the high-profile transaction.

The Bonhams Auction: A Record-Breaking Personal Collection

While the mansion sale was the largest financial event, the true "auction" aspect of the keyword related to the contents of the home. Handled by the prestigious auction house Bonhams, the sale of Senator Feinstein's personal collection captured the imagination of collectors, historians, and political enthusiasts worldwide.

The October 2024 Sale Highlights

Titled “The Personal Collection of Senator Dianne Feinstein,” the auction took place on October 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. The immense interest in the late Senator’s life and possessions propelled the sale to exceed all expectations.

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The auction achieved a stunning total of nearly $1.9 million ($1,850,000 to be precise), boasting an incredible 99% sell-through rate. Critically, the event set a new, significant record for Bonhams, registering the highest number of bidders and registrations for a U.S. sale in the auction house's history.

The items up for bid were a fascinating mix of high-value luxury goods and historic political memorabilia, offering a peek into the private world of a powerful public figure. Key entities and items sold included:

• High-Value Jewelry: A significant highlight was a diamond ring that shattered its pre-sale estimate, ultimately fetching a price of over $100,000.
• Art and Antiques: The collection featured American and Chinese art, centuries-old European antiques, and a Tibetan carpet, reflecting the couple’s diverse tastes and Richard Blum's extensive travels and business interests in Asia.
• Political Memorabilia: Items like historic photographs, political gifts, and even a drawing by Feinstein herself were highly sought after, appealing to a niche market of political history collectors.

The record-breaking success of the Bonhams auction demonstrated the enduring public interest in the legacy of Dianne Feinstein and Richard C. Blum. The sale of the personal collection, combined with the successful $19 million sale of the Billionaires’ Row mansion, effectively concluded the public financial liquidation of the couple’s most visible assets, finally bringing an end to the highly scrutinized family trust dispute.