10
Let’s face it. We’re
all a bit nosey
and like to look
at celebrity Wills.
Here is a list of some
strange requests.
8
The Society of Will Writers
celebrity
wills &
odd requests
1.
Janis
Joplin
Recording artist and songwriter Janis Joplin, was
famous for her work in the 60s and 70s. She sadly met
a tragic death in 1970. Joplin’s Will inlcuded a gift of
$2,500 to be used for a party in the event she passed
away.
2.
Harry
Houdini
Harry Houdini was a famous magian and sadly died in
1926. In his Will he wrote 10 random words to his wife.
He wanted his wife to hold a séance every Halloween
after his death and instructed that he would
communicate with her through those 10 words. After
his passing, his wife held such séances every year for
10 years, eventually stopping since Houdini did not
make his presence known.
3.
Robert Louis
Stevenson
You can bequest anything you own in your Will and
Robert Louis Stevenson went one step further. When
he died he left his birthday to a friend whose birthday
fell on Christmas day because she felt cheated.
4.
Dusty
Springfield
The famous singer’s Will is sure to make you smile. In
it she directed that her cat, Nicholas, be fed imported
baby food, live in an indoor tree house, be sung to
sleep at night with Dusty’s old records, have his bed
lined with Dusty’s pillowcase and nightgown, and get
married to a friend’s female cat.
5.
Marilyn
Monroe
The fashion icon Monroe left all of her personal
effects to her acting coach, Lee Strasberg.
Apparently, all of her belongings sat in Lee’s
basement until the day he died.
6.
Mark
Gruenwald
Mark Gruenwald was the Executive Editor of Captain
America and Iron Man. He suffered a fatal heart attack
in 1996 and it was discovered in his Will that he wanted
to be cremated and wanted ashes to be mixed with ink
so that it could be used to print more comic books—
and they were.
7.
Napoleon
Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte is a name we’re all familiar with
but you may not know about an odd bequest in his
Will. After his death in 1821, his Will directed that his
head be shaved and his hair be distributed among his
friends.
8.
Leona
Helmsley
Leona was a hotel owner and caused quite a stir after
she died. She left £10m to her brother £5m to her
grandchildren and £12m to her dog!!
9.
Philip Seymour
Hoffman
The famous singer’s Will is sure to make you smile. In
it she directed that her cat, Nicholas, be fed imported
baby food, live in an indoor tree house, be sung to
sleep at night with Dusty’s old records, have his bed
lined with Dusty’s pillowcase and nightgown, and get
married to a friend’s female cat.
10.
Charles
Dickens
English author Charles Dickens was really
particular about his funeral. He picked out his
outfit for his memorial service, and he asked that
“those attending my funeral wear no scarf, cloak,
black bow, long hat-band, or other such revolting
absurdity”.
The Society of Will Writers
9