Bizarre cases of celebrity wills and last requests

Nearly five years after its discovery, Aretha Franklin handwritten will tucked away in her sofa was deemed valid by a Michigan jury on July 11 2023. The document, dated 2014, was found in the Queen of Soul's Detroit home after her 2018 death, and though many of the documents were hard to read at times, the jury concluded that it had her name signed at the bottom, according to The Associated Press.

The news was especially significant for Franklin's sons Kecalf and Edward, who argued that the handwritten will should override a 2010 will that was found around the same time in a locked cabinet, which stipulated that Kecalf and Edward “must take business classes and get a certificate or a degree” to benefit from the estate. The later document also states that three of Aretha’s sons, including Ted White Jr., would split her music royalties equally and take care of their fourth brother who has a mental illness. Kecalf and his children are also set to inherit her home in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

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Naomi Judd -

Naomi Judd didn't include her only two daughters in her last will and testament, Page Six reported. The late country singer, who tragically took her own life on April 30, 2022, instead appointed her husband of 33 years, Larry Strickland, as the executor of her estate, giving him “full authority and discretion” over any property that is an asset to her estate without permission from any beneficiary of the estate, according to court documents. Should he be unable to serve as executor, the role would then be split between her brother-in-law Reginald Strickland Daniel Kris Wiatr, the president of a Tennessee law firm Wiatr & Associates—the law firm which vouched that Naomi was of “sound mind, memory and understanding, and not under any restraint or in any respect incompetent to make a Last Will and Testament" when she prepared the will on November 20, 2017.

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Alexander McQueen -

The innovative fashion designer loved his dogs, and left a reported US$75,000 to them.

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Tupac Shakur - On his track, 'Black Jesus,' the rapper asked for friends to smoke his ashes. Members of his crew, Outlawz, followed through with this request.

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Farrah Fawcett - Controversy ensued when Farrah Fawcett passed away in 2009, leaving nothing to her longtime lover Ryan O'Neal.

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Leona Helmsley -

The flamboyant businesswoman left US$10 million to her brother, and US$5 million to her grandsons. Meanwhile her dog, Maltese, received US$12 million.

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William Shakespeare -

The legendary writer left a strange present to his wife, Anne Hathaway. He left his "second best bed" for his wife—that's right, his second best.

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Charles Dickens - Dickens didn't want any "monument, memorial or testimonial whatsoever." Although, this was ignored. "He could not possibly imagine that his popularity would have been what it is today," said his great-great-grandson.

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Harry Houdini - Houdini was an iconic magician, and kept the tricks coming from the afterlife. His wife was instructed to hold séances every year on his death date, October 31.

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Alain Delon -

The late Alain Delon's controversial desire to be buried with his beloved dog, Loubo, has sparked debate. While the French actor's deep affection for the animal is undeniable, the idea of euthanizing a healthy pet to accompany him in death has faced significant criticism. Ultimately, Delon's family has decided to respect animal welfare concerns and did not fulfill his unusual wish following Delon's passing in August 18, 2024.

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Napoleon - After his death, Napoleon asked for his head to be shaved, and his hair divided among friends.

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Gene Roddenberry - The 'Star Trek' creator asked for his ashes to be sent into space. This was done in 1997.

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Philip Seymour Hoffman - Apparently, the actor didn't want "trust fund kids," so he left everything to his girlfriend Mimi O'Donnell.

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Marilyn Monroe - Marilyn Monroe left thousands to her half-sister, friends, and her personal secretary. However, all of her possessions and clothing went to her acting coach, Lee Strasberg.

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John B. Kelly - The Olympic gold rower had a humorous request, asking his daughter (Grace Kelly) to "not bankrupt the Principality of Monaco with the bills about her clothing."

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Janis Joplin - Joplin was a wild superstar, and didn't want a miserable funeral. Instead, she left around US$2,500 for her friends to have an all-night party.

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William Randolph Hearst - Mr. Hearst was an influential magazine mogul. In his will, he offered just one dollar to anyone who could prove they were his child.

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Dusty Springfield - Springfield had some curious requests for her cat, Nicholas. She asked for him to be fed baby food, given a tree house, and to be serenaded by Springfield's records.

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Adam Yauch - In his will, the Beastie Boy asked that neither his image or music should be used for advertising.

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Mickey Rooney - Once a star, Mickey Rooney had around US$80,000 before he passed away. The actor left none of it to his wife and children.

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Jeremy Bentham - The philosopher asked that his body be stuffed with hay, and put on display in London. You can still see him there today.

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John Bowman - The socialite paid US$50,000 to employ staff who would mind his house after he died, as he believed that he, his wife, and his daughter would be reincarnated.

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George Bernard Shaw - George Bernard Shaw was a bit of an odd fellow, and left behind money to fund a new alphabet. By the end of his death year (1950), the Shaw Alphabet was introduced.

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Benjamin Franklin - His face is on money, but Benjamin Franklin said his daughter Sarah would "not engage the expensive, vain, and useless pastime of wearing jewels." She didn't listen.

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Fred Baur - Fred Baur invented the Pringles can, and asked that he be buried in one. His family agreed.

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Oprah Winfrey - Oprah Winfrey has apparently left US$30 million to her dogs.

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Robert Kardashian -

The defense lawyer left a US$100 million estate in trust for the Kardashians.

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Simon Cowell - The powerful media figure has said that he will leave all his money to charity, and not to his children.

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Bill Gates - The entire Gates fortune will not be left to his children, but his children will receive a small portion of US$10 million.

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Elton John - Elton John has an estimated fortune of over US$500 million, but has told the Mirror about his concerns leaving money. "It's terrible to give kids a silver spoon. It ruins their life."

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Sean Connery -

Sean Connery reportedly told his son that he would not receive a penny of his fortune. Connery's former wife, Diane Cilento, revealed the news.

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Aretha Franklin -

1 / 32 Fotos

Naomi Judd -

2 / 32 Fotos

Alexander McQueen -

The innovative fashion designer loved his dogs, and left a reported US$75,000 to them.

Getty Images

3 / 32 Fotos

Tupac Shakur - On his track, 'Black Jesus,' the rapper asked for friends to smoke his ashes. Members of his crew, Outlawz, followed through with this request.

4 / 32 Fotos

Farrah Fawcett - Controversy ensued when Farrah Fawcett passed away in 2009, leaving nothing to her longtime lover Ryan O'Neal.

5 / 32 Fotos

Leona Helmsley -

The flamboyant businesswoman left US$10 million to her brother, and US$5 million to her grandsons. Meanwhile her dog, Maltese, received US$12 million.

6 / 32 Fotos

William Shakespeare -

The legendary writer left a strange present to his wife, Anne Hathaway. He left his "second best bed" for his wife—that's right, his second best.

7 / 32 Fotos

8 / 32 Fotos

Harry Houdini - Houdini was an iconic magician, and kept the tricks coming from the afterlife. His wife was instructed to hold séances every year on his death date, October 31.

9 / 32 Fotos

Alain Delon -

Getty Images

10 / 32 Fotos

Napoleon - After his death, Napoleon asked for his head to be shaved, and his hair divided among friends.

11 / 32 Fotos

Gene Roddenberry - The 'Star Trek' creator asked for his ashes to be sent into space. This was done in 1997.

12 / 32 Fotos

Philip Seymour Hoffman - Apparently, the actor didn't want "trust fund kids," so he left everything to his girlfriend Mimi O'Donnell.

13 / 32 Fotos

Marilyn Monroe - Marilyn Monroe left thousands to her half-sister, friends, and her personal secretary. However, all of her possessions and clothing went to her acting coach, Lee Strasberg.

14 / 32 Fotos

John B. Kelly - The Olympic gold rower had a humorous request, asking his daughter (Grace Kelly) to "not bankrupt the Principality of Monaco with the bills about her clothing."

15 / 32 Fotos

Janis Joplin - Joplin was a wild superstar, and didn't want a miserable funeral. Instead, she left around US$2,500 for her friends to have an all-night party.

16 / 32 Fotos

William Randolph Hearst - Mr. Hearst was an influential magazine mogul. In his will, he offered just one dollar to anyone who could prove they were his child.

17 / 32 Fotos

Dusty Springfield - Springfield had some curious requests for her cat, Nicholas. She asked for him to be fed baby food, given a tree house, and to be serenaded by Springfield's records.

18 / 32 Fotos

Adam Yauch - In his will, the Beastie Boy asked that neither his image or music should be used for advertising.

19 / 32 Fotos

Mickey Rooney - Once a star, Mickey Rooney had around US$80,000 before he passed away. The actor left none of it to his wife and children.

20 / 32 Fotos

Jeremy Bentham - The philosopher asked that his body be stuffed with hay, and put on display in London. You can still see him there today.

21 / 32 Fotos

John Bowman - The socialite paid US$50,000 to employ staff who would mind his house after he died, as he believed that he, his wife, and his daughter would be reincarnated.

22 / 32 Fotos

George Bernard Shaw - George Bernard Shaw was a bit of an odd fellow, and left behind money to fund a new alphabet. By the end of his death year (1950), the Shaw Alphabet was introduced.

23 / 32 Fotos

Benjamin Franklin - His face is on money, but Benjamin Franklin said his daughter Sarah would "not engage the expensive, vain, and useless pastime of wearing jewels." She didn't listen.

24 / 32 Fotos

Fred Baur - Fred Baur invented the Pringles can, and asked that he be buried in one. His family agreed.

25 / 32 Fotos

Oprah Winfrey - Oprah Winfrey has apparently left US$30 million to her dogs.

26 / 32 Fotos

Robert Kardashian -

The defense lawyer left a US$100 million estate in trust for the Kardashians.

Getty Images

27 / 32 Fotos

Simon Cowell - The powerful media figure has said that he will leave all his money to charity, and not to his children.

28 / 32 Fotos

Bill Gates - The entire Gates fortune will not be left to his children, but his children will receive a small portion of US$10 million.

29 / 32 Fotos

Elton John - Elton John has an estimated fortune of over US$500 million, but has told the Mirror about his concerns leaving money. "It's terrible to give kids a silver spoon. It ruins their life."

30 / 32 Fotos

Sean Connery -

Sean Connery reportedly told his son that he would not receive a penny of his fortune. Connery's former wife, Diane Cilento, revealed the news.

31 / 32 Fotos

Bizarre cases of celebrity wills and last requests

The craziest final requests

13/12/24 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Celebrity deaths

Everyone has a dying wish. For many, that means managing money beyond the grave. Wills are pretty important, and it's good to ensure you pass something on to your loved ones. That said, many celebs have unusual wills and final requests...

Click on to read the strangest celebrity wills and dying wishes.