Celebrity Wills

(1914-1999)

The Last Will and Testament of Joseph P. DiMaggio, Pt. II

ARTICLE VIII
SIMULTANEOUS DEATH

In the event any beneficiary and I die simultaneously or under such circumstances that there is not sufficient evidence that we died other than simultaneously, said beneficiary shall be considered, for the purposes of the operation of my will, to have predeceased me.
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(1895-1948)

The Will of Babe Ruth

“The Sultan of Swats” grew up in an institution for underprivileged boys. Dominating baseball as a home run hitter, Ruth became a national celebrity. Famous for his charitable deeds, he once promised to hit a homer for a hospitalized boy. A year before he died, he established and endowed the Babe Ruth Foundation for destitute children.

I, GEORGE HERMAN RUTH, being of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding, but mindful of the uncertainty of life, do hereby make, declare and publish this to be my Last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all other wills and codicils thereto be me at any time heretofore made.

FIRST: I direct my Executors hereinafter named to pay all my just debts and funeral expenses as soon after my death as may be practicable. [Read more...]

(1769-1821)

The Will of Napolean

This 15th April, 1821, at Longwood, Island of St. Helena. This is my Testament, or act of my last will.

1. I DIE in the Apostolical Roman religion, in the bosom of which I was born more than fifty years since.

2. It is my wish that my ashes may repose on the banks of the Seine, in the midst of the French people, whom I have loved so well.

3. I have always had reason to be pleased with my dearest wife, Maria Louisa. I retain for her, to my last moment, the most tender sentiments—I beseech her to watch, in order to preserve, my son from the snares which yet environ his infancy. [Read more...]

(1935-1977)

The Will of Elvis Presley

Known as “The King,” Presley sold more than 45 million records and starred in 33 motion pictured. He left much of his vast fortune to members of his family.

Last Will And Testament Of Elvis A. Presley, Deceased Filed August 22, 1977

Last Will And Testament of Elvis Presley

I, Elvis A. Presley, a resident and citizen of Shelby County, Tennessee, being of sound mind and disposing memory, do hereby make, publish and declare this instrument to be my last will and testament, hereby revoking any and all wills and codicils by me at any time heretofore made.

Item I
Debts, Expenses and Taxes

I direct my Executor, hereinafter named, to pay all of my matured debts and my funeral expenses, as well as the costs and expenses of the administration of my estate, as soon after my death as practicable. I further direct that all estate, inheritance, transfer and succession taxes which are payable by reason under this will, be paid out of my residuary estate; and I hereby waive on behalf of my estate any right to recover from any person any part of such taxes so paid. My Executor, in his sole discretion, may pay from my domiciliary estate all or any portion of the costs of ancillary administration and similar proceedings in other jurisdictions. [Read more...]

(1929-1994)

The Will of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

As first lady, Onassis planned the restoration of the White House and urged Congress to declare it a national museum. The art and personal possessions she collected have fetched large sums in recent years at celebrity auctions.

I, JACQUELINE K. ONASSIS, of the City, County and State of New York, do make, publish and declare this to be my Last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all wills and codicils at any time heretofore made by me.

FIRST: A. I give and bequeath to my friend RACHEL (BUNNY) L. MELLON, if she survives me, in appreciation of her designing the Rose Garden in the White House my Indian miniature “Lovers watching rain clouds,” Kangra, about 1780, if owned by me at the time of my death, and my large Indian miniature with giltwood frame “Gardens of the Palace of the Rajh,” a panoramic view of a pink walled garden blooming with orange flowers, with the Rajh being entertained in a pavilion by musicians and dancers, if owned by me at the time of my death. [Read more...]

(1914-1999)

The Last Will and Testament of Joseph P. DiMaggio

I, JOSEPH P. DIMAGGIO, of the City of Hollywood, County of Broward and State of Florida, being of sound and disposing mind and memory do hereby make, publish and declare this to be my Last Will and Testament, hereby revoking any and all Wills and Codicils by me heretofore made.

ARTICLE I
STATEMENT ON FAMILY MEMBERS

I am not married, and I have one adult child and two (2) grandchildren, to wit: my son, JOSEPH PAUL DIMAGGIO, JR., and my grandchildren, KATHERINE MARIE DIMAGGIO and PAULA SUE DIMAGGIO, both of whom are adopted children of my said son. [Read more...]

(1940-1980)

The Will of John Lennon

The Beatles’ singer, songwriter and guitarist, who sang “imagine no possessions” in the popular hit “Imagine,” left most of his property to an estate controlled by his wife, Yoko Ono.

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF JOHN WINSTON ONO LENNON

I, JOHN WINSTON ONO LENNON, a resident of the County of New York, State of New York, which I declare to be my domicile do hereby make, publish and declare this to be my Last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all other Wills, Codicils and Testamentary dispositions by me at any time heretofore made.

FIRST: The expenses of my funeral and the administration of my estate, and all inheritance, estate or succession taxes, including interest and penalties, payable by reason of my death shall be paid out of and charged generally against the principal of my residuary estate without apportionment or proration. My Executor shall not seek contribution or reimbursement for any such payments.

SECOND: Should my wife survive me, I give, devise and bequeath to her absolutely, an amount equal to that portion of my residuary estate, the numerator and denominator of which shall be determined as follows: [Read more...]

(1926-1962)

The Will of Marilyn Monroe

The legendary sex symbol, who tragically committed suicide in 1962, left most of her fortunes to her friends and family.

I, MARILYN MONROE, do make, publish and declare this to be my Last Will and Testament.

FIRST: I hereby revoke all former Wills and Codicils by me made.

SECOND: I direct my Executor, hereinafter named, to pay all of my just debts, funeral expenses and testamentary charges as soon after my death as can conveniently be done.

THIRD: I direct that all succession, estate or inheritance taxes which may be levied against my estate and/or against any legacies and/or devises hereinafter set forth shall be paid out of my residuary estate. [Read more...]

(1913-1994)

The Will of Richard Nixon

The only president to resign from office gave specific instructions for the handling and disposal of personal notes and records.

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF RICHARD M. NIXON

I, RICHARD M. NIXON, residing in the Borough of Park Ridge, County of Bergen and State of New Jersey, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do hereby make, publish and declare this to be my Last Will and Testament, revoking all prior Wills and codicils.

ARTICLE ONE

I give and bequeath to THE RICHARD NIXON LIBRARY AND BIRTHPLACE (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the “Library”) for its uses, an amount equal to the “adjusted proceeds amount” (as hereinafter defined) ; provided, however, that if there are any outstanding and unpaid amounts on pledges I have made to the Library, including, specifically, any amounts unpaid on the One Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollar pledge made in 1993, then the adjusted proceeds amount under this bequest shall be paid first directly to the Library to the extent necessary to satisfy such charitable pledge or pledges, and provided further, that if at the time of my death or distribution the Library is not an organization described in Sections 170(c) and 2055(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), which would entitle the estate to a charitable deduction for Federal Estate Tax purposes, I give and bequeath such property to THE NIXON BIRTHPLACE FOUNDATION, provided further, if THE NIXON BIRTHPLACE FOUNDATION is not then an organization described in Sections 170(c) and 2055(a) of the Code, I give and bequeath such property to such organization or organizations described in said Sections of the Code in such shares as my executors shall designate by written and acknowledged instrument filed within six months from the date of my death with the clerk of the court in which this Will shall have been admitted to probate. [Read more...]

(1901-1966)

Last Will and Testament Of Walter E. Disney

I, WALTER E. DISNEY, a resident of Los Angeles County, California, declare this to be my Last Will and revoke all former Wills and Codicils.

FIRST: I declare that I am married to LILLIAN B. DISNEY and that I have only two children, namely, DIANE DISNEY MILLER and SHARON DISNEY BROWN.

SECOND: It is my intention to dispose by this Will of my one-half (1/2) of the community property of my wife and myself and of all my separate property, if any. I do not undertake to dispose of my wife’s one-half (1/2) of our community property. [Read more...]