Villa Monaco - the House of Stars
Interview with the Owner Jessica Stockmann
Another summer has passed and many famous guests once again stayed at Villa Monaco. Let's start right away: Which famous people have already visited your villa and what stories can you share?
Jessica Stockmann: I've actually had a lot of interesting and exciting guests visit. Where do I start? I was particularly pleased when the German NBA superstar Dirk Nowitzki came with his family for 10 days. Dirk celebrated his birthday with us and we had a 250 cm long bed made especially for him. After all, he is 213 cm tall and shouldn't have to sleep with his legs drawn up! Just imagine that: Dirk like in a crib! We had to do something about that. When we took a photo together, I was already wearing high heels, but Dirk told me to put on a hat so that I could cheat another 10 cm. But it still wasn't enough, because in the photo I still look like a dwarf next to him.
That really sounds like tailor-made support! Have there been any other big sports stars at the villa?
Jessica Stockmann: Oh yes, just recently NBA superstar Kevin Durant stayed with us for a week. We already had the long bed, but Kevin really wanted his stepper on the terrace because with his long upper body he was afraid of hitting his head on the ceiling inside. It was really crazy to see Kevin Durant stepping on my terrace. When we took a photo together, Kevin suggested we do it sitting on the stairs so he wouldn't look so big next to Nisha and me.
How funny. Did you have any other athletes visiting?
Jessica Stockmann: Absolutely! Mark Cavendish, the cycling legend, was an unforgettable guest. He just broke Eddy Merckx's long-term record at the Tour de France and has now finally gone down in history with his 35th stage win. Mark came for 10 days with his family and didn't leave by cab like the rest of his family, but actually rode his bike to Nice airport. I asked him: "Mark, are you serious? You want to cycle to the airport?" And he replied: "Sure, then I've already done 35 km of my daily training and only have to ride 50 km when I get home." I mean, who needs a cab when you have a racing bike, right? (laughs)
I often have professional athletes visiting me. Dutch soccer star Nathan Ake, who has just reached the semi-finals of the European Championships, also spent a week at Villa Monaco. Such a treasure. I'm so pleased that Nathan proposed to his Kaylee here with us. They took a photo with their wedding bouquet in front of Villa Monaco as a memento (photo). The whole engagement week was like a fairytale in the smallest family circle. So incredibly beautiful, but I don't want to give away any details.
What about stars from other fields?
Jessica Stockmann: First, various professional athletes stayed with us and then the show business discovered our paradise for itself.
Jazz legend John McLaughlin unpacked his guitar at our place.
The American actress Kelly Rutherford loves to come here with her two dogs.
Elisabeth Hurley was here with her son Damian.
Oliver Geissen came to visit for Formula 1 week.
The Romanian opera star Cezar Ouatu sang so well that I couldn't stop myself from indulging.
Terry Waya, also known as Mister Versace, spent a week here.
My friend Monika Baccardi is also often here.
The French star comedian Kevin Adams came for four days with his team. He made us all laugh so much and played table tennis for hours with his friends. Even if he didn't always win, he had a new joke ready with every rally. It was like a live comedy show, but without the entrance fee.
And I love the French singer Hélène Ségara very much and felt very honoured when she came.
Do you also have regular guests who come back again and again?
Jessica Stockmann: Oh yes, lots of them. Hardly anyone comes just once. Mihaela Schwarzenberger (photo), a Romanian TV star, has even been here more than ten times. She calls Villa Monaco her "magical place".
That sounds like an international dream cast for the TV format "House of Stars".
Jessica Stockmann: (laughs) Yes, in a way, but unlike the TV format "House of Stars", the TV cameras have to stay outside.
I think you'll have to invite me too, please.
Jessica Stockmann: Of course. I'd love to. But only if I don't have any guests, because that's the principle of Villa Monaco. The celebrities don't want to meet journalists here and want to be among themselves. Please don't take it personally.
I understand that, of course. Do you also have royal or aristocratic guests?
Jessica Stockmann: Yes, even particularly royal families feel at home here because they don't have to pay attention to etiquette and can walk around the grounds in their jogging suits. It's a wonderful sight to see the prince standing at the barbecue and the princess chopping salad in the kitchen. I'll never forget pictures like that.
Oh, I'd love to be a fly on the wall. What's the best way to get to Villa Monaco?
Jessica Stockmann: You fly to Nice and then it's 30 minutes by car, but the other day Felix Baumgartner came to my house for dinner (photo) and said: "I'm not going to jump into your garden from space, but the next time I come to your house I'll definitely land here on your property from the air. Let me surprise you." I'm curious to see how he's going to do it, but I trust Felix to do anything.
It seems that Villa Monaco is a real haven for many celebrities. How did you actually come to this property?
Jessica Stockmann: Over 30 years ago, it was a huge old olive plantation that belonged to my godfather Götz. He was kind enough to divide up part of the olive plantation and give it to me, and then I started building. I'm still constantly rebuilding and extending the house. I love building sites, it's almost like an addiction for me. I have now also built a guest room in a guest house on the first floor so that my father (89), who can no longer walk the stairs so well, can always visit us in winter when it's not so warm.
Villa Monaco is a little paradise where 3 generations feel at home. Here we can eat our own unsprayed lemons and oranges and forget about all the bad things happening out there in the world. There's nothing better than being able to "just" be yourself from time to time. And my guests seem to feel the same way. That's why my home has somehow become an insider tip among celebrities.