Rock and roll icon Marianne Faithfull, famed for her 1960s hit 'As Tears Go By' and her relationship with Mick Jagger, finds herself at the centre of a bitter inheritance dispute over a valuable £1.5 million estate in the picturesque Devon countryside.
The Axminster Inheritance Controversy
The legal drama unfolded when Faithfull's cousin, Francis Faithfull, launched a High Court challenge claiming he was unjustly excluded from his aunt's will. The contested inheritance includes a substantial property portfolio in Axminster and surrounding assets that have been in the Faithfull family for generations.
Francis Faithfull argues that his aunt, Mrs. Eva Faithfull, had promised him he would inherit the family estate. Court documents reveal he claims to have been 'morally entitled' to the property based on longstanding family discussions and his relationship with his aunt.
A Family Fortune Divided
The disputed assets include:
- A significant Axminster property valued at approximately £1.5 million
- Additional land and investments in the Devon area
- Family heirlooms and personal possessions
- Cash assets accumulated over decades
Marianne Faithfull, now 77, inherited the estate following her aunt's passing, but the legal challenge has thrown the distribution of the family wealth into uncertainty.
Legal Battle Reaches High Court
The case has progressed to the Royal Courts of Justice in London, where both parties are preparing for what could become a protracted legal fight. Legal experts suggest the case highlights the importance of clear estate planning and the emotional complexities that can arise when family promises collide with legal documentation.
Faithfull's legal team maintains that the will was properly executed and reflects her aunt's true wishes. They argue that Francis Faithfull's claims of verbal promises lack the legal standing to override the formally documented will.
From Rock Star to Inheritance Defendant
The case adds another dramatic chapter to Marianne Faithfull's extraordinary life story. From her early success as a pop sensation to her well-documented struggles and remarkable career renaissance, Faithfull has rarely been far from the public eye.
Now, instead of focusing on her musical career or recent health challenges, the singer finds herself navigating the complex world of probate law and family disputes.
The outcome of this inheritance battle could have significant implications for how family promises are treated in English inheritance law, particularly when they conflict with formal legal documents.
