Texas mansion built by founder of chicken empire goes up for auction for $8.9 million

A six-bedroom, 10-bathroom mansion owned by chicken tycoon Lonnie Alfred ‘Bo’ Pilgrim is going up for auction in Texas. 

The opulent home, located in the town of Pittsburg, was built for the billionaire back in 1992, and served as his primary residence up until his death two years ago at the age of 89. 

Pilgrim made his fortune as the co-founder of poultry empire Pilgrim’s Pride and, as such, his estate affectionately became known as ‘Cluckinghim Palace’. 

Pilgrim’s supplied chicken to major brands, including Walmart, Wendy’s and KFC.

While the residence reportedly cost $15 million to construct, Pilgrim’s son is now offloading the property for a far lower cost.  

According to Concierge Auctions, the home will go under the hammer with a starting bid of $8.95 million on October 15. 

The auction house has labelled the residence ‘a French Renaissance dream home’, and accompanying images prove that the superstructure certainly lives up to that grand descriptor. 

The mega-mansion affectionately known as ‘Cluckingham Palace’, which was built and owned by billionaire Lonnie Alfred ‘Bo’ Pilgrim, is going up for auction in Texas with a starting bid of $8.95 million

The foyer of the 18,320 square foot residence features black marble columns and a white marble staircase, signalling to those entering the home that they are now in the midst of grandeur

The foyer of the 18,320 square foot residence features black marble columns and a white marble staircase, signalling to those entering the home that they are now in the midst of grandeur

A large living room off the foyer looks like it was lifted from Marie Antoinette's Versailles, and is complete with crystal chandeliers and intricate molded ceilings

A large living room off the foyer looks like it was lifted from Marie Antoinette’s Versailles, and is complete with crystal chandeliers and intricate molded ceilings

While the name 'Cluckingham Palace' is a riff on one of Britain's most famous buildings, the stylistic inspirations for Pilgrim's property are undeniably French

While the name ‘Cluckingham Palace’ is a riff on one of Britain’s most famous buildings, the stylistic inspirations for Pilgrim’s property are undeniably French

Pilgrim lived with his wife of 61 years, Patty (pictured left), at the estate from 1992 until his death in 2017

Pilgrim lived with his wife of 61 years, Patty (pictured left), at the estate from 1992 until his death in 2017

The foyer of the 18,320 square foot residence features black marble columns and a white marble staircase, signalling to those entering the home that they are now in the midst of grandeur. 

While the name ‘Cluckingham Palace’ is a riff on one of Britain’s most famous buildings, the stylistic inspirations for Pilgrim’s property are undeniably French. 

A large living room off the foyer looks like it was lifted from Marie Antoinette’s Versailles, and is complete with crystal chandeliers and intricate molded ceilings. 

In other rooms of the home, richly detailed wallpapers and patterned carpets also add to the home’s luxurious feel.   

While the residence reportedly cost $15 million to construct, Pilgrim's son is now offloading the property for a far lower cost

While the residence reportedly cost $15 million to construct, Pilgrim’s son is now offloading the property for a far lower cost

Richly detailed wallpapers and patterned carpets also add to the home's luxurious feel

Richly detailed wallpapers and patterned carpets also add to the home’s luxurious feel

One of the home's ten elegant bathrooms is pictured. It includes a sunken bath, marble benches and columns, and several crystal chandeliers

One of the home’s ten elegant bathrooms is pictured. It includes a sunken bath, marble benches and columns, and several crystal chandeliers 

While the home may have a timeless elegance, it also comes complete with several modern trappings

While the home may have a timeless elegance, it also comes complete with several modern trappings

And while the home may have a timeless elegance, it also comes complete with several modern trappings. 

The lavish estate features a screening room, a large gymnasium and an indoor pool set beneath a giant frilled canopy. 

The pool is positioned right next to an indoor bar, meaning its new residents can swim right on up and grab a cocktail after taking a dip.  

Meanwhile, it turns out that Cluckingham Palace is just as impressive on the outside as it is on its inside. 

The home is set on 43 acres, meaning that its new residents will never feel cooped up indoors.   

Its grounds featured landscaped gardens, a small lake and a rotunda, and offer residents maximum privacy. 

And should the new owners wish to escape the hen house, Cluckingham Palace is located just 10 miles from Lake Cypress Springs where water skiing, boating, and fishing are all on offer. 

Meanwhile, Dallas is just a two hour drive away if business needs to be conducted in a big city. 

The lavish estate features a screening room, a large gymnasium and an indoor pool set beneath a giant frilled canopy

The lavish estate features a screening room, a large gymnasium and an indoor pool set beneath a giant frilled canopy

Residents can keep on top of their fitness by working out in a gymnasium finished off with pale pink wallpaper

Residents can keep on top of their fitness by working out in a gymnasium finished off with pale pink wallpaper 

Pilgrim lived at the estate for more than two decades with his beloved wife of 61 years, Patty. 

The small-town Texan was famous for co-founding Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation alongside his brother, Aubrey. 

According to The New York Times, the company ‘had operations in 17 states and Mexico, more than 35,000 employees and thousands of trucks in transit’ during its peak.  

The home is set on 43 acres, meaning that its new residents will never feel cooped up indoors

The home is set on 43 acres, meaning that its new residents will never feel cooped up indoors

The grounds featured landscaped gardens, a small lake and a rotunda, and offer residents maximum privacy

The grounds featured landscaped gardens, a small lake and a rotunda, and offer residents maximum privacy

Dallas is just a two hour drive away if business needs to be conducted in a big city

Dallas is just a two hour drive away if business needs to be conducted in a big city

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