A court battle is looming over the will of the late fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld, with an unnamed plaintiff set to challenge the designer's final wishes concerning his vast fortune. The dispute centers on whether Lagerfeld was of sound mind when he signed the will, which leaves his accumulated wealth and property valued at around €200m to a tight-knit group of confidants.
Lagerfeld had no spouse, children, or surviving siblings when he died in 2019 aged 85, but he did have several close relationships with models and assistants. His teenage godson Hudson Kroenig and his assistant Sébastien Jondeau are among those believed to be beneficiaries under the will. However, Lagerfeld's nieces and nephews from his deceased sisters' families are being excluded from inheriting his fortune.
The controversy may hinge on whether Lagerfeld was fit to make decisions about his estate at the time of signing the will. The plaintiff's move could potentially upset the inheritance of those who were close to him during his lifetime. One person, however, appears safe in her inheritance: Choupette, Lagerfeld's beloved cat, which he left a home and garden in France as well as a substantial bank account for Françoise Caçote to care for after his death.
Choupette, with 278,000 followers on Instagram, has become an advertising icon, earning income through partnerships with companies like Audi. As Lagerfeld's estate faces uncertainty over its ownership structure, the legacy of one of fashion's most iconic figures remains intact in the form of his cherished pet.
Lagerfeld had no spouse, children, or surviving siblings when he died in 2019 aged 85, but he did have several close relationships with models and assistants. His teenage godson Hudson Kroenig and his assistant Sébastien Jondeau are among those believed to be beneficiaries under the will. However, Lagerfeld's nieces and nephews from his deceased sisters' families are being excluded from inheriting his fortune.
The controversy may hinge on whether Lagerfeld was fit to make decisions about his estate at the time of signing the will. The plaintiff's move could potentially upset the inheritance of those who were close to him during his lifetime. One person, however, appears safe in her inheritance: Choupette, Lagerfeld's beloved cat, which he left a home and garden in France as well as a substantial bank account for Françoise Caçote to care for after his death.
Choupette, with 278,000 followers on Instagram, has become an advertising icon, earning income through partnerships with companies like Audi. As Lagerfeld's estate faces uncertainty over its ownership structure, the legacy of one of fashion's most iconic figures remains intact in the form of his cherished pet.