JULIA ROBERTS - ROBERTS BUYS RUMSFELD'S LAND

New mother JULIA ROBERTS has bought 32 acres of prime real estate in Taos, New Mexico - from America's Secretary of Defense DONALD RUMSFELD.

Roberts, 37, has been buying up land from neighbours since she took up part-time residence in the state in July 1995. Her latest purchase is adjacent to 80 acres she already owns.

According to a warranty deed filed with the Taos County Clerk's office on 15 December (04), JULIA'S ASTRAL TRUST - the entity that holds her real estate properties - bought seven tracts from Rumsfeld in an area of Taos County known as Des Montes. Rumsfeld has extensive real estate holdings in the Taos area, including several houses.

Although New Mexico public property records don't show the value of real estate transactions, real estate prices in the Des Montes area range from $110,000 (GBP57,894) to $125,000 (GBP65,789) an acre, according to local realtors. That would make Roberts' recent purchase worth several million dollars.

Roberts and her husband DANNY MODER became first-time parents to twins HAZEL PATRICIA and PHINNAEUS WALTER in November (04).