Published on: 17th March 2025

Even the Rich & Famous Don't Make Wills!

The term intestate refers to a person who passes away without having made a valid Will, which typically leads to the state determining how their assets are distributed. While many people assume that famous individuals, given their wealth and the complexity of their estates, would certainly have prepared for the future with clear estate plans, several high-profile figures have died intestate, leading to legal battles and complications regarding their estates.

One notable case is that of legendary rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix, who died in 1970 at the age of just 27. Hendrix left no will and his estate was complicated, as he had no surviving spouse, and his father, Al Hendrix, was the legal beneficiary of his estate. However, disputes arose over the control of his estate, leading to years of litigation among family members. In the end, the estate was largely controlled by his father, and later by his half-siblings after his father's death, but not before much legal wrangling. The lack of a Will also delayed the distribution of Hendrix’s assets, including music royalties and rights to his music.

Another famous individual who died intestate is, incredibly, the 16^th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. Although Lincoln was well known for his leadership during the Civil War, he did not have a formal Will at the time of his assassination in 1865. His estate was eventually divided among his surviving family members, including his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, and their children. However, without a Will to provide specific instructions, the process of dividing his estate was left to the courts, and complications arose in how certain assets were handled, particularly regarding real estate.

One of the most influential artists of the 20th century, Pablo Picasso, died intestate in 1973. With a vast fortune and numerous works of art, Picasso’s estate became a complicated matter. His assets included paintings, sculptures and numerous properties. Upon his death, the absence of a Will meant that Picasso’s fortune was divided among his surviving family members. Legal disputes arose over his estate which continued for years, exacerbated by the fact that Picasso had multiple children from different marriages. Unsurprisingly, the rights to Picasso’s works were hotly contested by various heirs.

Other public figures who died intestate are;

• Bob Marley – Jamaican singer and songwriter.
  
  
• Robert Burns – Scottish poet, who famously wrote Auld Lang Syne.
  
  
• Howard Hughes – Entrepreneur and one of the world’s richest men when he died.
  
  
• Prince – US music superstar.
  
  
• Martin Luther King – Civil Rights Leader.
  
  
• Michael Jackson – The “King of Pop”.
  
  
• Aretha Franklin – Singer.

The cases of these famous figures whose families were left to deal with their intestacies underscores the importance of having a Will in place. Regardless of one's wealth or fame, dying intestate can lead to legal complications, family disputes and delays in the distribution of assets. Whilst these high-profile cases were resolved eventually and at great financial and emotional cost, they serve as a warning for anyone, famous or not, to plan ahead!

If you would like to speak with one of our Consultants to discuss any of the issues raised in this article or any other estate planning topic please telephone 01732 868190 or click here.

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