Shocking details in celebrities' last wills

Anna Nicole Smith was an American model, actress, and TV personality who launched to fame after winning the 1993 Play mate of the Year title. Smith was married to billionaire Howard Marshall and, although she was not in Marshall’s Will, she claimed that he verbally promised her half of his estate which primarily consisted of a 16% interest in Koch Industries. Smith’s stepson E. Peirce Marshall disputed the claim.

After fights over defamation and bankruptcy, the two died before the case was ever closed. Anna left everything to her son who also died and never mentioned her daughter Danielynn. There was a custody battle, but eventually, the father was determined and it is now up to him to reopen the case of Marshall’s will to claim the estate for his daughter.

Actor Bruce Willis announced his retirement after he was diagnosed with aphasia, a disease related to brain damage. He had to start looking towards the future and what to do with his fortune as his ability to speak is becoming affected by the illness.

Willis had a great relationship with his ex-wife, Demi Moore and had three children with her. Radar Online leaked the news that Willis had left Moore out from his Will and would give his daughters with her ‘only’ a million each. The argument was that mom already earned enough to sustain them for their lives.

Bob Marley died in 1981, but decades after his death, his will is still being contested. Or... the complete lack of a will.

Among those fighting over a piece of his estate are his widow, Rita, his dozen children, various grandchildren, bandmates, musicians, business associates, and scam artists. All wanted a piece of his $30 million estate with his widow, Rita, taking control until she was found guilty of forging documents.

South Africa’s first black president, Nelson Mandela, died at 95 with his third wife, Graça Machel at his bedside. But his ex-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, was also there. She had been by his side for 38 years during the struggle against racial apartheid. But she was not in his will.

Mandela had left out his ex-wife completely in his last will and testament. He also excluded his eldest granddaughter whom he had lent money to in his lifetime. Among those in his will were his other grandchildren and stepchildren, as well as nine members of his staff.

According to Forbes, Winfrey's net worth is estimated to be $2.5 billion. Of course, Winfrey is prepared for the moment it is to be passed on. A source told the Australian magazine Woman's Day that “[Oprah] has set up a trust fund to care for her ‘babies’ when she dies.” But she doesn’t have any children…

Oprah Winfrey's dogs, Sadie, Sunny, and Lauren are happily benefactors of the large estate which will be left by the entrepreneur. These pooches are set to inherit a cumulative $30 million dollars if she passes.

Houdini passed away at 52, not from his death-defying acts but from a ruptured appendix. In his will, he left his money to his assistants, magician societies, and those members of his family who “have been confirmed according to the Jewish law and traditions.” But that isn’t the strangest thing on this performer’s will.

According to Morris Hall law firm, Houdini left his wife a secret code consisting of ten words chosen at random.  She was told in his will to perform a séance regularly until she was able to contact him. She held annual séances on Halloween for 10 years after his death and no one knows if she ever heard him speak back to her.

The late actor and comedian is missed by many, especially those family members who were left behind. However, his widow Susan Schneider-Williams and his three children became engaged in a contentious legal dispute over his estate valued at around $50 million USD.

The trust stated that Susan could reside in the couple’s home in Tiburon, California as well as receive its contents. Susan asked the court for clarification as to what ‘memorabilia’ and ‘jewelry’ consisted of, while the children described her as “seeking to increase her share of the trust assets at the expense of the Williams children.” It was a messy, costly battle that ended with both parties finally satisfied after coming to an agreement.

Star Trek’s creator, Gene Roddenberry, died in 1991 with an estimated $500 million to his name. According to an article by the University of Michigan’s Law Review, Roddenberry’s will stated that the majority of his fortune would be placed in a trust for his second wife, Majel Barrett and each of his children would receive a payment of $500,000.
Simple? Not quite.

Roddenberry also included an uncommon clause in his will which stated that anyone who contested the terms of the will, in any way, would forfeit their inheritance. His first daughter, Dawn, presented evidence that her stepmother, Barrett, had forced her father into writing his will. In return, Barrett enforced the clause and won, disinheriting her late husband’s daughter and all her inheritance.

The legendary rock star passed away in 1991, at 45, of an AIDS-related illness. He left behind the band Queen and a legacy of fashion and freedom. He also left the bulk of his fortune to his former girlfriend and lifelong best friend: Mary Austin. His boyfriend at the time of his death, Jim Hutton got much less: £500,000.

Mercury left Austin his £25 million home in the London district of Kensington. Austin still lives there to this day. As the Daily Star reports, Austin was also left half of Mercury’s £75 million estate, which means access to half of all of Mercury’s future earnings in recording royalties, including music from Queen and his solo work. Greg Brooks, Queen’s official archivist, quoted Mercury as saying “If I go first, I’m going to leave everything to her… Nobody else gets a penny.”

No one can forget the star of the Andy Hardy films and Hollywood’s highest paid actor in the late 1930s and early 1940s. But now you will also remember his will.

Rooney died in April 2014 and his will disinherited his biological children. His stepson and caretaker, Mark Aber, will receive some of the proceeds of the estate.

Swayze was a real heartthrob and King of the movies in the 1980s and 90s, starring in such films as 'Dirty Dancing,' 'Ghost,' and 'Point Break.'

A war erupted between Patrick Swayze’s ex-wife Lisa Niemi and the actor’s relatives after she was awarded his entire $40 million fortune. As if that wasn’t bad enough, she went on to upset the family by selling off his objects and refusing to tell the family where she had scattered his ashes.

It depends on what generation you are, as to how you know Bruce Forsyth. A true national treasure and host of such shows as 'The Generation Game,' 'Play Your Cards Right' and 'Strictly Come Dancing.'

Despite claims that his kids were to receive nothing, it was said he made provisions for his nine grandchildren.
It was reported they would each inherit £100,000, which was left in a trust fund to be split nine ways after they turn 21.

The legendary actress was very young when she died, but still managed to make a will. She died from an overdose of sleeping pills, with a net worth of $800,000 (now about $7 million). Monroe left 75% of her property to her acting coach, Lee Strasberg, and his wife, Paula Strasberg, who had been like surrogate parents to her. But what happened when they died?

Paula Strasberg died and Lee married 28-year-old actress Anna Mizrahi who then became the owner of Monroe’s estate on his death. She signed countless deals for products and endorsements, using the Monroe name, grossing more than $7.5 million in licensing revenue. She eventually sold her stake for around $30 million. And she never even knew Marilyn Monroe.