Sumner native and Food Network star in ‘total disbelief’ her Malibu home survived fire
The California home of Sumner native and Food Network star Sandra Lee barely survived the devastating wildfires that are ravaging the Los Angeles area, according to a post she made Monday morning on Instagram.
Lee, the former first lady of New York, was on a roller coaster of emotion last week after she got conflicting reports of her Malibu home, she said.
“I can’t see my house,” Lee wrote on Instagram. “I don’t know if my friends and family’s homes or my own home stands.”
Lee is known for her “Semi-homemade” food brand and TV shows as well as being the partner of former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. According to the The Wall Street Journal, Lee bought her home in 2019 for $3.3 million.
After evacuating, Lee was staying at a hotel while neighbors and others alternately reported her home still standing and then lost in the fire.
“My home in Malibu has got me through some of the darkest moments in my life,” she wrote last week.
Lee was diagnosed with cancer in 2015 and her ongoing treatment ended her TV show. In 2019, she split with Cuomo, according to US Weekly. Cuomo resigned his office in 2021 after an onslaught of sexual-harassment claims.
Spared
On Monday, Lee was finally able to visit the house she calls “Avalon.”
“I could not believe my eyes to be one of 10 in my neighbor of homes still there,” she wrote. “I do not know how. I can only assume it was the quick action of our firefighters. I’m in total disbelief.”
Lee’s home is situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Pacific Coast Highway. Dozens of multi-million dollar mansions along the stretch were destroyed and damaged.
Last week, Lee was convinced her home was gone, posting, “My house is gone. It is literally gone.”
While Lee’s home was spared, other celebrities weren’t so lucky. They include Billy Crystal, Mel Gibson, Paris Hilton, Eugene Levy, Anna Faris, Cary Elwes, Jeff Bridges, Anthony Hopkins and Denise Crosby, the granddaughter of Tacoma native Bing Crosby.
Sumner ties
Lee was born in Santa Monica, California, but grew up in Sumner. She still has family in the area.
In 2019, Lee was grand marshal of the Daffodil Parade. Lee’s sister, Kimber Lee, was the community grand marshal. A pair of videographers shadowed the pair.
“We’re thinking about possibly shooting a reality show called ‘Fam Lee’,” Lee told The News Tribune at the time. “Right now, it’s just my pretend reality show.”
Lee has also appeared at the Spring Fair and Washington State Fair in Puyallup both as a celebrity and in disguise to enjoy the festivities, she previously told The News Tribune.
Historic fires
The fires that have ravaged the LA area have struck the rich and poor alike. Estimates put the number of homes, businesses and public structures burned at more than 12,000. At least 24 people have died.
On Monday, Lee said she was dealing with survivor’s guilt.
“I feel guilty for being a part of a bubble of these homes spared,” she wrote. “I have such sadness for the people who have lost their lives, and I grieve for the families who have lost their loved ones.”
