Seven years after his death, a legal challenge has been launched against the will of the late German-born Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld, potentially overturning his final wishes regarding his estimated €200m (£170m) fortune. An unnamed plaintiff has come forward to contest the will, and the estate's executor, Christian Boisson, has informed Lagerfeld's surviving nieces and nephews that they could inherit if the case succeeds, according to German media reports.
Lagerfeld, who died in 2019 aged 85, had no spouse, children or surviving siblings. His will, dated 29 April 2016, excluded the children of his deceased sisters, leaving his wealth to a small circle of confidants believed to include his assistant Sébastien Jondeau, his godson Hudson Kroenig, and models Brad Kroenig and Baptiste Giabiconi. Giabiconi has described himself as 'at the top' of the inheritance list.
The German magazine Bunte reported that Boisson wrote to the descendants of Lagerfeld's late sisters, Christiane Johnson and Thea von der Schulenburg, stating: 'The interpretation of the will is being contested. At present, the rights of the heirs are therefore uncertain.' The plaintiff must argue that Lagerfeld was not of sound mind when he signed the will. French and Monegasque law, which generally designate next of kin as rightful heirs, would apply as Lagerfeld maintained his primary residence in Monaco.
Lagerfeld's beloved cat, Choupette, is unaffected by the dispute. The designer had already provided for her care by bequeathing a home, garden and bank account to his housekeeper Françoise Caçote before his death, a gift considered beyond legal challenge. Choupette, a 14-year-old white Birman, lives a life of luxury with porcelain dishes, Chanel fabrics and Louis Vuitton carriers, and has her own Instagram account with 278,000 followers.
Lagerfeld's fortune includes luxury properties in Paris and Biarritz, a sizeable stock portfolio, and collections of art and rare books. He was estranged from his relatives in his later years; a 2023 BBC documentary revealed he had not seen one niece in five decades. Another niece, an American, told the film-makers she expected nothing from her late uncle, despite him designing her wedding dress for free.
This is not the first threat to Lagerfeld's estate. German newspaper Bild reported that French tax authorities have demanded up to €40m in back taxes, arguing his actual primary residence was in France, not Monaco.
