Rapper Kanye West‘s once-plentiful real estate portfolio has been left in a state of despair, with the latest casualty of the A-lister’s so-called dwelling curse being his childhood home, which he has reportedly failed to pay taxes on for the past several months.
The “Gold Digger” hitmaker, 48, has been reportedly grappling with financial woes, placing what remains of his property empire into jeopardy.
Now, West—who recently sold off his Wyoming ranch—is allegedly behind on paying taxes on his childhood home, which is located in South Shore Chicago, according to Crain’s Chicago Business.
According to the Cook County Treasurer’s records, the property tax bill on the home totals $1,514 and was due March 4. However, it has yet to be paid.
The second installment, which was due Aug. 1, has also not been paid.
West snapped up his childhood home in 2018 for $225,000—15 years after his mother, Donda West, sold the property.
The rapper decided to buy the property to save it from demolition after the then-owner noted that the abode was in horrible shape.
Today, the property boasts a light blue facade, multiple windows, which all appear to be in great shape, and a new roof.
The home is situated behind a iron fence with the letters, “DH,” for “Donda’s House,” on it.
The news that the rapper is seemingly months behind on tax payments comes mere weeks after Realtor.com® exclusively revealed West’s abandoned and neglected homes in a series of photos.
His Yeezy headquarters, for example, which the “Gold Digger” hitmaker purchased in 2023 as a place to host runway events for his beleaguered fashion brand, have been reduced to little more than a shell of the modern and glitzy Melrose Avenue space it once was.
Today, the property is little more than a concrete shell, having been almost entirely demolished before work appears to have been abandoned altogether. Temporary gray walls surround the structure, most of which have been covered in graffiti, while others have paint peeling off them.
And, it’s not the only abode of his that has fallen into a state of despair.
West’s $2.2 million Calabasas ranch has also been left decaying for the last many years.
On Oct. 20, it was revealed that West sold off his second Wyoming ranch, back to the original owners for $14 million, in the midst of reported money woes.
He returned Bighorn Mountain Ranch, which sprawls across 6,713 acres, to the Flitner family, who first sold the “Gold Digger” hitmaker the land in 2019.
His purchase of the property back in 2019 marked the second time he had purchased a Wyoming ranch; his first was snapped up in an apparent effort to curb homelessness. That dwelling, known as Monster Lake Ranch, was listed in 2024 for $12 million and remains on the market.
According to Cowboy State Daily, the sale of Bighorn Mountain Ranch was notarized by West’s wife, Bianca Censori, on Sept. 17.
And while the Flitner family is thankful they have the property back in their hands, they revealed that it is nothing like what it once was.
“Unlike Monster Ranch, he did not knock down any of the buildings. I think his original intent for the Mountain Ranch might have been somewhere that his family could go and be away from the rest of the world,” Pam Flitner told the outlet.
The ranch has been listed and delisted multiple times over the last six years; and according to the Flitners, they have repeatedly tried to contact West’s team about the property but have been unsuccessful.
“A lot of people have said that he was a really, really good guy and that he was really on task a lot of the time. So, none of us can fault him at all for buying it and trying to get something accomplished for himself,” Greg Flitner said.
The rapper bought the ranch from Greg’s father and his wife, David and Paula Flitner.
Greg noted that at the time that the sale was “one of those things” that needed to happen.
“We went ahead and got ahold of the [real estate agent], and it was kind of a rush thing, because it sounded like the people who they were flying in to look at it, a lot of them were speculators.
“A big chunk of the ranch sold when the mountain sold. We had to do some real adjustments, and we just weren’t able, at the time, to buy it back, even if we would have wanted to. So, luckily, by the grace of God, you know, six years later we are in a different position,” Pam told the outlet.
The ranch, which was founded in 1906, is covered by National Forest lands, and features lush greenery, cattle operations, wildlife, and several cabins and lodges.
It comes complete with a five-bedroom, four-bathroom cabin with a enough space for several people.
He reportedly picked up the ranch with the intention of holding his Sunday Services there.
It is understood to include a number of incredibly luxurious amenities, included heated helicopter pads and walk-in saunas.
It has been known as his “therapy ranch,” because it is where he sought comfort during his divorce to Kardashian, and where he crafted his album, “Donda.”
The news of the sale is causing many to assume that West may be in suffering from financial issues as this is just the latest home of his to reach the market.
