Before Donald Trump bought Mar-a-Lago, this is how it looked under the ownership of America’s richest woman

Long earlier it was Donald Trump’s lavish location base, nan Mar-a-Lago property was a sparkling illustration of Palm Beach’s glitzy, old-money charm.

This stunning Florida mansion connected South Ocean Boulevard began arsenic nan dream of cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post, erstwhile nan richest female successful America.

After inheriting her family’s luck successful 1914 — an eye-popping $20 cardinal astatine nan clip (some $615 cardinal today), acknowledgment to nan iconic Post cereal empire — Post embarked connected an epic hunt for nan cleanable location to build her ain luxurious sanctuary, yet landing connected a premier spot betwixt nan Atlantic Ocean and Lake Worth.

In nan early 1920s, pinch designer Marion Sims Wyeth astatine nan helm, Post and her then-husband, financier E.F. Hutton, launched nan building of nan Mediterranean-inspired property that would go Mar-a-Lago, meaning “Sea to Lake” successful Spanish.

Between 1924 and 1927, nan property sprang to life connected what was erstwhile swampland. Sprawling complete 20 acres, Mar-a-Lago showcased architectural marvels and exquisite specifications originated from Italy, Spain, France and Cuba.

The 114-room mansion was an oasis of creation and design, featuring a 36,000-tile show of Spanish artistry, including tiles making love backmost to nan 15th century. The main hallway glowed pinch a ceiling that nodded to Venice’s Thousand-Wing Ceiling, while chandeliers and intricate furnishings lit up nan expansive surviving spaces.

Post, who only spent portion of nan twelvemonth astatine Mar-a-Lago, dressed up each room pinch pieces arsenic luxurious arsenic they were rare.

“The architecture, sculpture, readying and craftsmanship that went into this magnificent property could not beryllium duplicated today,” notes nan estate’s website.

Outside, arches crafted from Dorian chromatic (flecked pinch Italian seashells and fossils) gave nan spot a standout look. The exterior besides boasted a hurricane-resistant creation — nary mini feat successful Palm Beach — anchored into coral reef for protection.

Post adored entertaining and was celebrated for hosting swanky events, from expansive kindness balls to friendly dinners. She moreover added a creation level successful 1961, indulging her lifelong emotion for quadrate dancing. And for meals, her eating room dazzled pinch black-and-white tiles originated from a Cuban castle and could spot up to 30 astatine a array carved from semi-precious stones.

One room moreover housed her postulation of Venetian solid and mirrors, glistening for illustration a segment from a Renaissance palace.

When Post died successful 1973, Mar-a-Lago was concisely handed complete to nan US government, intended arsenic a retreat for American presidents.

However, maintaining nan spot proved excessively costly, and it was returned to nan Post Foundation a decade later.

Some treasures from nan estate, including 18th-century French artwork and eating room pieces, were moved to Post’s Hillwood Estate successful Washington, DC.

In 1985, Donald Trump stepped successful and bought Mar-a-Lago, transforming it into a members-only nine a decade later — complete pinch formation access, a pool, spa and tennis courts.

“It is nan past remaining Palm Beach property still containing its buildings and onshore successful almost identical shape arsenic its original conception,” according to nan property’s website.

Trump modernized parts of nan estate, restoring it to bespeak Post’s original imagination while adding his ain touches, including a refreshed ballroom and a revitalized play course.

Today, Mar-a-Lago stands arsenic a storied Palm Beach landmark, moreover becoming nan halfway of controversy.

In 2022, nan FBI raided nan estate, seizing classified documents and sparking ineligible battles complete nan handling of authorities materials.

More recently, information descended connected nan area owed to a 2nd assassination attempt against Trump — this clip adjacent his West Palm Beach play club, conscionable a short thrust from Mar-a-Lago.