Leonard Sacks: Stuart mansion featured on NBC's Dateline has deeper story of homeowner's struggle

STUART, Fla. - A $5.9 million mansion on Hutchinson Island found itself all over NBC's Dateline on Sunday night.

The home, on the 7000 block of SE Harbor Circl,e was featured as part of a series on how lottery winners spend their money.

"With all due respect to them and the house, I do not think they were the match made in heaven," said Leonard Sacks, who owns the home.

While the oceanfront property seems glamorous on the outside, inside the 4-bedroom, 6 bath home, there is a timeline of a homeowner's struggles to still come out on top.

Sacks built the 8,000-square-foot home nearly 20 years ago. It has been Sacks' everything.

"It was a last project on the way to getting old," said Sacks.

A transition from a hard working New York ad man, to the last phase of his life. But Sacks would have to face old age on his own.

"It's a tough time that doesn't end," said Sacks.

His wife of 59 years died four years ago just as he faced another challenge. Sacks found himself on the long list of victims scammed by Bernie Madoff's Ponzi Scheme.

"Growing old is not for sissies. That's not an original line, but you just have to cope with stuff. And having been in business a long time is very helpful," said Sacks.

It would be the his business expertise that would help him ride the challenging wave. He managed to hold onto his life's work when others lost everything.

Now, Sacks is parting ways with his dream home. He is selling it, looking for a small apartment, completing what he calls the cycle of life.

"At a certain point, change is good and I've had this house and I've loved it. And it's been a great experience, it's time to move on," said Sacks.

Sacks' realtor said while the couple featured on NBC's Dateline did not buy the home, the exposure has been great. He said he has fielded a lot of phone calls from interested buyers since the story aired.