James Brown
The legendary singer ’ s last Will left his $ 100million fortune to a scholarship foundation for poor children in South Carolina and Georgia
Claims of the rich and famous
James Brown
Married four times and having fathered “ at least ” nine children , the Godfather of Soul ’ s estate has been fought over since his death on Christmas Day 2006 . The legendary singer ’ s last Will left his $ 100million fortune to a scholarship foundation for poor children in South Carolina and Georgia , under the name I Feel Good . But his own children and his fourth wife challenged the Will and won a settlement in 2009 . This declared that Tomi Rae Hynie , who was technically still married to someone else when she married Brown , was his legitimate spouse and entitled to a quarter of the estate , whilst another quarter would go to his adult children and the rest to the charity .
This angered trustees who say the star wanted his money to help the neediest children , not his own . They fought to reinstate the soul singer ’ s wishes and a February 2013 ruling allocated a greater proportion to charity .
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The legendary singer ’ s last Will left his $ 100million fortune to a scholarship foundation for poor children in South Carolina and Georgia
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The family couldn ’ t even agree what to do with Brown ’ s body . In 2011 Rolling Stone Magazine reported that Brown wanted to be buried at his South Carolina home , in a Graceland-like museum , but his children are storing his remains in a temporary crypt on daughter Deanna ’ s property . As The Guardian journalist Sean Michaels reported , “ there is still no news on which of Brown ’ s children inherited their father ’ s brand new bag .”
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James Brown and wife Tomi Rae