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(#20) Barry White
- Dec. at 59 (1944-2003)
The family of Barry White found themselves locked in a feud over his outdated and, thus, contested will after he passed in 2003. The deep-voiced singer left behind two ex-wives, nine children, and one long-term partner.
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(#15) Billie Holiday
- Dec. at 44 (1915-1959)
Today, her estate is worth an estimated $14 million, but when Billie Holiday passed without a will in 1959, she had less than $1,000 to her name. Holiday passed intestate under New York law, allowing her estranged (but not divorced) husband, Louis McKay, to inherit her entire estate, including royalties.
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(#19) Sonny Bono
- Dec. at 63 (1935-1998)
After Sonny Bono passed without a will in 1998, a man surfaced claiming to be his illegitimate son. However, DNA testing proved the man not to be Bono's child, and his estate was divided between his widow Mary Bono and his two children.
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(#7) Amy Winehouse
- Dec. at 28 (1983-2011)
Amy Winehouse perished without a valid will stating what to do with her $6.7 million estate. Her assets went to her closest living relatives: her parents, Mitch and Janis.
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(#27) Roger Lloyd-Pack
- Dec. at 70 (1944-2014)
Actor Roger Lloyd-Pack did not leave a will, but his assets were divided among his wife and four children. His family had to pay an inheritance tax because a will wasn't in order.
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(#1) Aretha Franklin
- 76
The Queen of Soul left no will when she passed on August 16, 2018, at the age of 76. According to Detroit Free Press, her four sons filed a document at the Oakland County Probate Court, calling themselves interested parties concerning her massive estate, estimated to be worth $80 million.
Michigan law dictates the estate of an unmarried person must be divided equally between the deceased's children. Her decision to leave no official will may have song collaborators and distant relatives fighting for a piece of the inheritance. Franklin also had a history of debts, so creditors could come after the estate as well.
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About This Tool
Although not all celebrities are the owners of a large business empire, their assets often have significant value. Their works, portraits, or personal assets will continue to generate considerable income after their deaths. But it will be a tough task to continue to increase monetary value to these assets, and the absence of a will make all matters more complicated. Without a will may lead to long-term creditors or family members who desire all of their wealth to start a long-term legal battle over their inheritance.
The random tool lists 28 celebrities in history who died without a will. It is true that no one can predict their own death. Perhaps these celebrities are not ready to make a will, but the tragedies caused them to die prematurely and leave a huge amount of wealth.
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