Show summary Hide summary
Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith have decided to leave the Malibu estate where they have lived for 26 years, citing growing fears about wildfires and the practical costs of maintaining their beachfront compound. The move follows a string of close calls as the region’s fires have threatened celebrity homes across California.
Fires and long-term worry
The couple told The Times that recent wildfire seasons have made their coastal life increasingly precarious. “We’ve been spared by the fires a few times now. But I think it’s time to move,” Brosnan said, adding that the area’s seismic and environmental risks compound their concerns.
He described living “by this body of earth’s water on a fault in a ring of earthquakes” as a source of fear — a clear factor in their decision to relocate after more than two decades in Malibu.
Balancing safety and lifestyle
Brosnan and Smith have long split their time between Malibu and a secondary home in Kauai, Hawaii. That arrangement has continued, but the upkeep of their Broad Beach property has become a growing burden.
Earlier this year the Malibu home escaped damage during the most recent Los Angeles-area fires in early 2025, yet the couple say the repeated threats have made the risk unacceptable.
Financial pressures behind the scenes
Maintaining a high-value coastal property has affected Brosnan’s career choices. He acknowledged to The Times that, at times, he accepted acting roles mainly to cover the mortgage and his sons’ school fees.
“There have been doldrums. I have this beautiful house in Malibu. I have to pay the mortgage. There are school fees,” he said, adding that he has learned to accept projects out of necessity while still committing to do the work well.
The Malibu compound
The couple’s Broad Beach compound, often described in media reports as a lavish estate valued at around $100m (€86.2m), began when they purchased two neighbouring lots in 2000 for a reported $7.35m (€6.33m). Over time the parcels were developed into a Southeast Asian–inspired retreat.
The property stretches to about an acre and includes two residences. Together they offer five bedrooms and 14 bathrooms, and sit among other high-end homes in the area owned by well-known actors and entertainers.
Daily life and habits
Brosnan said Malibu has been conducive to an active outdoor life and credited Smith with keeping him disciplined. He also spoke about dietary choices, noting he avoids alcohol and many carbohydrate-rich foods as part of staying fit.
For now, the pair are preparing for a new chapter away from the Malibu coastline. Their decision reflects a mix of safety concerns and practical realities tied to maintaining a high-profile beachfront estate amid escalating environmental risks.
