Miss Universe's villa burned down in the blink of an eye, assets turned to ashes

Thailand's SiamTownUS reported that Miss Universe 1998 Porntip Nakhirunkanok Simon's villa in Malibu, Los Angeles, USA - located opposite the Cholada Thai Cuisine restaurant - was burned down by a wildfire on January 8.

Porntip Nakhirunkanok Simon confirmed on her personal page that her house had burned down. "We lost our beloved Malibu home yesterday. So many precious memories in that special home, where my children were born and raised. My first home and sacred home for the past 25 years has now turned to ash, erasing all the furniture, photos and memorabilia of the past few decades," she shared.

The beauty sent her thanks to her friends who visited and encouraged her: "In this terrifying moment, I truly remember how precious life is and that our friends and loved ones are the ones who really matter the most."

Porntip Nakhirunkanok Simon confirmed that she and her family were safe in the fire. "Thank you for your concerns. We are all safe. Let's continue to think of ways to help each other. Sending love and prayers to everyone," she said.

Out-of-control wildfires have engulfed the upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood, home to many Hollywood celebrities, and several surrounding neighborhoods. Million-dollar celebrity mansions were destroyed, including those of Paris Hilton, Billy Crystal, Anthony Hopkins, Anna Faris, Miles Teller, and more.

As of the morning of January 9 (local time), five fires had burned nearly 30,000 acres (more than 12,140 hectares) in Los Angeles County. The Palisades Fire alone burned more than 17,000 acres (more than 6,879 hectares), forcing dozens of people to evacuate.

Porntip Nakhirunkanok Simon was born in 1968, is a Thai-American. She was crowned Miss Universe 1988. She is the second Thai woman to win the Miss Universe title. Porntip graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Pepperdine University.

In 1989, Porntip was appointed a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador to Thailand by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. As a Goodwill Ambassador, she addressed the United Nations General Assembly on the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In 2002, Porntip Nakhirunkanok Simon married Herbert Simon, an American businessman and owner of the Indiana Pacers basketball team and Simon Property Group.

In addition to Miss Universe 1998, the wildfire also damaged a series of other celebrity mansions. Billy Crystal lost his Pacific Palisades home, where he had lived since 1979. Paris Hilton had to watch her Malibu beach house burn down on live television.

The list of people who lost their homes and entire neighborhoods in the worst fire in Los Angeles history reads like a list of Hollywood's most prominent stars.

Jamie Lee Curtis, James Woods, Mandy Moore, Mark Hamill and Maria Shriver are among those who have publicly described being forced to evacuate as out-of-control fires swept through some of the world's most luxurious properties.

Among them are "Gossip Girl" star Leighton Meester and her husband, "The OC" actor Adam Brody, two-time Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins, "Roseanne" star John Goodman, "Top Gun: Maverick" actor Miles Teller and "Scary Movie" star Anna Faris.

Longtime Oscar host Crystal and his wife, Janice, said they were heartbroken to lose the Pacific Palisades home where they raised their children and grandchildren. “But with the love of our kids and our friends, we will get through this,” they said, comforting each other.

Media star Paris Hilton said she was "heartbroken beyond words" over the loss of her beachfront mansion. "Sitting with my family, watching the news and seeing our Malibu home burn down on live TV is something not everyone gets to experience," Hilton sadly shared on social media X.

California Wildfires: Horrifying Stories from Residents, Burned to the Ground in a Blink of an Eye T.P13:43:41 11/01/2025The fire in California is truly shaking the whole world, the loss of life and property is increasing rapidly. Through the accounts of witnesses, anyone who hears it is terrified.