The Marge Schott House stands as one of Cincinnati’s most famous estates, representing the lavish lifestyle of baseball’s most controversial female owner. This magnificent property tells the story of a woman who broke barriers in professional sports while living in extraordinary luxury. Moreover, the Marge Schott House reflects the complex legacy of someone who owned the Cincinnati Reds for over 15 years and became one of baseball’s most talked-about figures.
Who Was Marge Schott?
Marge Schott was a groundbreaking businesswoman who made history as the first woman to buy and operate a Major League Baseball team without inheriting it. She owned the Cincinnati Reds from 1984 to 1999 and built an impressive fortune estimated at over $50 million. Additionally, Schott controlled multiple businesses including car dealerships, brick companies, and iron works that she inherited from her husband Charles in 1968.
Her wealth wasn’t just tied up in businesses. Furthermore, Schott owned a stunning 70-acre estate in Cincinnati’s exclusive Indian Hills neighborhood. She also maintained a collection of luxury vehicles through her car dealership and lived surrounded by 22 Saint Bernard dogs on her sprawling property. However, despite her wealth, Schott was known for her frugal approach to spending, often keeping baseball ticket prices low for fans.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Margaret Carolyn Unnewehr Schott |
| Born | August 18, 1928, Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Died | March 2, 2004, Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Net Worth | $50+ million |
| Primary Residence | 70-acre estate, Indian Hills, Cincinnati |
| Occupation | Baseball team owner, businesswoman |
| Teams Owned | Cincinnati Reds (1984-1999) |
| Spouse | Charles J. Schott (1952-1968) |
| Children | None |
| Notable Assets | Car dealerships, brick company, iron works |
| Famous Pets | 22 Saint Bernard dogs |
Where Did Marge Schott Live?
Marge Schott lived on a spectacular 70-acre estate in Cincinnati’s prestigious Indian Hills neighborhood. This exclusive area has long been home to Cincinnati’s wealthiest families and business leaders. After her husband Charles died in 1968, she remained on the property for the rest of her life, turning it into her personal sanctuary.
The estate became her refuge from the public eye, especially during the many controversies that surrounded her ownership of the Cincinnati Reds. Furthermore, she spent her final years there, surrounded by her beloved Saint Bernard dogs and the memories of her late husband. The property represented not just wealth, but also the isolation that came to define her later years.
Marge Schott House
The Marge Schott House was actually a magnificent 40-room mansion that served as the centerpiece of her 70-acre estate. This incredible property represented one of Cincinnati’s most impressive private residences during Schott’s lifetime. Built to accommodate her lavish lifestyle, the mansion featured multiple bedrooms, entertainment spaces, and areas specifically designed for her large collection of Saint Bernard dogs.
The house reflected Schott’s personality perfectly – grand yet practical, expensive yet lived-in. Additionally, the mansion included special accommodations for her pets, as she famously kept 22 Saint Bernards on the property. The home also featured extensive grounds where she raised cattle, refusing to let anyone slaughter the calves because she enjoyed watching the “families out in the field”.
1. Where Is Marge Schott’s House?
The Marge Schott House was located in Cincinnati’s exclusive Indian Hills neighborhood, sitting on a sprawling 70-acre estate. This prime location placed her among Cincinnati’s elite families and provided the privacy she craved. The property offered stunning views of rolling hills and pastoral landscapes that reminded visitors of English countryside estates.
Indian Hills has always been one of Cincinnati’s most desirable neighborhoods, known for its large estates and wealthy residents. Moreover, the area provided Schott with the space she needed for her various animals and business interests. The location also offered easy access to downtown Cincinnati while maintaining the feel of a rural retreat.
2. Features of Marge Schott House
The Marge Schott House featured an impressive 40-room layout that showcased luxury and comfort throughout. The mansion’s design emphasized both grandeur and functionality, with spaces dedicated to entertaining, relaxation, and her beloved pets. Additionally, the house included multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, and common areas that could accommodate large gatherings.
The architectural style reflected classic American mansion design with modern amenities added over the years. Furthermore, the house featured special areas for her Saint Bernard dogs, including indoor spaces where they could roam freely. The mansion also included a master suite where Schott spent her final years, often looking out over her cattle pastures and remembering happier times with her late husband.
The grounds surrounding the Marge Schott House were equally impressive, featuring manicured lawns, walking paths, and areas specifically designed for her animals. The estate also included outbuildings for storage, maintenance, and housing for caretakers who helped manage the large property.
Marge Schott’s Real Estate Portfolio
Beyond her famous Indian Hills estate, Marge Schott’s real estate holdings reflected her business acumen and inherited wealth. When her husband Charles died in 1968, she inherited an estimated $3 million in cash, real estate, and small companies. This inheritance formed the foundation of her later real estate investments and business ventures.
Her primary residence remained the 70-acre Indian Hills estate throughout her adult life. However, she also maintained business properties related to her car dealerships and other ventures. Additionally, Schott owned the brick company and iron works facilities that generated much of her ongoing income.
The Marge Schott House and surrounding estate represented her most significant real estate asset. After her death in 2004, the property became part of her estate and eventually changed hands. The mansion and grounds had been her home for over 35 years, serving as both a private retreat and a symbol of her success in male-dominated industries.
Interestingly, there’s also historical significance to another property associated with the Schott family name. Pine Meer, built in 1922-1924, was the historic estate of William Charles and Lucia Riedlin Schott, members of the extended Schott family. This Tudor Revival mansion in Green Township represents the family’s long-standing wealth and prominence in Cincinnati society. The property, known locally as the “Schott Estate,” showcases the family’s architectural tastes and social standing.
Conclusion
The Marge Schott House remains a fascinating piece of Cincinnati history, representing both the achievements and controversies of one of baseball’s most unique owners. This 40-room mansion on 70 acres showcased the lifestyle of a woman who broke barriers in professional sports while maintaining her own very particular way of living. From her 22 Saint Bernard dogs to her cattle that she refused to slaughter, everything about the property reflected Schott’s complex personality.
Today, the legacy of the Marge Schott House continues to intrigue people interested in both baseball history and luxury real estate. The estate stands as a reminder of an era when individual owners could truly put their personal stamp on major league franchises, for better or worse.
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FAQs
Where is Marge Schott buried?
Marge Schott is buried at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Montgomery, Hamilton County, Ohio. She was interred wearing her signature red suit with an elephant brooch. Her funeral was held at All Saints Catholic Church in the Cincinnati suburb of Kenwood before her burial.
Who inherited Marge Schott’s estate?
The bulk of Marge Schott’s $123.4 million estate went to the Marge & Charles J. Schott Foundation, a charitable foundation she had established with her late husband. She left $1 million to each of her four sisters and smaller amounts to several longtime employees. Since Schott had no children and never remarried after her husband’s death in 1968, most of her wealth was directed toward charitable causes through the foundation.
Who owned the Reds after Marge Schott?
After Marge Schott was forced to sell her controlling interest in 1999, Carl Lindner Jr. purchased the Cincinnati Reds for $67 million. Lindner, who owned the Great American Insurance Company, bought the team from Schott and her limited partners. Later, in 2005, Lindner sold the franchise to a group headed by Robert Castellini, a produce mogul with local Cincinnati ties. The Castellini ownership group acquired about 70 percent ownership of the franchise, which was valued at approximately $270 million at the time. Castellini’s group continues to own the team today.
