Former Westport Home Of Phil Donahue & Marlo Thomas Sells For Millions: UPDATE

WESTPORT, CT — The waterfront Westport home formerly owned by celebrities Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas was sold on Friday for $24,210,000, as part of a $54 million combined real estate sale with two other properties, according to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (BHHS) New England Properties. (See the announcement below.)

Mansion Global initially reported that two homes — 120-122 Beachside Ave. and 124-128 Beachside Ave. — were part of a $45 million sale on a total of more than 13 acres along Long Island Sound, and represent the largest residential real estate sale in Westport.

However, a third property, 26 Beachside Ave., was also part of the deal for an additional $9 million, bringing the final total to $54 million.

Donahue and Thomas built 120-122 Beachside Ave. in 2007, and reportedly sold it in 2013 for $20 million. The 11,450-square-foot home has five bedrooms and six bathrooms.

The property at 128 Beachside Ave. sold for $20,790,000, and the listing reads, "The structure is anchored by a 75 ft indoor pool and wall of seamless glass windows that feel connected to the water beyond, the single story structure also holds a kitchen, lounge and bath."

Donahue passed away in 2024 at the age of 88.

Read the Mansion Global story.

Below is the announcement from Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (BHHS) New England Properties:

WESTPORT, CT — Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (BHHS) New England Properties announced today that agent John Raus represented the buyer in the largest sale in Westport, CT history: a $54 million acquisition of three waterfront properties on the town’s iconic Beachside Avenue. The properties — 120-122 Beachside Avenue, 124-128 Beachside Avenue, and 26 Beachside Avenue — were purchased by a single, undisclosed buyer in a notably rare multi-parcel transaction.

Widely regarded as one of the most exclusive stretches of coastline in New England, Beachside Avenue has long attracted discerning buyers, drawn to its sweeping Long Island Sound views, estate-scale properties, privacy, and history of notable residents. Today’s acquisition underscores the continued desirability of the area and the strength of the luxury market in Fairfield County.

For Raus, who has been in Westport since 2017 with his wife and three children, the transaction began in the most organic way: a casual conversation at Compo Beach with a young soccer fan wearing an Arsenal jersey. As a former professional soccer player himself, the moment sparked a friendly exchange – one that unexpectedly led to an introduction to the eventual buyer. That connection set the entire deal in motion.

“What started as a simple chat about soccer became one of the meaningful moments of my real estate career,” said Raus. “Beachside Avenue is one of the most exceptional addresses on the Gold Coast. Helping my clients through a transaction of this scale was truly special, and beyond setting a record for Westport, working with such an incredible family made it even more so. I couldn’t be happier for them.”

Raus’s path to real estate is as compelling as the deal itself. Alongside his work at BHHS New England Properties, he has spent the last nine+ years at a leading global negotiation consultancy, which supports many of the largest Fortune 500 companies in their negotiation needs. As a certified Complete Skilled Negotiator, he brings elite negotiation training and high stakes deal experience to every client interaction. Combined with his deep Fairfield County roots and international background, Raus navigated the complexities of the multi-property acquisition with precision and care.

“We are incredibly proud of John and the professionalism he brought to this unique transaction,” said Barbara Babcock, Westport Office Leader, BHHS New England Properties. “Representing a buyer in a transaction of this magnitude – coordinating the successful purchase of three significant properties – is an extraordinary accomplishment, one that specifically speaks volume to John’s skills, dedication and unwavering commitment to his clients.”