Anne Rice’s enchanting New Orleans home is a stunning Victorian Gothic mansion located in the Garden District. The six-bedroom, 7,609-square-foot house blends historic charm with pastel walls, beautiful stained glass from the 1880s, elaborate moldings, and crystal chandeliers. Known for its spooky, haunted atmosphere dating back to the 1800s, the modren home deeply reflects the gothic and supernatural themes that permeated Rice’s novels, inspired by the mysterious and decadent spirit of New Orleans itself.
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Howard Allen Frances O’Brien (Anne Rice) |
| Birth Date | October 4, 1941 |
| Birth Place | New Orleans, Louisiana, USA |
| Death Date | December 11, 2021 |
| Net Worth | Approximately $60 million at death |
| Notable Works | The Vampire Chronicles series |
| Marital Status | Married to Stan Rice (1961–2002) |
| Children | Two (Michele – deceased, Christopher) |
| Later Residence | Palm Desert, California (one-story rental in gated community) |
| Earlier Residences | New Orleans, La Jolla, Rancho Mirage, California |
Who is Anne Rice?
Anne Rice (born Howard Allen Frances O’Brien; 4 October 1941 – 11 December 2021) was an American author renowned for her Gothic fiction, particularly The Vampire Chronicles series. She gained fame with her debut novel, Interview with the Vampire (1976), which was later adapted into a successful film in 1994. Rice’s writing often explored themes of the supernatural, sin, and psychological complexity. Born in New Orleans, she faced personal tragedy with the loss of her daughter, which profoundly influenced her work. Over her career, she sold over 100 million books and wrote across genres, including Gothic, erotic literature, and Bible fiction. She passed away at the age of 80 from complications following a stroke.
Where Does Anne Rice Currently Live?
Anne Rice, the author known for “The Vampire Chronicles,” passed away in December 2021. Before her death, she lived in Rancho Mirage, California, having moved there around 2006 to be closer to her son in Los Angeles. She had previously lived in New Orleans, Texas, San Francisco, and La Jolla, California, but her last known residence was in Rancho Mirage, California.
Since she has passed, she no longer lives anywhere, but Rancho Mirage was her final residence during her lifetime.
You may also read (inside mitch trubiskys stunning modern mansion a tour of his dream home).
Anne Rice’s House Interior and Exterior
Anne Rice’s houses, especially in New Orleans, reflect her gothic and historic aesthetic. One notable home is a Victorian Gothic mansion in the Garden District, dating from the 1880s. Its exterior is stately and slightly spooky, fitting the haunted reputation of the modren house. The interior features pastel walls, beautiful stained glass from the 1880s, elaborate moldings, mantels, and numerous crystal chandeliers. The house is around 7,609 square feet with six bedrooms. This mansion has been associated with her writing periods and the gothic fiction ambiance that inspired much of her work.
Another significant property is St. Elizabeth’s, a 19th-century red-brick building that was formerly an orphanage and a Catholic girls’ school. Anne Rice purchased it in 1993 and restored it extensively, turning it into the largest home in New Orleans with about 47,000 square feet. It includes a giant ballroom, a writing studio, and a painting studio. This property has a Gothic, historic charm that fits its literary themes.
Both homes showcase Anne Rice’s affinity for old, grand, and historic architecture, rich in Gothic and spiritual atmosphere, often enhanced by original stained glass and Victorian-era details.
Anne Rice’s House History, Worth, and Address
| Home Name/Location | Architectural Design | Worth (approx.) | Address | History/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Charles Avenue Mansion | 1880s Victorian mansion | $4.3M – $4.5M (recent listing) | 3711 St. Charles Ave, New Orleans | Victorian restored with top-to-bottom renovation including new roof, wiring, HVAC, marble floors, and stained glass windows. Owned by Rice in the 1990s, wrote novels here. Sold in 2011. Associated with her “Mayfair” series. |
| St. Elizabeth’s Orphanage | 19th-century, three-story red-brick Italianate building | N/A (converted to condos) | 1314 Napoleon Ave, New Orleans | Former Catholic girl’s school and orphanage turned into New Orleans’s largest residential building by Rice in 1993. 47,000 sq ft, whole city block. Included charity fundraisers and public tours. Sold after husband’s death and converted to luxury condos. |
| Rosegate House (1239 First St) | Greek Revival with Italianate elements | N/A | 1239 First St, New Orleans | Purchased by Rice in 1989, lived here until 2004. Known for rosette pattern fence. Featured a mix of Greek Revival columns, Italianate embellishments, hexagonal window. Gothic and haunted reputation fitting Rice’s style. Featured in her novel “The Witching Hour.” |
Anne Rice owned notable homes in New Orleans that reflect her life and work. One key residence was “Rosegate House” at 1239 First Street, purchased in 1989. This Greek Revival-style mansion with Italianate elements was where she and her husband lived until 2004. This house inspired her novel The Witching Hour and featured detailed architectural and decorative elements typical of New Orleans’ Garden District. The home is also associated with paranormal stories and served as a backdrop for her occult fiction stories.
Another very significant property was the former St. Elizabeth’s Orphanage, a 19th-century Italianate building that Rice purchased in 1993, which was then converted into the largest private residence in New Orleans, spanning an entire city block. She used it for charity events and restored it extensively before selling it after her husband’s death. This building was a famous reference in her work and was later converted into luxury condos.
Regarding worth, the Rosegate House, built in 1857 with five bedrooms and multiple bath facilities, was listed for $3.5 million after a price reduction at one point. The large St. Elizabeth’s building, being a massive historic property, would have considerably more value as well.
The address commonly associated with Anne Rice’s notable New Orleans residence is 1239 First Street (Rosegate House), and the large orphanage-turned-home is on Napoleon Avenue (St. Elizabeth’s Orphanage).
Anne Rice’s House Photo
You may also read (discover the luxury of dicaprios malibu beach house).
