Legal Claws Emerge Over Karl Lagerfeld's Multi-Million Euro Fortune
A significant legal dispute has surfaced concerning the substantial estate of the late fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld, valued at approximately €200 million. Reports indicate that an unknown plaintiff is contesting the designer's will, which primarily benefits members of his inner circle and his famously pampered cat, Choupette. This development could potentially see a redistribution of assets to Lagerfeld's surviving blood relatives under the strict provisions of French inheritance law.
The Contentious Will and Its Beneficiaries
According to documentation finalised in April 2016, Lagerfeld's will bequeaths the majority of his fortune to several key individuals from his personal and professional life. The primary beneficiaries include his long-time assistant Sébastien Jondeau, his godson Hudson Kroenig, and models Brad Kroenig and Baptiste Giabiconi. Lagerfeld, who passed away in Paris in February 2019 at the age of 85, had publicly stated on multiple occasions that he considered himself to have "no family at all", having been estranged from his relatives for decades.
Choupette's Extravagant Legacy
Perhaps the most famous beneficiary is Lagerfeld's beloved Birman cat, Choupette, who has been placed under the care of his former housekeeper Françoise Caçote. The feline's inheritance reportedly includes a house with a garden and a substantial sum of $1.5 million. Choupette, now 14 years old, enjoyed an extraordinarily lavish lifestyle during Lagerfeld's lifetime, complete with private jet travel in a Louis Vuitton carrier, a personal bodyguard, a dedicated chef, and two maids. Her daily meals consisted of four specially prepared dishes served in elegant bowls, and she maintains a significant social media presence with over 270,000 followers on her dedicated Instagram account.
French Inheritance Law Complications
The legal challenge centres on French inheritance regulations, which could potentially annul Lagerfeld's will and mandate a redistribution of his estate to his next of kin. As Lagerfeld lived and died in Paris, French law applies to his estate. The designer had no children, and both of his sisters predeceased him, meaning any successful contestation would benefit his surviving nieces and nephews. Executor Christian Boisson has reportedly notified these relatives about the ongoing legal proceedings, though they have historically been excluded from Lagerfeld's glittering fashion world.
Estranged Family Dynamics
Lagerfeld's relationship with his family was notably distant. He last saw his sister Christiane in 1974 and maintained minimal contact with her children, who he claimed "never even send me a Christmas card". Despite this estrangement, he did design his niece Caroline Wilcox's wedding dress in 1992, which was famously flown to Connecticut on Concorde. His American relatives, including nephew Roger Johnson who works as a long-haul truck driver, have expressed little expectation of inheritance and maintain modest lifestyles far removed from the fashion industry's opulence.
Potential Outcomes and Fashion Legacy Implications
This legal battle represents more than just a financial dispute; it touches upon Lagerfeld's carefully constructed legacy and personal philosophy. The famously formidable designer, who revitalised Chanel after joining in 1983, deliberately chose to reward those who were part of his daily life rather than distant blood relations. The outcome could set significant precedents for inheritance cases involving international figures with complex family situations and substantial assets. While Choupette's luxurious lifestyle appears secure for now, the final distribution of Lagerfeld's €200 million fortune remains uncertain as French courts consider the competing claims.
