Choupette, once the world's wealthiest cat, has been left without a penny despite inheriting £1.13 million from her owner, fashion legend Karl Lagerfeld. The reasons behind this are extraordinarily complicated.
A Lavish Life Turned Modest
Choupette, a blue-cream Birman cat, was Lagerfeld's cherished companion before his death in 2019 at age 85. Born in 2011, she became a global style icon known for her lavish lifestyle: traveling by private jet, dining from bone china, and attended by two personal maids. Upon his death, Lagerfeld left a will intending for Choupette to receive a considerable share of his multimillion-dollar fortune.
However, several years later, Choupette hasn't seen a single penny. The estate remains entangled in a lengthy dispute with French tax authorities. Françoise Caçote, Lagerfeld's former housekeeper entrusted with Choupette, told The Atlantic they've received nothing, adding she works part-time just to support the cat.
Tax Dispute and Legal Hurdles
Lagerfeld's estate is locked in a drawn-out battle with French tax authorities, blocking distributions to beneficiaries, according to The Daily Mail. Key intended recipients include long-serving assistant Sébastien Jondeau, godson Hudson Kroenig, and models Brad Kroenig and Baptiste Giabiconi.
Adding to the complexity, an anonymous claimant alleges Lagerfeld lacked mental capacity when signing his will. If a court invalidates the will under French inheritance law, the estate would go to surviving nieces and nephews, whom Lagerfeld had distanced himself from.
Even if the tax dispute resolves, non-family beneficiaries face inheritance tax rates up to 60%, according to Bloomberg Tax. Since pets are legally property, the funds were intended for Caçote to cover Choupette's care.
Caretaker's Struggle
Caçote has hired lawyers at her own expense to pursue the claim. "Given the situation's complexity, I have had to hire expensive lawyers to claim the inheritance in my name and ensure Karl's wishes are respected," she said, according to IBT.
Choupette now lives in a Parisian flat with Caçote, her husband, and children—a modest life compared to her former glamour. There is no timeline for when funds may be released.
