Dead Celebrity

Victoria Gray, deputy chairman of Bonhams North America, has spent decades curating and managing some of the most iconic celebrity estate auctions. From U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein's six homes to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's salt and pepper shakers, she reveals how intimate artifacts transform into coveted treasures worth thousands. With a blend of … Read More Read More

Leon Spinks shocked the world in 1978 when, in just his eighth professional fight, he defeated Muhammad Ali to become the undisputed heavyweight champion, a victory still regarded as one of boxing's greatest upsets. Yet, despite his early success and multimillion-dollar earnings, financial missteps and the long-term effects of brain injuries would take a heavy … Read More Read More

When Bob Marley passed away in 1981, he left behind a musical legacy, but no estate plan. Due to his religious beliefs, Marley didn't create a will, and what followed was a legal firestorm: forged documents, disputed signatures and a tangled web of allegations involving his wife, attorney and accountant. In this episode, David Lenok … Read More Read More

After four decades of acting and winning multiple awards, Gene Hackman was found dead in his home at the age of 95, along with his wife and primary caretaker, Betsy Arakawa. Forensics uncovered that his wife predeceased him, leaving him to struggle with Alzheimer's alone before passing away one week later. Join WealthManagement.com Senior Editor … Read More Read More

With Donald Trump appearing at his recent inauguration flanked by tech billionaires, the connection between presidents and the almighty dollar is more apparent than ever. However, Trump is not the only president with an interesting relationship with money. In this episode of the Celebrity Estates podcast, host David Lenok welcomes back Megan Gorman, a wealth … Read More Read More

Jim Thorpe, revered as one of the greatest athletes in American history, exemplifies how personal wishes and legal rights can conflict posthumously. Thorpe's estranged third wife, Patricia, moved his remains to a town in Pennsylvania, which now bears his name, in a bid to create a tourist attraction, a decision contested by his sons under … Read More Read More

John Amos, an actor who starred in such television shows as Good Times, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The West Wing, is believed to have died from congestive heart failure, but his only daughter Shannon has doubts. She has accused her brother of elder abuse, including isolating Amos from others, impersonating him in communications … Read More Read More

Shannen Doherty, a beloved actress, was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer, tragically caught too late for treatment. The day before her passing on July 13, 2024, she finalized her divorce from Kurt Iswarienko, ensuring her assets would be passed to her chosen beneficiaries. In this episode, David Lenok and guest Shawn Goheen stress the … Read More Read More

Simon Cowell, reality star and record producer, has an estimated net value worth of $600 million. How much of that will be left for his son? According to him, nothing. Listen in as host David Lenok is joined by Thomas Kopelman, head of community at Estate Planning platform wealth.com and co-founder of All Street Wealth. … Read More Read More

Even celebrities aren't free of the pitfalls of poor estate and legacy planning. With their lives and finances often in the spotlight, it can be easy to see where they fall short and how to avoid those same problems if you know where to look. Join David Lenok and his guest, psychologist and economist Eric … Read More Read More

Len Bias was a star basketball player at the University of Maryland drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1986 and one step away from becoming a pro athlete. Unfortunately, he passed away just two days after being selected but before signing any MBS or sponsorship documents, leaving him and his family just out of reach … Read More Read More

A close-knit network of family businesses, the NFL earns around $200 billion annually. On top of traditional family business within their individual branches, the NFL navigates those same financial planning connections between extended family members as well. Join David Lenok and his guest Alvina Lo, chief wealth strategist at Wilmington Trust, as they delve into … Read More Read More

When King Charles III was crowned, he had lived a life full of experiences at the age of 74. His heirs equally have lived their lives and made their own decisions, including his son Harry who has taken up residence in the US. This decision will impact how Harry's inheritance will be taxed after his … Read More Read More

Uncut Gems star Julia Fox recently went viral for posting a TikTok video showcasing her home, which was modest compared to the extravagant wealth you expect from someone wealthy and famous. Today, many millennials are shifting away from buying luxury homes. In this episode, David Lenok speaks with Kelley Wolfington, Senior Wealth Strategist at SEI … Read More Read More

Bob Barker is best known as the beloved host of The Price Is Right, the longest-running game show in American television history. Barker sadly passed away in August 2023. The majority of his estate was donated to forty different animal and military charities, which was no surprise, given his life as a vegetarian and an … Read More Read More

The entertainment industry is a world of buying, selling and competing for the right to use certain intellectual property and work in specific places. Managing the money, and more importantly, the tax implications requires a deft hand. In this episode, David Lenok speaks with Charles Lubar, retired Senior Counsel from McDermott Will & Emery, about … Continue reading Celebrity Estates: Celebrity Tax Planning Adventures with Jim Henson and Michael Jackson →

When King Charles III was crowned, he had lived a life full of experiences at the age of 74. His heirs equally have lived their lives and made their own decisions, including his son Harry who has taken up residence in the US. This decision will impact how Harry's inheritance will be taxed after his … Continue reading Celebrity Estates: King Charles III and How International Heirs Impact Tax Planning →

Kylie Jenner has been an influential figure since 2010 as a model, business owner and social media personality. The majority of her wealth comes from the sale of 51% of her cosmetics company for an estimated $600 million. In this episode, David Lenok speaks with Brad Franc, Director of Business Law at Houston Harbaugh and … Continue reading Celebrity Estates: Kylie Jenner and Succession Planning for Business Owners →

Lisa Marie Presley was only 9 years old when her father, Elvis Presley, died and she gained control of his whole estate at the age of 25. When she passed in 2023, her mother, Pricilla Presley, challenged the legitimacy of Lisa Marie's daughters being named trustees of the trust containing the assets in Lisa Marie's … Continue reading Celebrity Estates: Lisa Marie Presley and Estate Litigation →

Summary: Uncut Gems star Julia Fox recently went viral for posting a TikTok video showcasing her home, which was modest compared to the extravagant wealth you expect from someone wealthy and famous. Today, many millennials are shifting away from buying luxury homes. In this episode, David Lenok speaks with Kelley Wolfington, Senior Wealth Strategist at … Continue reading Celebrity Estates: Julia Fox and Why Millennials Focus Less on Material Wealth →

The Windsors maintain a rigid estate and succession plan that's been (in some cases, quite literally) written in stone for hundreds of years. With the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth II, it's an opportune time to ask: What can planners learn from such an impossibly rigid, yet simultaneously extremely transparent ‘plan'? In this episode, David … Continue reading Celebrity Estates: Succession Planning Lessons From The British Royal Family →

Anne Heche was an actress known for her roles in a variety of genres in film, television and theater, receiving numerous accolades. On her tragic death in August 2022, Heche's son Homer and her former partner James Tupper fought in court over who would be her estate administrator and guardian of her youngest son Atlas.  … Continue reading Celebrity Estates: Anne Heche and the Roles of Trustees and Administrators in an Estate →

Pat Bowlen was an American lawyer and partial owner of the Denver Broncos, along with his two brothers and sister. He served as the Broncos CEO until July 2014, when he stepped down due to progressive effects of Alzheimer's disease, and passed away in 2019. His estate plan was unique due to the family trust … Continue reading REPLAY! Celebrity Estates Podcast: Pat Bowlen: Creating An Estate Plan Before Being Forced Out (Ep. 74) →

Named the Greatest Rock Star Ever after his death, David Bowie is a singer, songwriter and actor who left his mark on the world along with a $100 million dollar estate at the time of his death.  Recently, his music catalog sold for a reported $250 million, higher than his initial estate value. In this … Continue reading REPLAY! Celebrity Estates Podcast David Bowie: The Financial Side Of A Music Catalog (Ep. 73) →

The Douglas family started their legendary Hollywood career with Kirk Douglas in 1946, who had been a major box office star. Michael Douglas later surpassed his father's great fame, receiving numerous accolades. However, Cameron Douglas, Michael's son, struggled to continue the family's Hollywood legacy. In this episode, David Lenok speaks with Dr. Jamie Weiner, Co-Founder … Continue reading Celebrity Estates: Kirk, Michael and Cameron Douglas and the Challenge of Measuring up to Previous Generations (Ep.72) →

Whitney Houston, beloved singer and actress, left her entire estate to her 18-year-old only child Bobby Christina Brown. The wealth transfer was divided into three age-based distributions, with the final transfer scheduled at age 30. However, things got complicated when Brown, too, died at 22 before inheriting her mother's estate. In this episode, David Lenok … Continue reading Celebrity Estates: Whitney Houston and Adding Age Provisions For Young Beneficiaries (Ep. 71) →

Lead vocalist for Queen, Freddie Mercury kept quiet about his love life up until his death in 1991 due to complications from HIV. Since then, LGTBQ+ rights and recognition have led to a more tolerant society, with financial planning following suit. In this episode, David Lenok is joined by Tim Volk, Founder and Managing Director … Continue reading Celebrity Estates: Freddie Mercury and Financial Planning With An LGBTQ+ Mindset (Ep.70) →

Vince McMahon Sr. is best known for founding the company that eventually became World Wrestling Entertainment. In a family business, which the WWE very much is, passing down core values can be a struggle as future generations look to create their own paths. In this episode, David Lenok is joined by Kelley Wolfington, Senior Wealth … Continue reading 69. Vince McMahon Sr. and the Evolution Of Generational Values →

Conrad Hilton got his start in hospitality at his family's general store in the New Mexico Territory. Years later, he established the largest hotel chain in the world, Hilton Hotels. After his death, Conrad left much of his estate to the Conrad Hilton Foundation — until his son decided to contest the will. In this … Continue reading 68. Conrad Hilton and Advising First Generation Wealth Creators →

The war between Russia and Ukraine is upsetting what many thought to be a well-established world order. The ripples of the conflict are being felt thousands of miles away, as the global economy struggles to recalibrate on the fly. The return of war to Europe reinforces the need for clients to have a backup plan … Continue reading 67. Russia And Ukraine: The Benefits Of Alternative Citizenship →

Michael Nesmith, songwriter, actor, producer, novelist and member of the popular group The Monkees passed away in December 2021. His will stated he wished to donate his entire estate to his mother's foundation—however, there was one complication to the legality of the document. Nesmith's will was hand written. In this episode, David Lenok is joined … Continue reading 66. Michael Nesmith, The Monkees and The Legality Of Holographic Wills →

Named the Greatest Rock Star Ever after his death, David Bowie is a singer, songwriter and actor who left his mark on the world along with a $100 million dollar estate at the time of his death.  Recently, his music catalog sold for a reported $250 million, higher than his initial estate value. In this … Continue reading 65. David Bowie: The Financial Side Of A Music Catalog →

Pat Bowlen was an American lawyer and partial owner of the Denver Broncos, along with his two brothers and sister. He served as the Broncos CEO until July 2014, when he stepped down due to progressive effects of Alzheimer's disease, and passed away in 2019. His estate plan was unique due to the family trust … Continue reading 64. Pat Bowlen: Creating An Estate Plan Before Being Forced Out →

Jay Leno spent 22 years hosting the “The Tonight Show” before being inducted into the Television Hall of Fame. His prized collection consists of approximately 286 vehicles: 169 cars and 117 motorcycles, all of which create a bit of a challenge when it comes to asset planning. In this episode, David Lenok is joined by … Continue reading 63. Jay Leno: Planning for Classic Car Collections →

From the mid 1920's to his death in 1975, Aristotle Onassis embodied the phrase “many fingers in many pies” with businesses ranging from international shipping to less savory military hunters. Greek law limited how much could be granted to his American wife, Jackie O., after his death, regardless of his enormous legacy. With those limitations … Continue reading 62. Aristotle Onassis: The Impact of International Asset Planning →

David Lenok is joined by John Pantekidis, chief investment officer and general counsel at Twin Focus, to discuss the struggles of determining inheritance with children from multiple partners and the legal and tax issues when children are taken into account. With over 74 million records sold worldwide and a lucrative career that took him in … Continue reading 61. DMX: Planning For Blended Families →

Encore Presentation David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by Dr. Denise Federer, speaker, consultant, coach, psychologist, author, and founder of the Federer Performance Management Group (FPMG) as they discuss the impact of families not having those difficult conversations about their money and wealth. This episode focuses on an icon from Hollywood's Golden Age, … Continue reading Ep 60 – Audrey Hepburn: When Secrets Destroy A Family →

In this episode's encore presentation, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined once again by Megan Gorman, founding partner of Chequers Financial Management. Today's celebrity example is Philip Seymour Hoffman, American actor, director and producer, and father of three children with longtime girlfriend, Mimi. At the time of his death, Philip Seymour Hoffman's only … Continue reading Ep 59 – Philip Seymour Hoffman – Don't Delay When It Comes To Your Estate Plan – With Megan Gorman →

With a 4% stake in Amazon, MacKenzie Scott, formerly MacKenzie Bezos, is the third wealthiest woman in the United States. In this episode, David Lenok is joined by Richard Peck, vice president of New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, and Jonathan Gassman, CEO of Gassman Financial Group. Richard and Jonathan discuss how she goes about charitable giving … Continue reading Ep 58 – MacKenzie Scott: The Future of Giving? →

From his home and liquid possessions to his image and royalty rights, settling Prince's estate would have been a complex process, even with a will. But Prince did not have a will, and this led to one of the largest and most complex estate battles in Minnesota and even American history.  However, the most mysterious … Continue reading Ep 57 – Prince: Planning for Intellectual Property With Matthew Erskine →

Between his six children and his illiquid assets in Tesla and SpaceX, Elon Musk's claim to give half of his fortune to charity falls short. Yet only a few small steps would be required to increase his charitable giving and arrange support for his family.   In this episode, David Lenok is joined by John Pantekidis … Continue reading Ep 56 – Elon Musk's Charitable Limits With John Pantekidis →

In 2008, following a very public breakdown, Britney Spears and her estate were placed under a conservatorship  managed by her father, Jamie Spears.  Now 13 years later, Britney is contesting the conservatorship. In this episode, David Lenok is joined once again by Megan Gorman from Chequers Financial Management. They dive into the legal wrangling of … Continue reading Ep 55 – Britney Spears: How The Jump Conservatorship Skips Estate Planning With Megan Gorman →

In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by Robert Strauss,  shareholder and director of Weinstock Manion, specializing in guiding high net worth families, business owners, and real estate developers through the complex process of estate and wealth transfer planning. Today's celebrity example is the estate of legendary musician and American icon … Continue reading Ep 54 – James Brown: Philanthropy After Death With Robert Strauss →

Many of us remember Chrisptopher Reeves for his unforgettable performance as the first Superman to appear on the big screen in 1978. But a lot of us forget his later years were spent as a parapelegic after a tragic horse accident.  In this episode, David Lenok speaks with Gina Nelson about some of the different … Continue reading Ep 53 – The Information About Special Needs Trusts Everyone Needs To Hear With Gina Nelson →

A trust might make complete sense. But when you add family dynamics to the equation, chaos can ensue.  This is exactly what happened when a millionaire decided to remove two of his biological grandchildren from his multi-million dollar trust plan.  In this episode, David Lenok is joined by returning guest Megan Gorman, a founding partner … Continue reading Ep 52 – Peter Bing: How Incorrect Terminology in an Estate Plan Can Cause Total Chaos With Megan Gorman →

In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with Barbara Archer, managing director and partner at Hightower. David and Barbara speak about Barbra's story of researching, purchasing and preserving art that can be shared with the world. Today's celebrity example begins with Lilly Pulitzer. Lilly quickly grew to fame through her fashion and … Continue reading Ep 51 – Preserving Your Inherited Collectibles with Barbara Archer →

In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, sits down with Rick Kahler, president of Kahler Financial Group, as they dive into the subconscious mind around money. Today's celebrity example is Warren Buffett and his interesting relationship with money. Buffett, once the most wealthy man in the world, now sits in 7th place. It … Continue reading Ep 50 – Warren Buffett – What Is Your Subconscious Relationship With Money? With Rick Kahler →

In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by Dan Griffith, senior vice president and director of wealth strategy at Huntington Private Bank. Today’s celebrity example is brought to you by Clare Bronfman. We discuss Clare’s journey into using generational wealth to fund a company with negative ties. We use this infamous … Continue reading 49. Clare Bronfman: Building Generational Wealth that Matters With Dan Griffith →

In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with Rob Wermuth, senior partner and Kevin Donohue, partner at the Pennsylvania-based firm Legacy Planning about the intricacies of estate planning.  Today’s celebrity estate example is brought to us by Playboy Magazine founder and figurehead Hugh Hefner. Through the use of trusts, prenups and taking … Continue reading Ep 48 – Hugh Hefner: Plan it and Communicate it –– With Robert Wermuth and Kevin Donohue →

In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by Alex Weingarten, partner at Venable LLP, where he is a commercial trial lawyer who represents clients in all facets of entertainment, probate and business litigation. Today’s celebrity example is Aretha Franklin; we discussed her estate in episode 8 and at that time it … Continue reading Ep 47 – Aretha Franklin: Loose Ends Can Unravel Your Estate –– With Alex Weingarten →

David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by Jeff Fishman, founder and managing member of JSF Financial, a financial firm that specializes in working with high profile clients and those in the entertainment industry. Unlike our other episodes focusing on the estates of celebrities who have passed, this episode is all about advising those … Continue reading Ep 46 – Advising Entertainment Industry Clients →