An al-Fayed–linked LLC purchased a luxury Malibu estate in June 1997, intending it as a marital home for American model Kelly Fisher. However, the plans shifted following a July 1997 vacation in the South of France with Diana and the extended al-Fayed family, leading to a breakup and a subsequent breach-of-contract lawsuit filed by Fisher in August 1997, which she dropped after Dodi’s death.
The Kelly Fisher Breach-of-Contract Dispute
Before his relationship with Diana intensified, Dodi was engaged to Kelly Fisher. According to testimony provided by Fisher during the British government’s official inquest into Diana’s death, the couple had planned to use the Malibu property as their marital home. Fisher stated that they had specifically scheduled their wedding reception at the estate for the first week of August 1997.
The relationship ended shortly after the al-Fayed family’s summer getaway in the South of France. In early August 1997, Fisher sued Dodi for breach of contract following the split. The legal action was halted when Fisher dropped the lawsuit after his death.
Architectural Evolution: From Julie Andrews to Tuscan Villa
The property’s history reflects the shifting tastes of Malibu’s elite. For twenty years, the land served as the site of a ranch-style beach home owned by Julie Andrews and her husband Blake Edwards. This original residence was described as a relatively modest ranch-style home.
In 1992, financier Edward Sacks purchased the property from Andrews and Edwards. Sacks razed the existing ranch house while preserving specific luxury amenities, including the tennis court, pool, and sculpture studio. He commissioned designer Ron Wilson—known for his work with Cher—to build a new villa.
Wilson described the architectural style to Architectural Digest in a 1998 feature, characterizing the home as a “Mediterranean casa colonica” with a “Tuscan feeling.” The design featured stucco walls and terra-cotta roof tiles, intended to be “dressier than Spanish” while overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Property Timeline and Ownership
| Period | Owner/Key Figure | Development |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1992 | Julie Andrews & Blake Edwards | Owned a modest ranch-style beach home for 20 years. |
| 1992 | Edward Sacks | Razed original home; built Tuscan-style villa via Ron Wilson. |
| June 1997 | Al-Fayed-linked LLC | Purchased estate; Dodi planned it as marital home for Kelly Fisher. |
| August 1997 | Kelly Fisher | Filed breach-of-contract lawsuit following breakup. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed the Malibu home?
The home was designed by Ron Wilson, a designer who also worked with Cher. Wilson described the aesthetic as a Mediterranean casa colonica with Tuscan influences.
Why did Kelly Fisher sue Dodi?
Fisher filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit in August 1997 after Dodi ended their relationship. She had testified at the official inquest into Diana’s death that the Malibu estate was intended to be their marital home.
What existed on the property before the Tuscan villa?
The site was previously a ranch-style estate owned by Julie Andrews and Blake Edwards for two decades before Edward Sacks demolished it in 1992 to build the new villa.