It is beyond doubt that Malibu beaches are the dream paradise for most movie stars. However, due to climate change and the seismic terrain in California, beachfront mansions are at risk of suffering significant damage.
Among the illustrious neighbors of the coastal town is Nicolas Cage (62), who on September 8 woke up to nightmares as his 370-square-meter mansion spread over four levels, which he bought in 2024 for $10.5 million, was on the verge of being swallowed. The property is located on a private street with direct access to a reserved beachfront.
A gigantic sinkhole approximately 9 meters wide by 7.5 meters deep opened under the access road and the garage of the residence, leaving the structure on the brink of collapse.
According to initial technical assessments, the disaster is attributed to severe coastal erosion accelerated by the strong waves in recent days and cyclonic surges linked to Hurricane Marie in the Pacific. Aerial shots show how high tides penetrated and directly hit the pilings supporting the residence.
Additionally, the incident caused a rupture in a main gas pipeline, leading to one of the specialized companies and the fire department cordoning off the area and temporarily suspending service in the neighborhood.
Fortunately, there were no casualties - the actor is away filming a movie - but the Malibu Building and Safety Department has placed a 'uninhabitable/unsafe' sign on the mansion of the star of Moonstruck (1987) and restricted access to four neighboring homes.
Throughout his life, Nicolas Cage has been known for his megalomania that led him to invest obscene amounts of money in properties of extreme luxury like the haunted LaLaurie mansion in New Orleans, Midford Castle in England, Neidstein Castle in Germany, Leaf Cay Island in the Bahamas, and other valuable possessions in Bel Air, Rhode Island, and San Francisco.
However, starting in 2009, the Oscar-winning actor began to lose a significant portion of his fortune, estimated at $150 million, as he faced financial problems when the U.S. tax authorities demanded payment of debts totaling $14 million. He also accused his personal manager of mismanaging his wealth.
Currently, Cage is trying to recover financially and lives happily in his Las Vegas mansion with his fifth wife, Japanese actress Riko Shibata (31), whom he married in 2021 and has a daughter, August Francesca (4). From other relationships, he has two more children, Weston (36) - who follows in his father's footsteps having been married four times - and Kal-El (21).