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Music and sport

Musicians and athletes whose wills, trusts, song catalogues and team shares went to court.

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AI illustration: An empty 1970s Las Vegas showroom stage before the show, a microphone in the spotlight
Illustration made with AI for celebrity.estate.

What do the music and sport estate cases show?

A trust can keep a will private, but the people hired to guard the estate can still become its first litigants. A will that pours everything into a private trust keeps the shares out of the public file, but the executors' fees and payments still need court approval and any beneficiary can object to them.

Stories
182
Years
1741 to 2026
Main regions
North America, Europe, Latin America
Legal traditions
Common law, Civil law
Updated
30 October 2026

Every case in music and sport, best-known first

Best-known first: cases from 1900 on, then the United States, then Europe, and the people most read about on English Wikipedia each month. Fiction, scripture and legend come last.

Dolly Parton: Publicity shot of American singer Dolly Parton, 19772026 · Nashville, TennesseeDolly Parton's estate company sued her nephew and former security chief one month after her death, alleging threats to ruin her brandDolly Parton died in Nashville on 25 August 2026, aged 80. Her husband, Carl Dean, had died in March 2025. They had no children.wbur.org and 5 moreMichael Jackson: Michael Jackson 1983 (3x4 cropped) (contrast)2009 · Los Angeles, California, USAMichael Jackson's estate put its value at $5.1 million, the Tax Court set $111.5 million, and a judge later ordered $625,000 in bonuses returnedMichael Jackson died on 25 June 2009, aged 50, of acute propofol intoxication; the Los Angeles County coroner ruled it a homicide.abcnews.com and 8 moreMichael Jackson: Michael Jackson 1983 (3x4 cropped) (contrast)2009 · Los Angeles, California, USAMichael Jackson's companies face abuse suits from Wade Robson and James Safechuck, revived on appeal in 2023 and set for trial in 2028Wade Robson testified for Michael Jackson at his 2005 child molestation trial, at which a California jury acquitted Jackson. After Jackson's death on 25 June 2009, Robson sued in 2013 and James Safechuck in 2014.The Guardian and 6 moreElvis Presley promoting Jailhouse Rock: A photograph promoting the film Jailhouse Rock depicts singer Elvis Presley.1977 · Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee, USAElvis Presley's probate judge ruled that Colonel Parker's 50 percent share "shocks the conscience of the court" and ordered the estate to sue himElvis Presley died at Graceland, his house in Memphis, on 16 August 1977, aged 42.CourtListener and 10 moreLisa Marie Presley: Lisa Marie Presley (cropped)2023 · West Hills, Los Angeles, California, USALisa Marie Presley's mother contested her trust, then resigned as trustee in exchange for $1 million and a grave near Elvis at GracelandIn February 2018 Lisa Marie Presley sued her former business manager, Barry Siegel, in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging that her $100 million trust had fallen to $14,000 in cash by 2016; he countersued for $800,000 and blamed…unicourt.com and 10 moreLisa Marie Presley: Lisa Marie Presley (cropped)2023 · Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee, USALisa Marie Presley's trust was told it owed $3.8 million on Graceland, and the Missouri woman who forged the loan got 57 months in prisonLisa Marie Presley died on 12 January 2023. Graceland, which she owned, was held in her trust, and her daughter Riley Keough became sole trustee that year.justice.gov and 5 morePrince at Coachella 001: Prince performing at Coachella 2008.2016 · Paisley Park, Chanhassen, Minnesota, USAPrince died without a will, more than 45 people claimed to be his relatives, and his estate took 6 years and a tax court case to dividePrince was found unresponsive in an elevator at Paisley Park in Chanhassen, Minnesota, on 21 April 2016, aged 57. An autopsy found fentanyl toxicity. He left no will, spouse or children.nbcwashington.com and 16 moreTupac Shakur: Tupac Shakur in 19951996 · Las Vegas, Nevada, USATupac Shakur's estate forced Drake to delete a song that used an AI copy of Tupac's voiceOn 19 April 2024, during his feud with Kendrick Lamar, Drake released "Taylor Made Freestyle." Its first verse used an AI-generated copy of Tupac Shakur's voice and its second an AI copy of Snoop Dogg's.NBC News and 2 moreDavid Bowie: Singer-songwriter David Bowie in Chicago during the Heathen Tour, 2002.2016 · New York CityDavid Bowie was cremated two days after he died with no one present, and his will asked for his ashes to go to BaliDavid Bowie signed his will on 25 August 2004 under his legal name, David Robert Jones. It was filed in Manhattan Surrogate's Court on 29 January 2016. Reports valued the estate at about $100 million; one report said $230 million.ultimateclassicrock.com and 4 moreBob Dylan: Bob Dylan - Nowlan Park, Kilkenny - Sunday 14th July 20192021 · New YorkThe widow of Bob Dylan's "Hurricane" co-writer sued for a share of his $300 million song sale and lost twiceJacques Levy, a theater director, co-wrote "Hurricane," "Isis" and eight other songs on Dylan's 1976 album Desire. He died in 2004.nycourts.gov and 3 moreJohn Lennon: John Lennon, cropped photograph taken by Jack Mitchell for the New York Times, November 2, 1980.1980 · New York CityJohn Lennon's will left everything to a trust run by Yoko Ono, and his son Julian sued for 16 yearsJohn Lennon signed his will on 12 November 1979. It named his wife, Yoko Ono, executor and left the residue of his estate to trustees under a trust agreement signed the same day, with Ono and Eli Garber as trustees.beatlesbible.com and 3 moreJohn Lennon 1969 (cropped): Collectie / Archief : Fotocollectie Anefo Reportage / Serie : [ onbekend ] Beschrijving : John Lennon en echtgenote Yoko Ono vertrekken van Schiphol naa1980 · The Dakota, New York City, New York, USAJohn Lennon's diaries and watch were stolen from Yoko Ono's home and taken to Berlin; Switzerland's top court ruled the watch hers in 2024Mark David Chapman shot John Lennon outside the Dakota, his New York apartment building, on 8 December 1980. Lennon was 40.bger.ch and 10 moreHarry Belafonte: Harry Belafonte at the Vanity Fair party celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Tribeca Film Festival.2023 · New York, New YorkHarry Belafonte tried to sell Martin Luther King Jr.'s papers, King's children said they were wrongfully taken, and Belafonte sued them and kept the papersHarry Belafonte was a close supporter of Martin Luther King Jr. and joined his strategy meetings in the 1960s.upr.org and 3 moreKobe Bryant: Kobe Bryant Dec 20142020 · Calabasas, CaliforniaDeputies and firefighters shared photos of Kobe Bryant's remains, and his widow won $28.85 million from Los Angeles CountyKobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others died when their helicopter hit a hillside in fog.etonline.com and 2 moreMuhammad Ali: Muhammad Ali NYWTS2016 · Scottsdale, Arizona, USAMuhammad Ali's company sued Fox for more than $30 million over a 3-minute Super Bowl LI promotional video using his image, and Fox settledMuhammad Ali was taken to hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona, with a respiratory illness on 2 June 2016 and died the next day, aged 74.rightofpublicityroadmap.com and 5 moreBritney Spears: Britney Spears live in Toronto in August 14, 2011.2008 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaBritney Spears's father ran her money for 13 years on $16,000 a month, a judge removed him, and she paid to end the fightIn 2008 a Los Angeles Superior Court judge placed Britney Spears under a conservatorship. Her father, Jamie Spears, controlled her estate for most of the next 13 years while she recorded albums and played a Las Vegas residency.NPR and 4 moreFrank Sinatra: Frank Sinatra (1957 studio portrait close-up)1998 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaFrank Sinatra's will disinherited any family member who challenged it, listing 13 forbidden legal actionsFrank Sinatra's fourth wife, Barbara, and his three children from his first marriage, Nancy, Frank Jr. and Tina, had a long and public rift. His will anticipated a court fight.Deseret News and 2 moreGeorge Harrison: George Harrison in the Oval Office during the Ford administration.2001 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaGeorge Harrison's estate sued his cancer doctor for making him sign a guitar two weeks before he diedGeorge Harrison died of cancer at 58. High Court probate papers released on the first anniversary of his death showed a British estate of £99,226,700, reduced to £98,916,400 after expenses.foxnews.com and 4 moreChris Cornell: ChrisCornellTIFFSept20112017 · Detroit, MichiganChris Cornell's widow sued Soundgarden over his last seven recordings and called their $278,000 buyout offer "villainously low"Chris Cornell recorded seven songs at his Miami Beach home studio in the months before he died. His widow, Vicky Cornell, said they were his solo work.loudwire.com and 4 moreKurt Cobain: Nirvana around 1992 (cropped)1994 · Seattle, WashingtonKurt Cobain left no will; his widow sued his bandmates for Nirvana, sold a quarter of his songs, and his Unplugged guitar went to his daughter's ex-husbandKurt Cobain shot himself above the garage of his $1.1 million Lake Washington home. Papers filed in King County Superior Court said he apparently left no will.The Seattle Times and 7 moreChester Bennington: ARGO-Konzerte,Centerstage,Chester Bennington,Konzert,Linkin Park,Livekonzert,Livemusik,Musik,RiP,Rock im Park 20142017 · Palos Verdes Estates, CaliforniaChester Bennington left everything to his widow and six children, and his first wife's claim took half of his Linkin Park royaltiesChester Bennington died by suicide at 41, two months after the death of his friend Chris Cornell.loudwire.com and 4 moreJohnny Cash: Johnny Cash in a 1979 publicity photo for the CBS Television program The Johnny Cash Spring Special2003 · Nashville, TennesseeJohnny Cash's trust sued Coca-Cola for using a tribute singer who sounds like himJohnny Cash's publicity rights belong to the John R. Cash Revocable Trust. In August 2025 Coca-Cola began airing "Go the Distance," an ad in its college football campaign.fox10phoenix.com and 2 moreBob Marley: Bob Marley circa 1976 (cropped)1981 · Cedars of Lebanon Hospital, MiamiBob Marley died without a will, and his widow forged his signature to move his companies into her nameBob Marley died of cancer at 36. He left no will, a wife, Rita, and 11 children by several women. Under Jamaican intestacy law Rita received 10 percent outright and a life interest in 45 percent; the 11 children shared the rest.FindLaw Caselaw and 3 moreThe Notorious B.I.G.: Image of the Notorious BIG in NY1997 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaThe Notorious B.I.G.'s mother and widow co-owned his catalog; after the mother died, her trustee sued the widow and wonChristopher Wallace was shot dead in Los Angeles at 24. He left no will. His mother, Voletta Wallace, and his widow, Faith Evans, took charge of his legacy.thegrio.com and 5 moreWillie Nelson: Willie Nelson and his guitar "Trigger"1990 · Austin and Dripping Springs, TexasThe IRS seized Willie Nelson's ranch, studio and guitars over a $16.7 million tax bill, and fans bought them backIn the early 1980s Willie Nelson put money into tax shelters promoted by his accounting firm, Price Waterhouse. The IRS began examining his returns in 1984 and disallowed the deductions.UPI and 3 moreAaron Hernandez2017 · Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center, Lancaster, MassachusetAaron Hernandez's suicide wiped out his murder conviction, and two years later the state's top court put it backFormer Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was serving life for the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd. Five days after he was acquitted of a separate double homicide, he was found hanged in his cell. He was 27.insurancejournal.com and 1 moreAretha Franklin 1968: Publicity photo of Aretha Franklin from Billboard, 17 February 1968. The uploaded photo is a better quality copy of the image shown in the ad. There are no co2018 · Detroit, Michigan, USAAretha Franklin's 2014 will was found in a notebook under her couch cushions, a jury upheld it in 2023, and her estate was still open in 2026Aretha Franklin died of pancreatic cancer on 16 August 2018, aged 76. Lawyers and family said she left no will or trust.wdet.org and 8 moreLynyrd Skynyrd: Lynyrd Skynyrd (1977)1977 · Gillsburg, MississippiLynyrd Skynyrd's widows and survivors used a 1988 court order to block a film about the plane crash, and lost on appealA chartered plane carrying Lynyrd Skynyrd ran out of fuel and crashed in a Mississippi swamp. Singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and backing singer Cassie Gaines died.The Hollywood Reporter and 1 moreCourtney Love: CourtLoveRoyalGeo040325 (49 of 54) (crop)1994 · Seattle, WashingtonA court removed 17-year-old Frances Bean Cobain from Courtney Love's care, and she took control of her father's imageKurt Cobain died by suicide in Seattle at 27. His daughter Frances Bean was 20 months old. Her mother, Courtney Love, managed the estate. In 2006 Love sold a 25 percent share of Cobain's Nirvana publishing to Primary Wave.usatoday30.usatoday.com and 2 moreMarvin Gaye: Marvin Gaye in 19731984 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaMarvin Gaye was shot dead by his father, left no will and $9 million in debt, and his children won the "Blurred Lines" caseMarvin Gaye was shot by his father, Marvin Gay Sr., at the family home in Los Angeles the day before his 45th birthday. His father pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter and received a suspended sentence and probation.investmentnews.com and 2 moreLayne Staley: Layne Staley July 2, 19892002 · Seattle, WashingtonLayne Staley's mother was paid his Alice in Chains share for ten years, then sued his bandmates when they ended itLayne Staley died of heroin use in his Seattle home at 34. His body was not found until 20 April 2002, about two weeks later. His mother, Nancy McCallum, became the person who collected his share of Alice in Chains income.blabbermouth.net and 3 moreTom Petty: Tom Petty Live in Horsens (cropped2)2017 · Santa Monica, CaliforniaTom Petty's daughters sued his widow for $5 million over control of his musicTom Petty died of an accidental overdose a week after finishing a 40th-anniversary tour. His widow, Dana York Petty, his second wife, whom he married in 2001, became trustee of his estate.Rolling Stone and 2 morePhil Spector: From Rock and Roll hall of Fame after party... March 6, 2000 N.Y.C. Copyright John Mathew Smith2021 · California prison hospitalPhil Spector died in prison serving a murder sentence; his daughter sued his ex-wife, alleging she posed as the daughter to sell his memorabiliaPhil Spector was convicted in 2009 of the second-degree murder of actress Lana Clarkson and sentenced to 19 years to life. He died in custody at 81; his daughter Nicole said the cause was Covid-19.theblast.com and 6 moreJanis Joplin: Janis Joplin 19701970 · Landmark Motor Hotel, Los Angeles, CaliforniaJanis Joplin changed her will two days before she died and left $2,500 for her friends to throw a partyJanis Joplin was 27. Her road manager, John Byrne Cooke, found her in her hotel room after she missed a recording session. County coroner Thomas Noguchi ruled her death an accidental overdose of heroin compounded by alcohol.ultimateclassicrock.com and 4 moreJoni Mitchell: Joni Mitchell 2021 Kennedy Center Honors (cropped)2015 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaJoni Mitchell's friend told a court the singer was unconscious while her website said she was alert, and won control of her medical careJoni Mitchell was found unconscious at her Los Angeles home and hospitalized on 31 March 2015 after a brain aneurysm. She had no family member able to act for her.bostonglobe.com and 2 moreFreddie Mercury: Freddie Mercury performing in New Haven, CT, November 19771991 · Garden Lodge, Kensington, LondonFreddie Mercury left his house and half his fortune to his ex-girlfriend, who buried his ashes in a place only she knowsFreddie Mercury died of AIDS-related pneumonia at 45. His estate was valued at about £8 million. His will left Garden Lodge, its mews and 50 percent of his privately held shares to Mary Austin, his girlfriend in the 1970s.The Independent and 1 moreBrian Wilson: Legendary musician and songwriter, Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, in Santa Monica, California in 1990. Photograph by Ithaka Darin Pappas2025 · CaliforniaBrian Wilson was placed in a conservatorship after his wife died, while his first wife sued for half of a $50 million rights saleIn December 2021 Brian Wilson sold his songwriter share and his copyright termination interests to Universal Music Publishing Group in a deal valued at more than $50 million. The termination interest alone sold for $19.2 million.digitalmusicnews.com and 4 moreRay Charles: Ray Charles classic piano pose2004 · Beverly Hills, CaliforniaRay Charles gave each of his 12 children $500,000 and left the rest to a foundation; seven of them moved to take back his songsRay Charles had 12 children by several women. Before he died, he gave each child $500,000 in trust.leagle.com and 3 moreFrank Zappa: Zappa 16011977 01 3001993 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaGail Zappa left two of her children control of Frank Zappa's estate, and Dweezil was told he could not use his own surname for his bandFrank Zappa died of prostate cancer in 1993 and left his estate to his wife, Gail, who ran it through the Zappa Family Trust. Gail died in 2015.Rolling Stone and 2 moreMiles Davis: Miles Davis by Palumbo cropped1991 · St. John's Hospital, Santa Monica, CaliforniaMiles Davis's will left nothing to two of his sons, and the eldest wrote a book blaming his aunt and sisterMiles Davis died at 65 of pneumonia, respiratory failure and a stroke. He was survived by his daughter Cheryl and his sons Gregory, Miles IV and Erin.digital.bentley.umich.edu and 6 moreJames Brown: James Brown 1996 (HQ)2006 · Atlanta, GeorgiaJames Brown left his fortune to educate poor children, and 15 years of lawsuits came before the estate sold for about $90 millionJames Brown died of pneumonia in Atlanta at 73. His will, signed in 2000, put his music and name rights into the "I Feel Good Trust" to pay for the education of needy children in South Carolina and Georgia.ABA Journal and 3 moreNipsey Hussle: Soundtrack Beat Battle Judging Panel March2011 (cropped)2019 · Los Angeles, California, USANipsey Hussle was shot dead outside his store, and his family took guardianship of his daughter from her motherNipsey Hussle, born Ermias Asghedom, was shot dead in the parking lot of his store in South Los Angeles. He left no will but had set up trusts for his two children, daughter Emani and son Kross.okayplayer.com and 3 moreSammy Davis Jr.: Sammy Davis Jr. 19721990 · Beverly Hills, CaliforniaSammy Davis Jr. died owing the IRS about $7 million, and his widow lost the rights to his name and musicSammy Davis Jr. died of throat cancer at his Beverly Hills home in May 1990, aged 64. He was impoverished and deeply in debt to the IRS. The tax liabilities against his estate came to about $7 million.Deseret News and 6 morePaul Allen: Paul G. Allen (cropped)2018 · Seattle, Washington, USAPaul Allen's will ordered his teams sold, and his sister sold the Trail Blazers for about $4 billionPaul Allen co-founded Microsoft and owned the Seattle Seahawks and the Portland Trail Blazers. He never married and had no children. His will required that his teams eventually be sold and the proceeds go to philanthropy.Internet Archive and 3 moreSid Vicious: Sid Vicious 1978 (cropped)1979 · 63 Bank Street, Greenwich Village, New YorkSid Vicious asked to be buried beside Nancy Spungen; her mother said no, and his mother scattered his ashes on the grave anywaySid Vicious, born Simon John Ritchie, was charged with murdering his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, who was found stabbed at the Chelsea Hotel in October 1978. Virgin Records paid his legal fees.The Independent and 3 moreLeonard Cohen: Leonard Cohen, 1988 012016 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaLeonard Cohen's manager emptied his retirement fund, and after his death his children found a forged page in his trustKelley Lynch was Leonard Cohen's manager for almost 17 years, from 1988. While he lived at a Zen monastery, his retirement savings of more than $5 million fell to about $150,000.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca and 5 moreSonny Bono: Sonny Bono1998 · Heavenly Mountain Resort, South Lake Tahoe, California, USASonny Bono's widow used a 2016 copyright termination notice to stop paying Cher her half of his song royalties, and a federal judge ruled for CherSonny Bono died on 5 January 1998, aged 62, after hitting a tree while skiing at Heavenly Mountain Resort in South Lake Tahoe.CourtListener and 15 moreJim Croce: Jim Croce publicity portrait ABC Records (cropped)1973 · Natchitoches, LouisianaJim Croce's widow sued his producers and their lawyer over the contracts he signed in 1968, and won only against the lawyerOn 17 September 1968 Jim and Ingrid Croce signed three contracts with companies run by Terry Cashman, Tommy West and the lawyer Philip Kurnit: a recording contract, a publishing contract and a personal management contract.quimbee.com and 2 moreScott Weiland: Scott Weiland onstage with a mic--2009-072015 · Bloomington, MinnesotaScott Weiland's 2007 will made his ex-wife executor over his widow, and she spent years settling his tax liens and lawsuitsScott Weiland died on his tour bus at 48 from an overdose of cocaine, alcohol and MDA. He had a will signed in 2007, the year he divorced Mary Forsberg.lanacion.com.ar and 5 moreDonna Summer: Donna Summer in 19822012 · Naples, FloridaDonna Summer's estate refused Kanye West permission to use "I Feel Love," sued when he used it anyway, and made him agree never to distribute the songDonna Summer died of cancer in 2012 at 63. Her husband, Bruce Sudano, became executor and controls her catalog. Before the album came out, Kanye West asked to use "I Feel Love," the 1977 track Summer recorded with Giorgio Moroder.thegrio.com and 3 moreDale Earnhardt: Dale Earnhardt visits Langley AFB2001 · Daytona International Speedway, FloridaDale Earnhardt's widow got Florida to seal his autopsy photos, and 18 states copied the lawDale Earnhardt, seven-time NASCAR champion, died in a last-lap crash at the Daytona 500. His autopsy photographs were public records under Florida law, and newspapers sought them.NBC News and 3 moreElliott Smith: Elliott Smith2003 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaElliott Smith's partner sued his estate for lifetime support, and a talent-agent law voided their whole agreementElliott Smith died at 34 of a stab wound to the chest in the home he shared with Jennifer Chiba. The coroner's report said some findings were "atypical of suicide" and raised the possibility of homicide.dir.ca.gov and 2 moreStevie Ray Vaughan: Stevie Ray Vaughan Live 19831990 · East Troy, WisconsinStevie Ray Vaughan's mother and brother sued the helicopter company; his fiancée was left out of the estate, and thieves later took his belongings from Jimmie's storage unitAfter an Alpine Valley concert with Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan took the last seat on the third of four Omniflight helicopters. His brother, Jimmie, was meant to fly. The Bell 206B left in fog at 1 a.m.orlandosentinel.com and 4 moreLouis Armstrong: Louis Armstrong in Color (restored)1971 · Queens, New YorkLouis Armstrong's will said he had no children, his widow's nieces contested her will, and his letter called a girl born in 1955 his "Little Satchmo"Louis Armstrong left $5,000 each to his sister and his cousin and the rest to his widow, Lucille.wealthmanagement.com and 3 moreSam Cooke: Sam Cooke 21964 · Hacienda Motel, Los AngelesSam Cooke was shot by a motel manager who then sued his estate, and his manager's company already owned his recordingsSam Cooke was shot in the chest at the Hacienda Motel in South Los Angeles. Manager Bertha Franklin said he forced his way into her office and grabbed her.Internet Archive and 2 moreJimmy Buffett navy (cropped): Jimmy Buffett navy (cropped)2023 · Sag Harbor, New York, USAJimmy Buffett left his widow a $275 million trust with his accountant as co-trustee, and each has asked a court to remove the otherJimmy Buffett died at his home in Sag Harbor, New York, on 1 September 2023, aged 76.cdn.theconversation.com and 8 moreJerry Lee Lewis: Jerry Lee Lewis publicity photo, 1950s2022 · Nesbit, MississippiJerry Lee Lewis put his ranch in his manager's name to hide it from the IRS; after he died, a judge ordered his son out and the manager's heirs listed it for $1.6 millionJerry Lee Lewis died at 87 at the Lewis Ranch, a 30-acre property in Nesbit, south of Memphis.savingcountrymusic.com and 4 moreJerry Garcia: Jerry-Garcia-01cropped1995 · Serenity Knolls treatment center, Forest Knolls, CaliforniaJerry Garcia's widow barred his ex-wives from his funeral and stopped paying his $5 million divorce settlementJerry Garcia died of a heart attack at a drug treatment center. His third wife, filmmaker Deborah Koons, whom he had married in 1994, became co-executor. At the funeral on 12 August 1995 she barred two of his former wives.us.cnn.com and 3 moreRicky Nelson: Decca Records Rick Nelson 19661985 · De Kalb, TexasRicky Nelson died in a plane fire owing money; his ex-wife tried to take over the estate, lost, then fought her brother Mark Harmon for custody of their sonRick Nelson and his fiancée Helen Blair died when his DC-3 caught fire and crashed in Texas. He was 45.UPI and 4 moreLittle Richard: Little Richard performing at the University of Texas Forty Acres Festival in 2007.2020 · Tullahoma, TennesseeLittle Richard's brother emailed the buyer about elder abuse and racism, the buyer withdrew its offer for the estate's rights, and the court took away his shareRichard Wayne Penniman died at 87.tncourts.gov and 2 moreGlenn Frey: Glenn Frey circa 19752016 · New York, New YorkGlenn Frey's widow sued Mount Sinai for his death and was ordered to hand over the Eagles' contractsGlenn Frey died at 67 of complications from rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis and pneumonia.law.justia.com and 5 moreJudy Garland: Judy Garland publicity photo1969 · Cadogan Lane, Belgravia, LondonJudy Garland's fifth husband buried her in New York; 48 years later her children moved her to HollywoodJudy Garland died at 47 of an accidental barbiturate overdose, three months after marrying nightclub manager Mickey Deans.CBS News and 3 moreHank Williams: Hank Williams Promotional Photo1953 · Oak Hill, West VirginiaHank Williams' daughter was born five days after his death, made a ward of the state, and won half his estate 34 years laterHank Williams died in the back seat of his car at 29. Three months earlier he had signed an agreement giving him custody of the child Bobbie Jett was carrying. Antha Belle Jett was born in Montgomery on 6 January 1953.people.com and 2 moreXXXTentacion: Xxxtentacion (cropped)2018 · Deerfield Beach, FloridaXXXTentacion was shot dead at 20, and his son was born seven months later outside his willJahseh Onfroy, the rapper XXXTentacion, was shot dead outside a motorcycle dealership in Deerfield Beach, aged 20. The killers took $50,000 from him.nbcmiami.com and 2 moreDimebag Darrell: Dimebag at Monsters of Rock 19942004 · Columbus, OhioDimebag Darrell was shot dead on stage with no will; his girlfriend of two decades was left out, later took over his estate's trust, and lost most of its suit against Dean Guitars in 2026Darrell Abbott was shot on stage at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus during a Damageplan show. He left no will.blabbermouth.net and 4 moreEvel Knievel: Evel Knievel c1974cr2007 · Clearwater, Florida, USAEvel Knievel's family company sued Disney over Toy Story 4's Duke Caboom, and two federal courts held the toy daredevil transformed his likenessEvel Knievel died of lung disease in Clearwater, Florida, on 30 November 2007, aged 69.worldipreview.com and 7 moreGlen Campbell: Glen Campbell 19672017 · Nashville, TennesseeGlen Campbell's wills cut out three of his eight children, and they challenged his capacity after Alzheimer'sGlen Campbell, who sang "Rhinestone Cowboy," was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and died in 2017. His widow, Kimberly, filed a 2006 will naming herself executor. It left the estate to her and five of his eight children.newschannel5.com and 2 moreDennis Wilson: Dennis Wilson 1982 (portrait crop)1983 · Marina del Rey, CaliforniaDennis Wilson's estranged wife had him buried at sea with White House help, against his brother's plan to bury him beside their fatherDennis Wilson drowned at 39 while diving in the marina for objects he believed were on the bottom. His blood alcohol level was 0.26. He had lost his boat, the Harmony, had no car, and had been without a home for about a month.reaganlibrary.gov and 2 moreMichael Oher: Michael Oher 2016 (cropped)2023 · Memphis, Tennessee, USAMichael Oher of "The Blind Side" learned he was never adopted, and a judge ended the Tuohy conservatorshipMichael Oher played eight seasons in the NFL and his life became the film The Blind Side.today.com and 2 moreRick James: Rick James in Lifestyles of the Rich 19842004 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaRick James's trust was sued for $50 million by a woman who says he raped her at 15 in a Buffalo group homeRick James, born James Ambrose Johnson Jr. in Buffalo, died in Los Angeles in 2004 at 56. He is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo. His estate went on earning.btpm.org and 4 moreLil Peep: Lil-Peep PrettyPuke Photoshoot2017 · Tucson, Arizona (tour bus)Lil Peep's mother sued his management company for wrongful death and settled with control of his musicGustav Åhr, known as Lil Peep, died at 21 of an accidental overdose on his tour bus before a show in Tucson.foxla.com and 1 moreJim Thorpe: Jim Thorpe 1913b-cr1953 · Lomita, CaliforniaJim Thorpe's widow sold his body to two Pennsylvania towns, which renamed themselves after himJim Thorpe, a Sac and Fox citizen, won the pentathlon and decathlon at the 1912 Olympics. He died in California in 1953 and was due to be buried in Oklahoma.penntoday.upenn.edu and 3 moreLiberace: Liberace 18 Allan Warren1987 · The Cloisters, Palm Springs, CaliforniaLiberace's doctor signed a death certificate that hid AIDS; the coroner pulled his embalmed body back for an autopsyIn 1982 Scott Thorson, Liberace's former chauffeur and live-in companion, sued him for $113 million in what was reported as palimony. Liberace said under oath in 1984 that Thorson was never his lover.Los Angeles Times and 5 moreBillie Holiday: Portrait of Billie Holiday and Mister, Downbeat, New York, N.Y., ca. Feb. 1947 (LOC, 5020400274, cropped)1959 · Metropolitan Hospital, New YorkBillie Holiday died under arrest in a hospital bed with 70 cents in the bankBillie Holiday was admitted to Metropolitan Hospital on 31 May 1959 with cirrhosis and heart disease. Federal narcotics agents said they found heroin in her room, put her under arrest in her bed, and posted a police guard.legacy.com and 2 moreAmy Winehouse: Amy Winehouse f4962007 crop2011 · Camden, LondonAmy Winehouse's father sued her friends over $1.2 million from her dresses and lostAmy Winehouse died of alcohol poisoning at 27 without a will. Under English intestacy rules her parents inherited, and her father, Mitch Winehouse, became administrator of the estate.wtop.com and 2 morePatsy Cline: Patsy Cline promotional photograph, circa 1957.1963 · near Camden, Tennessee (plane crash)Patsy Cline's brother sued her sister over Patsy's stage clothes, and a judge ordered the dresses sold to pay the lawyerPatsy Cline was 30 when her plane went down in Tennessee. Her mother, Hilda Hensley, sewed many of her stage costumes and kept her clothing and papers in Winchester, Virginia. Hilda Hensley died around late 2000.oocities.org and 2 moreJohn Coltrane: Amerikaanse jazz-saxofonist John Coltrane op Schiphol aangekomen. John Coltrane1967 · Huntington, New YorkA cousin with only a life estate sold John Coltrane's Philadelphia house for $100,000, and his sons sued to take it backJohn Coltrane bought 1511 North 33rd Street in Philadelphia's Strawberry Mansion neighborhood in 1952. In 1958 he and his first wife, Naima, gave it to his mother, Alice Gertrude Coltrane. She died on 4 September 1977.inquirer.com and 2 moreHarry Nilsson: Trade ad for Harry Nilsson's single "Many Rivers To Cross".To better adapt it to his respective Wikipedia article, the ad was cropped and cleaned in a graphics editi1994 · Agoura Hills, CaliforniaHarry Nilsson's business manager stole his savings, and he died in Chapter 11 owing 75 creditorsHarry Nilsson was a millionaire before 30 and signed a $5 million record deal in the early 1970s, one of the largest of the time. He believed he was worth $5 million.The Seattle Times and 2 moreMichael Schumacher: Michael Schumacher, September 20052025 · Wuppertal, Germany (court); Gland, Switzerland (home)Michael Schumacher's family has kept his condition secret since 2013, and a former guard tried to sell his medical records for €15 millionMichael Schumacher suffered a head injury skiing in the French Alps in December 2013. Since then his wife, Corinna, has released almost no information about his health.bluewin.ch and 2 moreTony Bennett: Tony Bennett 20022023 · New YorkTony Bennett's daughters sued their brother, his manager and trustee, saying a man who earned $100 million left under $7 millionTony Bennett was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2016 and died in July 2023, at 96. His son Danny Bennett was his manager, held his power of attorney and became trustee of the family trust.news4jax.com and 3 moreNaomi Judd: Naomi Judd AHA (cropped)2022 · her home in TennesseeNaomi Judd's will named her husband executor, and her family sued to keep the police file on her death sealedNaomi Judd died by suicide at her Tennessee home on 30 April 2022, at 76. Her will, dated 20 November 2017, named her husband, Larry Strickland, as executor.NBC News and 5 moreBradley Nowell: Bradley Nowell, deceased lead singer of Long Beach rock group 'Sublime' is shown here at KROQ's Weenie Roast 1995. Friends and family recently held a concert to ben1996 · San Francisco, CaliforniaBradley Nowell had registered the name Sublime to himself, and his estate got a federal injunction against his own bandmatesBradley Nowell died of a heroin overdose at 28, two months before Sublime's major-label album came out. He had registered the trademark Sublime in his own name.news.pollstar.com and 4 moreIke Turner: Ike Turner 19712007 · San Marcos, CaliforniaIke Turner wrote two handwritten wills and revoked one; a judge found he died with no valid willLess than a week after Ike Turner died, his ex-wife Audrey Madison Turner filed a handwritten will he wrote in October 2007 naming her a beneficiary. They had married in October 2006; he filed for divorce two months later.sandiegouniontribune.com and 1 moreRandy Rhoads: RandyRhoads19801982 · Leesburg, FloridaRandy Rhoads's mother gave filmmakers his photos for a documentary that never came out, and an appeals court let them publish a book insteadRandy Rhoads was killed at 25 when a small plane carrying him clipped Ozzy Osbourne's tour bus and crashed. His mother, Delores Rhoads, and siblings Kathryn Rhoads D'Argenzio and Kelle Rhoads controlled his estate.blabbermouth.net and 4 moreGram Parsons1973 · Joshua Tree Inn, Yucca Valley, CaliforniaGram Parsons' road manager stole his body from Los Angeles airport and burned it in Joshua TreeGram Parsons died at 26 of a morphine and alcohol overdose at the Joshua Tree Inn. His stepfather, Bob Parsons, arranged a private burial in New Orleans.americansongwriter.com and 3 moreIsaac Hayes: Issac Hayes 19982008 · Memphis, TennesseeIsaac Hayes lost his song royalties to a bank in bankruptcy; his heirs took one song back and sued Donald Trump over itIn September 1974 Isaac Hayes sued Stax for $5.3 million in unpaid royalties. A three-way settlement freed him from Stax and gave Union Planters Bank the right to collect his royalties and apply them to his debts.tnwb.uscourts.gov and 4 moreTammy Wynette: Tammy Wynette 1977 (cropped)1998 · Nashville, TennesseeTammy Wynette's daughters sued her husband for $50 million, and her body was exhumed for an autopsyTammy Wynette died at 55 at her Nashville home. Her physician, Dr. Wallis Marsh, gave a blood clot as the cause. No autopsy was done. Her husband and manager, George Richey, controlled her affairs.mtv.com and 2 moreBarry White: Barry White, Bestanddeelnr 927-0098 (cropped)2003 · Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USABarry White never divorced the wife he separated from in 1988; she became his executor, and 2 of his children later sued her over stopped paymentsBarry White married Glodean James, a singer in his group Love Unlimited, in 1974. They reportedly separated in 1988 but stayed legally married.thegrio.com and 3 moreEtta James: Etta James042012 · Riverside Community Hospital, Riverside, CaliforniaEtta James's husband and her son fought in court over her $1 million while she was dying of leukemiaEtta James married Artis Mills in 1969. Mills spent several years in prison after taking sole blame for drugs in an arrest that also involved James.thegrio.com and 4 moreJuan Gabriel: Juan Gabriel in 1985 (cropped)2016 · Santa Monica, CaliforniaJuan Gabriel left everything to one son, and a man claiming to be another son asked a court for part of his remainsJuan Gabriel, born Alberto Aguilera Valadez, wrote more than 1,800 songs. He died of a heart attack in Santa Monica at 66. His son Iván Aguilera was named sole beneficiary.loeb.com and 2 moreTed Williams: Ted Williams (cropped)2002 · Inverness, Florida, USATed Williams's will asked for his ashes to be scattered at sea, two of his children had him frozen in Arizona, and an ex-employee said his head was severedTed Williams, the Boston Red Sox hitter, died of cardiac arrest in Inverness, Florida, on 5 July 2002, aged 83.Internet Archive and 14 moreJerry Buss: Jerry Buss playing the WSOP2013 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaJerry Buss's sons tried to vote their sister off the Lakers board; she went to court and removed one of them as trusteeJerry Buss bought the Lakers in 1979 and placed his controlling stake in a family trust for his six children. The trust named his daughter Jeanie Buss as controlling owner and the team's representative to the NBA.espn.com and 2 moreJimi Hendrix: Jimi Hendrix (1967) (cropped)1970 · Samarkand Hotel, Notting Hill, LondonJimi Hendrix died with no will, and his father's will later cut his brother out of an $80 million estateJimi Hendrix died in London aged 27; the inquest returned an open verdict. He had no will. His father, Al Hendrix, was his sole heir. The estate was worth about $500,000 in 1970.The Seattle Times and 3 moreTownes Van Zandt: Singer-Songwriter Townes Van Zandt in Concert at "Kult" Niederstetten, Germany1997 · Smyrna, TennesseeTownes Van Zandt's ex-wife ran his estate, his eldest son questioned her title to the songs, and the family spent 11 years fighting the label that held his mastersTownes Van Zandt wrote "Pancho and Lefty" and "If I Needed You" and died on New Year's Day 1997, aged 52. He had married Jeanene Van Zandt around 1983 and divorced her in 1994.austinchronicle.com and 2 moreJoe Louis: Joe Louis by van Vechten1981 · Las Vegas, NevadaJoe Louis owed the IRS more than $1 million and ended his life as a casino greeter in Las VegasJoe Louis held the world heavyweight title from 1937 to 1949. During World War II he gave purses from title fights to military relief funds and served in the US Army, fighting exhibition bouts for troops.nmaahc.si.edu and 3 moreMercer Ellington: Mercer Ellington (cropped)1974 · New York CityDuke Ellington's grandchildren beat their father's estate for his royalties, then lost to EMI over foreign earningsOn 19 December 1961 Duke Ellington signed a copyright renewal agreement with Mills Music. It bound all his heirs and gave the publisher the renewal rights to his songs.nycourts.gov and 5 moreJaco Pastorius: Jaco Pastorius with bass 19801987 · Fort Lauderdale, FloridaJaco Pastorius died broke after a club bouncer beat him, his estate nearly closed with debts, and his stolen bass took four years of litigation to get backJaco Pastorius was 35. On 11 September 1987 Luc Havan, manager of the Midnight Bottle Club in Wilton Manors, fractured his skull. Pastorius died after days in a coma.bpb-experimental.voicemediagroup.com and 3 moreLou Pearlman: Lou-pearlman-mugshot2016 · Federal Correctional Institution, Miami, FloridaLou Pearlman built the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC on a $300 million Ponzi scheme, fled to Bali, and died in prison as investors got 6 cents on the dollarLou Pearlman created the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC from Orlando. His company Trans Continental sold investors an "Employee Investment Savings Account" program.Internet Archive and 4 moreJohn Entwistle: John Entwistle-12002 · Hard Rock Hotel, Las Vegas, NevadaJohn Entwistle's executors sold his guitars, his cars, his house and its last 700 lots within three years of his death; his ashes stayed in the groundsJohn Entwistle, the Who's bassist, died at 57 in a Las Vegas hotel room after taking cocaine, on the eve of an American tour.Internet Archive and 5 moreB. B. King: Bbking2015 · Las Vegas, NevadaB.B. King's daughters accused his manager and his assistant of poisoning him; the coroner found no poison and the manager kept control of the estateB.B. King had 15 children, four of whom had died. LaVerne Toney had managed his road show for 39 years and held his power of attorney.CBS News and 4 moreCharlie Parker: Portrait of Charlie Parker in 19471955 · New YorkCharlie Parker's wife, his partner and his mother fought over his body, and he was buried where he asked not to beCharlie Parker died at 34 in the New York hotel suite of jazz patron Baroness Pannonica de Koenigswarter. He had separated from his legal wife, Doris, in 1950 and lived with Chan Parker, to whom he was never married.Internet Archive and 3 moreMuddy Waters: Muddy Waters november 19761983 · Westmont, IllinoisMuddy Waters' heirs spent 35 years fighting his manager over his copyrightsMuddy Waters, born McKinley Morganfield, died in his sleep at 70 and was buried at Restvale Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois, next to his wife, Geneva. The Rolling Stones took their name from his song "Rollin' Stone".Chicago Tribune and 2 moreFrankie Lymon: Frankie Lymon1968 · New York CityThree women claimed to be Frankie Lymon's widow, and New York courts had to decide who owned his share of "Why Do Fools Fall in Love"Frankie Lymon sang lead on "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" as a teenager. In 1964 Morris Levy bought George Goldner's interest in the company that held its copyright.law.resource.org and 3 moreBig Pun: Passport of Big Pun, an American rapper. Image produced 1998 or earlier. Copyright-free as image is taken according to federal government specifications. Photoshop work to2000 · White Plains, New YorkBig Pun's widow sued Fat Joe for his posthumous royalties, saying payments stopped in 2005Christopher Rios, known as Big Pun, collapsed at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in White Plains, where his family was staying, and died of a heart attack and respiratory failure at 28. He weighed 698 pounds.thesource.com and 4 moreGil Scott-Heron: Gil Scott-Heron2011 · New York CityGil Scott-Heron died with no will; his daughter said a DNA test showed his son was not his, and a Manhattan court ruled the son was an heirGil Scott-Heron died in New York aged 62 after a trip to Europe. No will was found. He left three daughters, Raquiyah "Nia" Kelly-Heron, Gia Scott-Heron and Chegianna Newton, and a son, Rumal Rackley.Internet Archive and 3 moreSly Stone: Sly Stone performing on Midnight Special on NBC, 19732025 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaSly Stone was living in a van when a jury awarded him $5 million in stolen royalties, and the award against his manager was reversedSly Stone led Sly and the Family Stone, whose hits included "Everyday People" and "Family Affair." In 2011 reports showed he was homeless and living in a camper van in Los Angeles.thegrio.com and 2 moreCurtis Mayfield: Curtis Mayfield1999 · Roswell, GeorgiaCurtis Mayfield's manager ran his estate; his widow said the manager borrowed against the songs and took about $920,000 in commissionsCurtis Mayfield was paralyzed from the neck down in 1990 when lighting equipment fell on him at an outdoor concert in Brooklyn. He died in 1999 at 57.foxnews.com and 3 moreCelia Cruz: Celia Cruz 1957 color2003 · Fort Lee, New JerseyCelia Cruz left everything to her husband; one of her executors sued the other for draining his money while he had dementiaCelia Cruz died of a brain tumor at 77. Her will named her husband of 41 years, trumpeter Pedro Knight, as sole beneficiary. It named two co-executors: her manager, Omer Pardillo, and Luis Falcón, a young man close to the couple.CBS News and 4 moreDiego Maradona: Argentina celebrando copa (cropped)2020 · Dique Luján, Tigre, Buenos Aires provinceDiego Maradona left five recognised heirs, more paternity claims, and two trials over his death and his nameDiego Maradona died at 60 in a rented house in Tigre and was buried at Jardín de Bella Vista cemetery. In December 2020 a court ordered his body preserved because a woman, Magalí Gil, claimed to be his daughter.lacapital.com.ar and 3 moreEric Carr: Eric Carr (1983)1991 · New York, New YorkA lawyer sued KISS in the name of Eric Carr's estate, and Carr's family said they had never authorized itEric Carr replaced Peter Criss as KISS drummer in 1980 and played on eight albums. He died of cancer complications at 41.loudwire.com and 4 moreRobert Johnson1938 · near Greenwood, MississippiRobert Johnson died in 1938 with nothing, and a Mississippi court found his heir 62 years laterRobert Johnson recorded 29 songs in 1936 and 1937 and died at 27, owning almost nothing. Three graves in Mississippi claim his body.The Seattle Times and 3 moreJackie Wilson: Jackie Wilson 19611984 · Mount Holly, New JerseyJackie Wilson spent eight years in a coma under a court-appointed guardian, died $300,000 in debt, and was buried in an unmarked graveOn 29 September 1975 Jackie Wilson had a heart attack while singing at the Latin Casino in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, during a Dick Clark revue. Lack of oxygen left him in a coma.albanyherald.com and 4 moreMF Doom: MF Doom - Hultsfred 2011 (cropped)2020 · United KingdomMF DOOM's widow sued a former label manager for 31 notebooks of lyrics and got them back in 2025Daniel Dumile, known as MF DOOM, died at 49. His wife, Jasmine Dumile Thompson, announced it on his Instagram two months later.musictech.com and 3 moreBo Diddley: Bo Diddley (1957 publicity portrait)2008 · Archer, FloridaBo Diddley's will gave his managers 30 percent of his songs forever, a judge let them sell the catalog to pay the IRS, and 22 heirs objectedEllas McDaniel, Bo Diddley, signed a will in 2006, had a stroke in 2007 and died in 2008 at 79. In 1994 a federal judge had found a former manager siphoned his money for a decade and ruled he was owed $400,000.floridaprobatelawgroup.com and 2 moreCharley Pride: Charley-Pride 19812020 · Dallas, TexasCharley Pride's son by a flight attendant was left out of the will, barred from the funeral, and sued the widow of 60 yearsCharley Pride died of COVID-19 complications at 86. He had been married to Rozene Pride for more than 60 years and had three children with her.nbcdfw.com and 3 moreRobin Gibb: Robin Gibb (Bee Gees) - TopPop 1973 1 (cropped)2012 · London, EnglandRobin Gibb left a £93 million fortune to his wife and three children; his daughter with the housekeeper got a closing line in the willRobin Gibb died at 62. His 15-page will was believed to have been drawn up in August 2011 and was witnessed by his chauffeur and personal assistant.hellomagazine.com and 4 moreAllen Klein: Allen Klein 1950 yearbook photo2009 · New York, New YorkAllen Klein managed three Beatles, sued them for $19 million after they fired him, and took $5 million to settleJohn Lennon appointed Allen Klein his adviser on 28 January 1969. Klein renegotiated the Beatles' EMI contract and cut costs at Apple Corps.law.resource.org and 4 moreMaria Callas: Maria Callas 19581977 · Paris, FranceMaria Callas died without a valid will, her estranged husband and mother split her $8 million, and her ashes were stolenMaria Callas died in her Paris apartment at 53. She left no signed later will, so her estate, reported at $8 million, would pass to her mother, Evangelia, and sister, Jackie, from whom she had long been estranged.The Independent and 4 moreNina Simone: Portrait of the American singer Nina Simone, 1965.2003 · Carry-le-Rouet, FranceNina Simone left most of her estate to a trust for African children; the California Attorney General said her daughter diverted it, and the daughter resigned and gave up the rightsNina Simone died at her home in the south of France at 70. Her will left her only child, Lisa Simone Kelly, a Los Angeles condominium.oag.ca.gov and 5 moreLiam Payne: One Direction NRJ 2013 22024 · Buenos Aires, ArgentinaLiam Payne fell from a Buenos Aires hotel balcony with no will, and his £24 million went to his seven-year-old sonLiam Payne fell from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Hotel in Palermo, Buenos Aires.tribune.com.pk and 3 moreGeorge Gershwin: George Gershwin, 28 March 19371937 · Los Angeles, California, United StatesGeorge Gershwin died at 38 without a will, and the Gershwin trusts lobbied Congress for 20 more years of copyrightGeorge Gershwin died of a brain tumour at 38. He had no wife, no children and no will. A 1938 report put his net estate at $341,089, all of it to his mother, Rose, with Rhapsody in Blue appraised as the most valuable asset.Library of Congress and 5 moreMichael Hutchence: Michael-hutchence-INXS-19861997 · Ritz-Carlton hotel, Double Bay, SydneyMichael Hutchence left half his estate to his baby daughter, and the money went into offshore trusts she did not controlINXS singer Michael Hutchence was found dead in a Sydney hotel room at 37. The coroner ruled suicide in February 1998.theage.com.au and 3 moreBrian Epstein: Collectie / Archief : Fotocollectie Anefo Reportage / Serie : [ onbekend ] Beschrijving : Aankomst Brian Epstein (manager Beatles) op Schiphol (Grand Gala du Disque 1967 · London, EnglandBrian Epstein died at 32 owed 25 percent of the Beatles' royalties for nine years, and his mother sold that claim to a City investment trustBrian Epstein was found dead in his locked bedroom. The coroner ruled an accidental overdose of Carbrital with alcohol.the-paulmccartney-project.com and 3 moreÉdith Piaf: Studio photo1963 · Plascassier, Grasse, FranceEdith Piaf's body was driven secretly from Grasse to Paris so her death could be announced there, and her husband inherited her debtsEdith Piaf died at 1:10 pm on 10 October 1963 in Plascassier, near Grasse, at 47. She had asked to die in Paris.pariszigzag.fr and 4 moreLead Belly: Leadbelly with Accordeon1949 · New York CityLead Belly's family trust sued his publishers in 2026 over 49 songs it took back by copyright terminationHuddie Ledbetter, known as Lead Belly, registered copyrights on his songs on 24 November 1936.musicbusinessworldwide.com and 1 moreScott Joplin: Scott Joplin in 19121917 · Manhattan State Hospital, Ward's Island, New York, UnitScott Joplin died in a state hospital without a will, his papers were lost in a trustee's estate, and his widow's trust won $177,980 in 1977Scott Joplin sold Maple Leaf Rag in 1899 for $50 and a royalty of one cent a copy. He spent his money trying to stage his opera Treemonisha, which failed at a 1915 reading.academic.oup.com and 3 moreAI illustration: A grave covered in flowers and candles among the tombs of Père Lachaise cemetery, Paris, one single continuous view1971 · Paris, FranceJim Morrison left everything to Pamela Courson; she died three years later without a will, and both sets of parents fought for The Doors' moneyJim Morrison was found dead in a Paris bathtub at 27. No autopsy was done, and he was buried at Père Lachaise cemetery. His will left everything to his companion, Pamela Courson.hackardlaw.com and 2 moreBéla Bartók: Bartók Béla 19271945 · New York CityBéla Bartók's New York estate was in court for 22 years, and the trustee claimed his manuscriptsBéla Bartók died in New York in 1945. His will named Victor Bator and Julius Baron as executors. Baron was allowed to resign on 15 March 1956, leaving Bator as sole trustee. Bator ran the estate until his death in 1967.CourtListener and 4 moreBernie Worrell: Bernie Worrell - SociaLibrium, Vienna2009 a2022 · Detroit, Michigan (Eastern District of Michigan); TallahasseBernie Worrell's widow sued George Clinton for half of 264 Parliament-Funkadelic recordings, and an appeals court sent the case to trialBernie Worrell, P-Funk's Juilliard-trained keyboardist, died of lung cancer in 2016 at 72. In 1976 he signed an agreement giving Clinton's company, Thang, Inc., ownership of his recordings in exchange for royalties.musicbusinessworldwide.com and 4 morePat Bowlen2019 · Denver, ColoradoPat Bowlen's trust was meant to keep the Broncos in his family; two daughters and his brother sued, and the team was soldPat Bowlen bought the Broncos in 1984. Alzheimer's forced him to step aside in 2014. A three-person trust led by team president Joe Ellis ran the team.cpr.org and 2 moreTom Benson: Tom Benson 20092018 · Ochsner Medical Center, Jefferson, LouisianaTom Benson's daughter and grandchildren sued to have him declared incompetent after he gave the Saints to his third wifeIn January 2015 Tom Benson, 87, said control of the Saints and Pelicans would pass to his third wife, Gayle, on his death. His daughter, Renee Benson, and her children, Rita and Ryan LeBlanc, had been the expected heirs.espn.com and 2 moreGlenn Miller: Glenn Miller1944 · over the English ChannelGlenn Miller vanished over the English Channel; his widow licensed his name for $1, and his children lost it in courtMajor Glenn Miller's plane disappeared over the English Channel on 15 December 1944. No wreckage or body was found. He was pronounced dead a year later.cacd.uscourts.gov and 1 moreMiriam Makeba: Miriam makeba 012008 · Castel Volturno, ItalyMiriam Makeba's grandchildren fought her own trustees for her music, and the state paid their lawyers until the Public Protector ruled it unlawfulMiriam Makeba collapsed after a concert in Italy and died at 76. Her rights to more than 30 albums sat in the ZM Makeba Trust, run by trustees Graeme Gilfillan, a copyright lawyer, and Dumisani Motha, her former manager and agent.news24.com and 4 moreJohnny Hallyday: Johnny-Hallyday-12017 · Marnes-la-Coquette, FranceJohnny Hallyday disinherited two of his children under California law, and a French court ruled French law appliedJohnny Hallyday, the French rock singer, died of lung cancer at 74. He was buried on the Caribbean island of Saint-Barthélemy. His will, written in English in California in July 2014, left everything to his wife, Laeticia.eapil.org and 3 moreJoe Robbie: JoeRobbie1 (cropped)1990 · Miami, FloridaJoe Robbie's nine children sued each other, his widow claimed her 30 percent, and a $47 million tax bill forced the sale of the DolphinsJoe Robbie founded the Dolphins in 1966 and built their stadium with private money. He died in 1990, leaving the team and stadium in trust. Three of his nine children managed the estate.Tampa Bay Times and 2 moreGiuseppe Verdi: Giuseppe Verdi by Ferdinand Mulnier BW1901 · MilanGiuseppe Verdi's villa was closed by a Parma court in 2022 over an heirs' fight, then taken by the state for about 7.6 million euros against a 30 million appraisalVerdi bought the Sant'Agata villa in 1848 and lived there from 1851 until his death. It passed to his younger cousin Maria Filomena Verdi, and later to the Carrara Verdi family.quotidiano.net and 4 moreBuddy Holly: Buddy Holly Brunswick Records1959 · near Clear Lake, IowaBuddy Holly's widow charged Lubbock to use his name, and the city renamed its festival and walk of fameBuddy Holly married María Elena Santiago in 1958. He died in a plane crash on 3 February 1959, at 22. She controls his name, image and trademarks.kcbd.com and 3 moreEnrico Caruso: Postcard of Enrico Caruso, ca. 19101921 · Hotel Vesuvio, NaplesEnrico Caruso's body lay in a glass-topped coffin in Naples for years, and his estate was split by a Naples decree that two New Jersey courts reopenedEnrico Caruso died at 48 in Naples.case-law.vlex.com and 2 morePeter Tosh: BushDoctor1978 (cropped2)1987 · his home, Kingston, JamaicaPeter Tosh died without a will; his ten children fought in a Manhattan court over his royaltiesPeter Tosh left no will. A court-appointed lawyer ran his estate for about 22 years. In 2009 his youngest child, Niambe McIntosh, took over as administrator. The estate earned about $150,000 to $300,000 a year.blackamericaweb.com and 3 moreKishore Kumar: Legendary singers of India1987 · Mumbai, IndiaKishore Kumar's nephew agreed to sell his childhood home for Rs 14 crore, his son published a legal notice to stop it, and the house became a ruinKishore Kumar was born Abhas Kumar Ganguly in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh. His last rites were performed at the family house, Gauri Kunj, also called Ganguly House, in the Bombay Bazar area.theweek.in and 3 moreJenni Rivera: Jenni Rivera performing in 2009 2 (cropped)2012 · near Iturbide, Nuevo León, MexicoJenni Rivera's children sued their grandfather's label for exploiting her music, and the family split in courtJenni Rivera, the best-selling female artist in regional Mexican music, died when her chartered Learjet crashed in Mexico. Her sister Rosie Rivera ran her legacy until Jenni's children took over the estate in 2021.remezcla.com and 2 moreVicente Fernández: Vicente Fernández - Pepsi Center - 06.11.112021 · Guadalajara, Jalisco, MexicoVicente Fernández's widow went to court to stop Televisa using his name for a biopic, and the series aired anywayVicente Fernández died after months in hospital and was buried on his 500-hectare ranch, Los Tres Potrillos, named for his sons Vicente Jr., Gerardo and Alejandro.infobae.com and 5 moreGrave of Nick Drake, Tanworth-in-Arden - geograph.org.uk - 6972505: Grave of Nick Drake, Tanworth-in-Arden1974 · Tanworth-in-Arden, WarwickshireNick Drake's estate stopped the auction of six unheard 1967 recordings claimed by his friend Beverley MartynNick Drake died at 26 of an overdose of antidepressants at his parents' home. His three Island albums sold poorly in his lifetime.udiscovermusic.com and 4 moreSidhu Moose Wala: Sidhu Moose Wala during the shooting of his film Moosa Jatt (cropped)2022 · Mansa district, Punjab, IndiaSidhu Moose Wala's parents won his song copyright in court, had a son by IVF at 58, and were questioned by the state over the babyShubhdeep Singh Sidhu, known as Sidhu Moose Wala, was shot dead in Mansa district at 28. Media reports said the killers acted for Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar and jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.LiveLaw and 4 moreTakeoff: Rapper Takeoff performing on stage in in Toronto in 2017. Photo by Charito Yap.2022 · 810 Billiards & Bowling, Houston, TexasTakeoff of Migos was shot dead with no will; his mother and father are fighting over the money the bowling alley paid for his deathKirsnick Khari Ball, known as Takeoff, was shot dead at 28 at a private party at a Houston bowling alley. He left no will. One report put his estate at $26 million.complex.com and 4 moreAI illustration: A probate court file on a desk in White Plains, New York, 20212021 · White Plains, New YorkDMX died without a will, leaving 15 children, a fiancée the court would not recognize, and an estate valued under $1 millionDMX, born Earl Simmons, died at 50 after a heart attack. He left no will. Under New York intestacy law his legal children inherit equally. Rival petitions reached the Westchester County Surrogate's Court within weeks.xxlmag.com and 3 moreAI illustration: An empty basketball arena in Los Angeles, 20142014 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaDoctors declared Donald Sterling incapacitated, and his wife sold the Clippers out from under him for $2 billionIn April 2014 a recording of Clippers owner Donald Sterling making racist remarks became public. The NBA banned him for life and moved to force a sale.NPR and 1 moreWhitney Houston: Whitney Houston (cropped3)2012 · Beverly Hilton, Beverly Hills; hospice, GeorgiaWhitney Houston left everything to her daughter; three years later the daughter died and the money went to Whitney's mother and brothersWhitney Houston drowned in suite 434 of the Beverly Hilton the night before the 2012 Grammy Awards; heart disease and cocaine contributed. Her will, last updated in 2004, was approved in Fulton County, Georgia, in March 2012.abcnews.com and 3 moreDavy Jones: Photo of The Monkees.2012 · Stuart, FloridaDavy Jones's 2004 will left out the wife he married in 2009; she petitioned for half as a pretermitted spouse and the family sealed the fileDavy Jones died of a heart attack at 66. His will was dated 30 March 2004. In August 2009 he married Jessica Pacheco, then about 30, and he never updated the will. She was not named in it.m.flsenate.gov and 2 moreOl' Dirty Bastard: Ol' Dirty Bastard, an American rapper, performing on MTV. He is wearing a blue jacket, and against a black background2004 · New York CityOl' Dirty Bastard died without a will; his widow sued the Wu-Tang Clan for royalties while his children said they had received nothingRussell Jones, known as Ol' Dirty Bastard, died of an accidental drug overdose two days before his 36th birthday. He had no will, so New York law decided who inherited.blackenterprise.com and 1 moreAI illustration: A pickup truck parked overnight on a Pittsburgh street in winter, late 1990s2002 · Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaHall of Famer Mike Webster lived in his truck, died at 50, and his estate won his NFL disability pay after his deathMike Webster played center for four Super Bowl-winning Steelers teams. After he retired he had amnesia, dementia, depression and constant pain. He lived out of his pickup truck or in train stations between Wisconsin and Pittsburgh.The New York Times and 3 moreJack Kent Cooke: Jack Kent Cooke circa 1955 (cropped)1997 · Washington, D.C.Jack Kent Cooke's will ordered the Redskins sold to fund his foundation, and his son was outbid by Daniel SnyderJack Kent Cooke left 90 percent of the Washington Redskins to the charitable foundation named after him.philanthropy.com and 3 moreTupac Shakur: Tupac Shakur in 19951996 · Las Vegas, NevadaTupac's mother beat his absent father in court and built his estate; her executor was then sued by Tupac's sisterTupac Shakur was shot in a drive-by in Las Vegas on 7 September 1996 and died six days later, aged 25. He left no will. His biological father, Billy Garland, sought half the estate.Los Angeles Times and 4 moreSelena: Selena Quintanilla 19861995 · Corpus Christi, TexasSelena was shot by her fan club president; her father later sued her widower to stop a TV show about herSelena Quintanilla-Pérez, 23, was shot at a Corpus Christi motel by Yolanda Saldívar, the founder of her fan club. Saldívar was convicted of murder on 23 October 1995 and sentenced to 30 years to life.ksat.com and 2 moreEazy-E: Eazy E headshot1995 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaEazy-E married on his deathbed and left Ruthless Records to his bride; his son challenged the marriage 21 years laterEazy-E, born Eric Wright, announced he had AIDS in March 1995. He married Tomica Woods on 14 March 1995 and died less than two weeks later. His will left his property, including Ruthless Records, to her.theblast.com and 2 moreAI illustration: The beach at Golden Beach, Florida, on a rough day, 19791979 · Golden Beach, FloridaRams owner Carroll Rosenbloom drowned, his widow inherited 70 percent of the team, fired his son and moved the team to St. LouisCarroll Rosenbloom drowned while swimming in the ocean near his Florida home. To use the estate-tax marital deduction, his will gave 70 percent of the Rams to his wife, Georgia, and split 30 percent among his five children.Tampa Bay Times and 3 moreFlorence Ballard: Florence Ballard (1965)1976 · Mount Carmel Mercy Hospital, Detroit, MichiganFlorence Ballard was put out of the Supremes, barred from using the name for a $139,804 payment, and was on welfare seven years laterFlorence Ballard co-founded the Primettes in 1959 and chose the name "the Supremes" when Berry Gordy asked for a new one. After a 1967 show in Las Vegas, Gordy sent her back to Detroit and replaced her with Cindy Birdsong.legacy.com and 3 moreIgor Stravinsky: Photoportrait of Russian composer Igor Stravinsky. Taken by George Grantham Bain's news picture agency. Source: https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2014712545/1971 · New York, United StatesStravinsky's widow and children litigated his estate for four years, and the dispute over the royalties reached a New York appeals court in 2003Igor Stravinsky's will put his whole estate, mostly copyrights and royalties, in trust for his second wife, Vera.nycourts.gov and 3 moreFela Kuti: Fela Kuti circa 19861997 · Lagos, NigeriaFela Kuti's brother announced he died of AIDS, he was buried in his own courtyard, and his estate signed with WME 26 years laterFela Anikulapo-Kuti married 27 women publicly and supported a household of more than 100 people. He died in a Lagos hospital at 58.ipsnews.net and 5 moreVíctor Jara: Photograph of the Chilean singer-songwriter Víctor Jara performing in Helsinki at a protest against the war on Vietnam.1973 · Estadio Chile, Santiago, ChileSoldiers shot Víctor Jara 44 times, his widow buried him in secret, and 50 years later Chile jailed his killers and Florida deported the last oneAfter the coup, soldiers held Víctor Jara at Estadio Chile and tortured him for days. His body was dumped near the Metropolitan Cemetery. His British widow, Joan Jara, identified him at the morgue.ice.gov and 6 moreBunny Wailer: BunnyWailer-Istandpredominate2021 · Kingston, JamaicaBunny Wailer's wife was missing when he died, his 13 children were told to take DNA tests, and his son sued to remove his brother as executorNeville "Bunny Wailer" Livingston died with his wife, Jean Watt, missing since 23 May 2020.Internet Archive and 4 moreAnton Webern: Anton Webern in Stettin, October 19121945 · Mittersill, AustriaAnton Webern was shot dead by a US Army cook in Mittersill on 15 September 1945, and the record shows no trialAnton Webern, 61, had left Vienna for Mittersill, where his daughter and son-in-law, Benno Mattel, lived. On the evening of 15 September 1945, US soldiers posing as black-market buyers arrested Mattel for illegal dealing.theamericanscholar.org and 2 moreAlban Berg: Alban Berg (1885–1935) ~1930 © Max Fenichel (1885–1942)1935 · ViennaAlban Berg's widow kept the third act of Lulu unfinished for 41 years, and a composer finished it in secret for the publisherAlban Berg died on 24 December 1935 with the opera Lulu orchestrated through two acts. Act 3 existed in short score. Universal Edition, his publisher, asked Schoenberg, Webern and Zemlinsky to finish it, and all declined.nybooks.com and 2 moreGoo Hara: 170807 구하라 (cropped)2019 · Seoul, South KoreaGoo Hara's mother left when she was a child and claimed half her estate; Korea changed its inheritance lawGoo Hara, a member of the girl group KARA, died at her Seoul home at 28. She had no spouse or children, so under Korean law her parents were her heirs.soompi.com and 3 moreSergei Rachmaninoff: Sergei Rachmaninoff cph.3a405751943 · Beverly Hills, CaliforniaRussia's culture minister demanded Rachmaninoff's remains back from New York, and his descendants said noSergei Rachmaninoff left Russia in 1917 after the Bolshevik revolution. He became a US citizen shortly before he died of cancer at 69. He was buried at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York, with his wife and daughter.Smithsonian Magazine and 3 moreUmm Kulthum: Umm Kulthum as Fatimah1975 · Cairo, EgyptUmm Kulthum's heirs sued to pull the biopic "El Sett" from cinemas, and Egypt's Administrative Court ordered them to pay costsUmm Kulthum died in Cairo in 1975 at 76. Her recordings have been the subject of a long fight between companies.Internet Archive and 3 moreJohann Strauss I: StraußVaterLitho1899 · Vienna, Austria-HungaryJohann Strauss II gave up Austrian citizenship and his church to remarry, then left his fortune to a music society instead of his familyJohann Strauss II wanted to leave his second wife, Angelika Dittrich, and marry Adele Strauss. Catholic Austria did not allow a divorced person to remarry while the spouse was alive.projekt-gutenberg.org and 3 moreOzzy Osbourne: Ozzy Osbourne, Prince of Darkness, at the I Am Ozzy book signing at Changing Hands, Tempe Arizona, Feb 20th, 20102025 · EnglandA year after Ozzy Osbourne died, Sharon Osbourne asked the High Court to remove his accountant of more than 40 years as executorOzzy Osbourne died in July 2025 at 76. Estimates of his estate range from about $100 million to $220 million.accountingtoday.com and 3 moreGeorge Michael: George Michael performing on The Summit stage in Houston (Texas, USA) during the Faith World Tour in 19882016 · Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, EnglandGeorge Michael left his £97 million estate to his sisters and nothing to his partner, who would not leave the Regent's Park houseGeorge Michael died at 53. In March 2017 the coroner ruled he died of natural causes. He was buried on 29 March 2017 at Highgate Cemetery in north London, three months after his death.smoothradio.com and 4 moreWolfgang Wagner: Conférence de Wolfgang Wagner dans la fosse du Festspielhaus lors du festival 20042010 · Bayreuth, GermanyWagner's grandson held a lifetime contract at Bayreuth, refused to leave when the board named his daughter's rival, and handed the festival to his daughters at 89Richard Wagner opened his festival theatre at Bayreuth in 1876.historynewsnetwork.org and 5 moreLuciano Pavarotti: Luciano Pavarotti 20042007 · Modena, ItalyPavarotti left three wills, and his daughters challenged the share of his second wife until a 2008 settlementLuciano Pavarotti had three daughters, Lorenza, Cristina and Giuliana, from his 35-year marriage to Adua Veroni. In 2003 he married Nicoletta Mantovani, with whom he had a fourth daughter, Alice. He died of pancreatic cancer at 71.foxnews.com and 3 moreAntonio Vivaldi: Vivaldi1741 · ViennaAntonio Vivaldi was buried in Vienna for 19 florins 45 kreuzer, and his manuscripts were sold off, then found at a school in 1926Antonio Vivaldi died in Vienna in July 1741 in poor circumstances, in a house owned by a saddlemaker's widow. The funeral at St.finestresullarte.info and 2 moreGiacomo Puccini: Giacomo Puccini LCCN2005685154 (1) cropped1924 · Brussels, BelgiumPuccini's fortune passed to his son's widow, then her brother, then reportedly a butler, before the son's illegitimate daughter won it in courtGiacomo Puccini left his villa at Torre del Lago, a villa at Viareggio and his royalties to his widow Elvira and their only son, Antonio.csmonitor.com and 5 moreGustav Mahler: Photo of Gustav Mahler by Moritz Nähr 011911 · ViennaAlma Mahler held Mahler's unfinished Tenth Symphony for decades and first demanded a veto over Deryck Cooke's completionGustav Mahler died in May 1911 with the Tenth Symphony in draft. No one tried to complete it at once. A mistaken report led Richard Specht to suggest Mahler wanted the manuscript burned.mahlerfoundation.org and 2 morePelé: Pele con brasil (cropped)2022 · São Paulo, BrazilPelé fought a paternity case he lost, and after his death a woman claimed his estate until two DNA tests failedPelé, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, won three World Cups. In the 1990s Sandra Regina Machado sued to be recognized as his daughter. A court-ordered DNA test in 1993 confirmed it. Pelé never accepted her socially.primicias.ec and 3 moreAaliyah: Aaliyah in Berlin, May 20002001 · Abaco Islands, Bahamas (plane crash)Aaliyah's uncle owned her masters, and most of her music stayed off streaming for 20 years after her deathAaliyah Haughton signed to Blackground Records, the label founded by her uncle and former manager, Barry Hankerson. Blackground released her albums One in a Million and Aaliyah.thefader.com and 3 moreAvicii: Avicii 2014 003cr2018 · Muscat, OmanAvicii died at 28 without a will; his parents inherited about $25 million and sold 75 percent of his catalogTim Bergling, who recorded as Avicii, died at 28. He was not married and had no children, and he left no will. Under Swedish law his estate passed to his parents, Klas Bergling and Anki Lidén.dancingastronaut.com and 2 morePortrait of Niccolò Paganini1840 · Nice, Kingdom of SardiniaThe Church refused Paganini burial, and his embalmed body was moved from cellar to cellar for 36 yearsNiccolò Paganini was the most famous violinist in Europe and was rumoured to have sold his soul to the devil. He died in Nice in 1840 without receiving the last rites.hekint.org and 3 moreLudwig van Beethoven: Beethoven with the manuscript of the Missa solemnis1827 · Vienna, AustriaBeethoven took his nephew from the boy's mother in court; the nephew shot himself, then inherited everythingBeethoven's brother Kaspar Karl died in 1815, leaving a nine-year-old son, Karl. Beethoven called the boy's mother, Johanna, unfit and fought her in the Vienna courts for sole guardianship. He won, and Johanna lost all custody.Internet Archive and 2 moreJoseph Haydn: Portrait of Joseph Haydn1809 · Vienna, AustriaPhrenologists stole Haydn's head after burial, and it was reunited with his body 145 years laterJoseph Haydn died in Vienna while French troops occupied the city. He was buried in the Hundsturm cemetery.classical-music.com and 2 moreJean-Marie Leclair: JMLeclair1764 · Rue Carême-Prenant, Le Marais, ParisJean-Marie Leclair was found stabbed three times at his Paris door in October 1764, and his ex-wife sold his belongings and unpublished musicJean-Marie Leclair, 66, was found dead early on 23 October 1764 in the vestibule of his house on the Rue Carême-Prenant. He had three stab wounds. Wikipedia gives 22 October as the date of death.interlude.hk and 2 moreWolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Mozart familylabel QS:Lfr,"portrait de la famille Mozart"label QS:Len,"Mozart family"1791 · Vienna, AustriaMozart's widow passed off a Requiem finished by his student as his own and sold it twiceWolfgang Amadeus Mozart died at 35 with debts and was buried in a common grave at St. Marx, as the burial rules of the time required for most citizens; his body was never identified. He left an unfinished Requiem.dme.mozarteum.at and 2 more