Jackie O's Childhood Home Now Belongs to Saudi Arabia

Jackie Kennedy Onassis' childhood home is now in the hands of the Saudi government following what a real estate agent describes as the most expensive residential sale ever in the Washington, DC, area. The seven-acre Merrywood estate in the DC suburb of McLean, Va., nabbed by AOL co-founder Steve Case for $24.5 million in 2005, was just sold to the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for $43 million. "The Saudi government understands the historical significance of the Merrywood home and has tremendous respect for its place in American history," a rep tells the Wall Street Journal, adding that the property will be used to host Saudi dignitaries.

The Saudi government already owns several other properties in the area, reports the Washington Business Journal. It added one more, a $6.5 million waterfront property, on May 24, the same day the Merrywood purchase was finalized. "We enjoyed living at Merrywood for the past 13 years, and we hope the new owner will appreciate the property as much as we did," Steve and Jean Case say in a statement. Built in 1919, the estate (CNBC has envy-inducing photos) includes a 23,000-square-foot main house with nine bedrooms, 11 full bathrooms, and two partial baths. Also to be enjoyed are two pools, a tennis court, a gym, and views of the Potomac River. (More real estate stories.)