Nestled between the buzzing tech hubs of San Francisco and San Jose, in the most luxurious ZIP Code of the United States—Atherton, California, is Samuel Bronfman II’s 40 Atherton Avenue – for sale at $42 million.
A world of luxury
Built in 1932, and rejuvenated in 2001, this 13,525-square-foot architectural marvel sprawls across a majestic 3.17 acres of nature’s splendor. Every corner of this estate blooms with exceptional plantings.
The estate orbits around a magnetic central courtyard, with French doors blending indoor and outdoor spaces.
Versatile Living:
A spacious guest house, complete with a full kitchen—ideal for guests or poolside soirées.
A standalone apartment
Outdoors Reimagined:
Dive into the glistening pool
Challenge a friend on the pristine tennis court
For the Connoisseurs: House your wine treasures in a sommelier-worthy wine cellar with a capacity for 5,000 bottles.
Parking Galore: With oversized garages that can accommodate up to 5 cars, always have space for your collection.
Each of the seven bedrooms serves as a private retreat.
The master suite, a sanctuary of its own, features an inviting fireplace, a scenic balcony, dual dressing rooms, and a bathroom that exudes spa-like tranquility.
Experience grand entertaining in a formal dining room and a living room adorned with a romantic fireplace, both opening to an Edenic backyard.
A home office worthy of closing multimillion-dollar deals
A haven of horticultural beauty—gardens with exotic plantings and mature trees.
A slice of America….
The property taxes are $104,557 per year. With a $4.2 million down payment, your monthly payments are $319,356.
Atherton
Atherton is in San Mateo County, California, with a population of 7,188. It has the highest per capita income and cost of living in the U.S. among towns of its size.
Land use in Atherton is restricted. There’s no commercial zoning, meaning the town is not cluttered with restaurants, shops, or grocery stores inviting unwanted visitors. The average home price is more than $7.5 million.
Meet the Seller
Samuel Bronfman II, an heir to the Seagram liquor empire, purchased the mansion 37 years ago for $3.3 million.
He bought the home 11 years after he was kidnapped in 1975, by Mel Patrick Lynch and Dominic Byrne, and held for $2.3 million ransom, which his father Edgar Bronfman Sr. paid under an aqueduct in Queens.
While both Lynch and Byrne initially confessed to the kidnapping, they changed their stories, claiming Sam masterminded his own kidnapping to raise cash, and that Lynch and Sam were lovers. The jury acquitted the two men of kidnapping, but found them guilty of extortion.
Sam, who denied his involvement vehemently, lived under this shadow. It may have caused the decimation of the Bronfman fortune. With doubts lingering about Sam, his father bypassed him for running Seagram and named his younger brother as successor.
Edgar Jr. constructed a merger with the French company Vivendi — giving Vivendi 51 percent in a deal that may have been a little shy in due diligence, since Vivendi was on the verge of bankruptcy. The merger resulted in the Bronfmans losing 75 percent of their fortune.
Sam Bronfman, choosing not to work under his younger brother, became the co-founder of Bacchus Capital Management, a San Francisco-based investment firm.
Samuel’s younger sisters, Sara and Clare Bronfman, distinguished themselves for their work related to the self-help life coaching group NXIVM. In 2020, Clare Bronfman was sentenced to 81 months in prison due to her NXIVM-related activities. For the same reasons, Sara exited the USA and is living in Portugal.
As for Sam’s role in the kidnapping, one of the kidnappers’ lawyers said in a “deathbed” memoir that Sam was truly kidnapped, and that Lynch and he lied to the jury to get the kidnappers off.
The FBI said they had found no evidence that Bronfman was involved. Representatives of the Bronfman family said Sam was at college in Williamstown, Massachusetts, when he was supposedly meeting with his purported co-conspirators to plan his abduction in New York.
Meet Your Neighbors
We invite you to explore the list of your soon-to-be neighbors. [Ed. Note: Some of these neighbors might have recently moved.]
Business and Tech
- Paul Allen, Microsoft co-founder.
- Timothy C. Draper, founder of Draper Fisher Jurvetson
- Marc Andreessen, co-founder of Netscape.
- Douglas Engelbart, computer engineer, inventor of the mouse.
- Bill Gurley, general partner at Benchmark.
- Elizabeth Holmes, former biotechnology entrepreneur.
- Ben Horowitz, co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz.
- Ron Johnson, former senior executive at Apple
- Guy Kawasaki, venture capitalist
- Jan Koum, co-founder of WhatsApp
- Steve Westly, former State Controller of California, and venture capitalist.
- Meg Whitman, former president and CEO of Hewlett-Packard, former CEO of eBay
- Dennis Woodside, president of Impossible Foods, former COO of Dropbox
- Nick Clegg, Meta Platforms executive and former Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
- Douglas Leone venture capitalist
- Andy W. Mattes, CEO of Diebold.
- J. B. Pritzker, Governor of Illinois and co-founder of the Pritzker Group
- Tom Proulx, co-founder of Intuit
- George R. Roberts, co-founder of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts.
- James R. Scapa, co-founder, chairman and CEO of Altair Engineering
- Eric Schmidt, former executive chairman and CEO of Google
- Charles R. Schwab, founder and CEO of the Charles Schwab Corporation
Literary
- Gertrude Atherton, author
- Andy Kessler
- Maureen Kennedy Salaman, author, proponent of alternative medicine
Minstrels
- Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac
- Robby Krieger, guitarist, The Doors
- Charlie Kubal, music producer
- Bob Weir, musician with the Grateful Dead
- Quadeca, White Rapper
Moving Picture Performers
- Drew Fuller
- Shirley Temple
Athletics
- CiCi Bellis, tennis player
- Ty Cobb, baseball player
- Ted Robinson, sports broadcaster
- Y.A. Tittle, football player
Diversity
A message from diversity specialist Lucius MacNab:
At Atherton, our dedication to embracing diversity and fostering inclusivity is a source of immense pride. Setting us apart from many other affluent communities, we firmly believe that in our town, your race or gender should never serve as an impediment to finding a place to call home. Here, it’s not a question of who you are, but rather a celebration of the profound sense of community and the collective values that bind us together.
In the vibrant tapestry of Atherton, wealth may open doors, but it is our shared reverence for the kaleidoscope of diversity that holds the greatest significance. We extend an open-armed welcome to all who can afford to wish to be a part of our community, inviting you to contribute to the mosaic of experiences that make Atherton a luminous exemplar of an inclusive and thriving town.
Diverse neighbors
- Mohamed Atalla, inventor of MOSFET transistor,
- Stephen Curry, basketball
- Willie Mays, baseball
- Jerry Rice, football
- Komal Shah, art collector
- Bobbie Kelsey, basketball coach
- Vivek Ranadive, founder TIBCO Software
- Rajeev Motwani, professor
- Farzad Nazem, former chief technology officer of Yahoo!
- Chamath Palihapitiya, CEO of Social Capital
Frank Parlato 
Janine Morrison 
J.J. O'Hara 
Richard Luthmann 
Marie White 
Paul Serran
Please leave a comment: Your opinion is important to us!
you are ridiculous with this diversity stuff
A very minor detail: Shirley Temple lived in Woodside, not Atherton. Woodside is next door to Atherton, and almost (but not quite) as rich. It is more for the equestrian set (though Shirley Temple’s house wasn’t an equestrian property). An old family friend lived just around the corner from her and knew her slightly.
How many deceased people live in Atherton? The list of residents includes deceased or former residents. Is there also a cemetery in Atherton that is as exclusive, as expensive and as luxurious as the estates of the living residents of Atherton?
Sounds like he made a good life for himself, no?
Is Clare single ? I am single. I find her cute. How can we become pen pals ?
Clare hasn’t aged well. She looks 20 years older than she really is.
You need to analyze her psychological profile historically before you decide she would treat you normally, in an inter-human context. Don’t kid yourself.
What is this fascination with naming your offspring after yourself? Is it ego? Lack of imagination? There are plenty of names around. Just wondering.
Nancy Salzman’s family background.
New Jersey Jewish News – October 8, 1948
The Jewish News
Page Twelve
SOCIAL AND PERSONAL
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE SATTLER announce
the engagement of their daughter Lorraine Rita,
to Milton L. Loshin, son of Mrs. Lillie Loshin and
the late Nathan Loshin, also of Newark Miss Sattler,
a graduate of Weequahic High School and
Northeastern Secretarial Institute, is employed by
the Du Pont Company, Newark.
Mr. Loshin, a graduate of Central High School,
attended Rutgers University and is now employed
at Goldberg’s Men Shop in Cranford. He served,
with the Army Signal Corps.
https://jhsnj-archives.org/?a=d&d=A19481008-NewJerseyJewishNews-19481008-01.1.12&srpos=5&e=——-en-20–1–txt-txIN%7ctxTA%7ctxCO%7ctxTY%7ctxTI%7ctxRG%7ctxSG%7ctxSE%7ctxSB%7ctxCT%7ctxIE%7ctxIT%7ctxTE%7ctxLA%7ctxSU%7ctxSP%7ctxDS%7ctxAD%7ctxPR%7ctxTR%7ctxFI-Milton+Loshin———-
Nancy’s sister is Carole Kass. Caroles husband is Steve Kass, CEO of Tofutti.
New Jersey Jewish News – June 6, 1952
Page Thirteen
Newcomers (Continued from Page 12)
A daughter, Carole Sue, to MR. AND MRS. MILTON L. LOSHIN of Newark, at Beth Israel May 23. Mrs. Loshin is the former Lorraine Sattler of Newark.
New Jersey Jewish News – December 9, 1976
Page 8 – Section B
Miss Loshin Engaged
Mr. and Mrs. Milton Loshin of Cranford, formerly of Newark, have announced the engagement of their daughter, Carole S., to Steven L. Kass, son of Mr. and Mrs. Max Kass of Hillside. Miss Loshin received a B.A. degree in speech correction and teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing from Kean College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in speech pathology from Montclair State College. She is employed as a teacher of the handicapped at Westfield High School. Mr. Kass attend^ Rutgers University, where he received a B.A. degree in business administration, and Seton Hall University where he earned his MBA degree. He is a financial analyst for Holland House Brands in Ridgefield. The couple are planning an August wading.
(My note: article contains a photo by Carole Loshin)
https://jhsnj-archives.org/?a=d&d=A19761209-NewJerseyJewishNews-19761209-01.1.44&srpos=4&e=——-en-20–1–txt-txIN%7ctxTA%7ctxCO%7ctxTY%7ctxTI%7ctxRG%7ctxSG%7ctxSE%7ctxSB%7ctxCT%7ctxIE%7ctxIT%7ctxTE%7ctxLA%7ctxSU%7ctxSP%7ctxDS%7ctxAD%7ctxPR%7ctxTR%7ctxFI-Milton+Loshin———-
New Jersey Jewish News – August 21, 1975
Page 39
Mrs. L. Loshin Mrs. Lillian Loshin, 78, of 540 Wakefield Dr., Metuchen, formerly of Newark, died Aug. 14. Born in Russia, Mrs. Loshin lived in Newark for many years before moving to Metuchen 12 years ago. She was a member of the Workman’s Circle.
Surviving are two sons, Meyer Loshin of Metuchen, and Milton Loshin of Cranford; a daughter, Mrs. Harriet Yager of Metuchen; a brother, Sholom Rinsky of Union; and three grandchildren. Services were held Aug. 15 at Apter Funeral Home
https://jhsnj-archives.org/?a=d&d=A19750821-NewJerseyJewishNews-19750821-01.1.39&srpos=8&e=——-en-20–1–txt-txIN%7ctxTA%7ctxCO%7ctxTY%7ctxTI%7ctxRG%7ctxSG%7ctxSE%7ctxSB%7ctxCT%7ctxIE%7ctxIT%7ctxTE%7ctxLA%7ctxSU%7ctxSP%7ctxDS%7ctxAD%7ctxPR%7ctxTR%7ctxFI-Milton+Loshin———-
New Jersey Jewish News – September 22, 1977
Page 31
Loshin—Kass
Carole S. Loshin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Milton Loshin of Cranford, was married Aug. 7 to Steven L. Kass, son of Mr. and Mrs. Max Kass of Lakewood, formerly of Hillside. Rabbi Leon Yagod and Cantor Jack Korbman of Congregation Ahavath Achim Bikur Cholim, Irvington, officiated at the ceremony at Clinton Manor, Union. The bride’s sister, Mrs. Nancy Salzman, was matron of honor. The groom’s brother, Ira Kass, was best man. A graduate of Cranford High School, the bride received a B.A. degree summa cum laude in speech correction and teacher of the hard of hearing from Kean College of New Jersey, and a master’s degree in speech pathology from Montclair State College. She is working toward her certification as a learning disabilities teacher consultant at Kean College and is employed by the Westfield School System as a teacher of the handicapped.
Mr. Kass, a graduate of Hillside High School, received his B.A. in business administration from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, and his MBA from Seton Hall University, South Orange. He is the assistant controller for Holland House Brands, Ridgefield. The couple will reside in Roselle Park.
(My note: Includes photo of Mrs. Steven Kass)
https://jhsnj-archives.org/?a=d&d=A19770922-NewJerseyJewishNews-19770922-01.1.31&srpos=4&e=——-en-20–1–txt-txIN%7ctxTA%7ctxCO%7ctxTY%7ctxTI%7ctxRG%7ctxSG%7ctxSE%7ctxSB%7ctxCT%7ctxIE%7ctxIT%7ctxTE%7ctxLA%7ctxSU%7ctxSP%7ctxDS%7ctxAD%7ctxPR%7ctxTR%7ctxFI-Carole+Kass———-
Steven Kass is currently the CEO of Tofutti
New Jersey Jewish News – September 27, 1979
Section A -Page 35
A daughter, Michelle Dana, to DR. AND MRS. MICHAEL SALZMAN of Cheshire, Conn., Aug. 11 at St. Mary’s Hospital,Waterbury, Conn. Mrs. Salzman is the former Nancy Loshin of Cranford. The couple also have another daughter
New Jersey Jewish News – August 5, 1976
Page 32
A daughter, Lauren R., to DR. AND MRS. MICHAEL SALZMAN of Cheshire, Conn., June 26 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Waterbury, Conn. Mrs. Salzman is the former Nancy Loshin of Cranford.
Are the sources of this information not as reliable as thought? Or has the plan changed and why?
Frank Report
Nancy Salzman’s New Life at Albany Halfway House Should Be Safe; May Offer New Adventure for NXIVM President
August 21, 2023
Nancy Salzman will return to Albany, NY from her unpleasant prison cell at FCI Hazelton in West Virginia.
The BOP has decided to remove the Prefect of NXIVM from Hazelton on September 7th – and transfer her to the Horizon House in Albany, a halfway house where she may live for the next ten months.
[ … ]
https://frankreport.com/2023/08/21/nancy-salzmans-new-life-at-albany-halfway-house-should-be-safe-may-offer-new-adventure-for-nxivm-president/
Nancy is at horizon House.
Important Question!!!!
Frank-
If you were stranded at the bottom of the ocean and had to breath out of one vagina belonging to either Clare, Nancy or Toni…..
Whose vagina would pick and why?
I would seek Nice Guy’s advice before making a decision.
Would that opinion be sought due to NiceGuy allegedly having first hand knowledge on the matter? If so, can you state your information source please?
(not for publication)
America is ruled by a gerontocracy. Not to mention the plutocracy, which always comes first. Biden wants to run again. So does Nancy Pelosi. What the hell is the old Dianne Feinstein doing at all?
cbs6albany.com
NXIVM co-founder Nancy Salzman released to halfway house
by WRGB Staff Sat, September 9th 2023, 4:52 AM GMT+2
CAPITAL REGION, NY (WRGB) — The Federal Bureau of Prisons website shows Nancy Salzman — former president of the NXIVM sex cult, released from prison to a halfway house in Pittsburgh!
[ … ]
Clare Bronfman’s residence, by the way, is FDC Philadelphia 700 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19106.
And we don’t need to wonder why she lives there.
Why not? I have no clue.
I wonder why these people bought a house in this place.
I don’t care, maybe the people themselves don’t really know.
If you have a dozen residences, it doesn’t matter.
Elisabeth Holmes is living in another neighborhood at this moment……..
I have a pretty simple rule: if your last name is “Bronfman” (and related to “that” Bronfman family), you are either a dumbfuck, an immoral fuck or an evil fuck.
What the fuck is wrong with this family?!?
Lil Eddy fucked up six-ways-to-,Sunday with the one-sided Vivendi Deal. Who the fuck would be dumb enough to swap liquor production/distribution with film production!?
Sr was a piece of trash as well.
Eddy Sr. disowned Jr. because he fell in love with a black girl. What type of person does that!?
Horseface and Dipshit are dixk, twisted DEMONS FROM HELL!!!!!!
Bronfman “gangsta rap” ruined our cities and so many people living in our cities — probably on purpose.
Updated BOP mugshot of Clare Bronfman:
She improved while in prison?
Animals can’t help being used to compare bad people.