10 Celebrities Who Died Without Leaving a Will

Not every celebrity thought ahead when it came to estate planning. They left behind legacies, but without a will, they created complicated legal battles for their families. These 15 celebrities, in particular, passed away without clear instructions.

Aretha Franklin

After Aretha Franklin passed away in 2018, she left behind a fortune valued at $80 million without a formal, typewritten will. However, after her passing, two handwritten documents, believed to be wills, were discovered in her home. These documents, particularly a 2014 document found on a couch, were the subject of legal battles between her sons. Eventually, a jury ruled that the 2014 will was valid and is now the basis for distributing her assets.

Prince

Prince's passing in 2016 shocked the world, but it was his lack of a will that caused the real drama. His $156 million estate was contested for years, with over 45 individuals claiming to be his heirs. The confusion persisted for six years before it was resolved.

Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse’s $4.66 million estate was inherited by her parents after her tragic ending in 2011. Her father, Mitch, was appointed as the administrator. However, drama unfolded when Amy’s ex-husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, attempted to claim a portion of her estate, which sparked a legal battle in 2019.

Bob Marley

When reggae legend Bob Marley passed away in 1981, he left behind a complicated estate worth $11.5 million. Legal challenges dragged on for more than 30 years, as his family and former partners fought over his assets and image rights, all because he didn’t leave a will.

Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix died in 1970, leaving behind a fortune that has grown from $20,000 to $175 million. His lack of a will led to over three decades of legal battles over his estate, with family members, ex-lovers, and even his bandmates claiming rights to his music and royalties.

James Brown

Although James Brown had a valid will, his estate wasn’t settled until 15 years later. Legal entanglements arose from his surviving partner’s previous marriage and disputes over his desire to establish a scholarship fund. Multiple lawsuits delayed the resolution, leaving his legacy in limbo for years.

Sonny Bono

Sonny Bono’s untimely passing in a 1998 skiing accident left his $1.7 million estate up for grabs. While his spouse at the time, Mary Bono, battled through probate court to manage it, an unexpected claim from a child purportedly from a past relationship complicated matters. Cher, his ex-wife, also demanded her share.

Martin Luther King Jr.

The civil rights leader’s estate has been a point of contention since his assassination in 1968. Worth approximately $250,000 at the time of his departure, Martin Luther King Jr.'s estate involved complex disputes over historic items, including his Nobel Peace Prize. Even decades later, his family remains entangled in legal battles.

Tupac Shakur

Tupac Shakur's estate was valued at just $200,000 at the time of his demise, but his mother turned it into a $40 million fortune before she died in 2016. With no will in place, family members fought over his music royalties and legacy, including disputes with his estranged father.

Kurt Cobain

The Nirvana frontman had an estimated $50 million estate upon his passing  in 1994. His wife, Courtney Love, was legally entitled to manage it under Seattle law because he had no will. However, reports suggest that Cobain had been planning to divorce her, making the lack of a will a significant issue.

Heath Ledger

Heath Ledger, who passed away in 2008, had a will—but it hadn't been updated since 2003. This oversight left his daughter, Matilda, and her mother, Michelle Williams, out of the distribution. In 2008, his family voluntarily transferred the entire estate, valued at over $20 million, to Matilda.

Tony Hsieh

Tony Hsieh, the former CEO of Zappos, passed away in a 2020 house fire. His estate, which comprised nearly 100 Las Vegas properties, was valued at around $840 million. Unfortunately, his will was discovered years later, found in the personal belongings of Pir Muhammad, who was named a co-executor and co-witness in the will. Prior to its discovery, Hsieh's father had been managing his estate through a probate case, assuming he had died intestate.

Marvin Gaye

When Marvin Gaye tragically left the world in 1984, he left behind a tangled financial mess. Not only did he die without a will, but he was also in debt to the tune of $9.2 million. Legal battles continued as his family fought over his estate and music royalties.

John Denver

John Denver’s untimely passing in 1997 left his $19 million estate up in the air. Though his ex-wife was the executor of the estate, Denver’s children and other family members fought over his assets, dragging out the probate process for six years before everything was finally settled.