Famous Wills
- Napolean Bonaparte (1769-1821) – The Emperor of France lived a life of triumph and tragedy. He gave his son his military articles, Lady Holland an antique cameo, and to thirty other benficiaries lump sums of money. He also gave words of encouragement to friends such as building a home, marrying a widow, or to write the history of French diplomacy.
- Benjamin Franklin (1706 – 1790) – Mr. Franklin gave land in Nova Scotia and books and papers to his son William; his home in Philadelphia, land near Ohio, and paintings studded in diamonds to his daughter Sarah and her husband Richard; a home in Boston to his sister; all his land in Georgia to his grandson; all philosophy materials to a friend; all printing materials to his other grandson; he also bequeathed large sums of money to many different schools and organizations.
- Richard Nixon (1913-1994) – He leaves many assets to his library, his foundation, and other charitable pledges; he also leaves all items with historical significance to his library; he leaves his personal diaries and his residual estate to his daughters; and he leaves lump sums of money to grandchildren.
- John F. Kennedy Jr. (1960-1999) – John F. Kennedy, Jr. planned to leave the bulk of his estate to his wife, Caroline Bessette-Kennedy, but they died together in a plane crash without leaving any children. Therefore, his property will go to the children of his sister.
- Princess Diana (1961-1997) – Princess Diana left her fortune to her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry in trust. She also sets aside personal items for her godchildren.
- Walt Disney (1901-1966) - He left half of his wealth to his family with the other half going to a charitable foundation.
- Harry Helmsley (1909 -1997) – The billionaire real estate tycoon who owned the Empire State Building and many of New York City’s posh hotels left his entire estate to his wife, Leona Helmsley.
- Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962) – The famous movie starlet left sums of money, personal effects and clothing to her many friends.
- Linda McCartney (1942-1998) – She left her fortune to her husband Paul and set up a trust that makes her estate virtually exempt from taxes.
- Elvis Presley (1935-1977) - The King left much of his fortune to members of his family.
- John Lennon (1940-1980) – The Beatles’ inspiration left his possessions to Yoko Ono.
- Frank Sinatra (1915-1998) – He gave sums of money to his wife and former wives, and his children.
- Jerry Garcia (1942-1995) – The estate and his second wife are still fighting in court. He gave his friends and family gifts including his guitars.
- Michael Jackson (1958-2009) – The King of Pop placed most of his assets into a family trust and the beneficiaries are his children, nieces and nephews.
- Babe Ruth (1895-1948) – The home run king established and endowed the Babe Ruth Foundation.
- Joe DiMaggio (1914-1999) – “The Yankee Clipper” set up trusts for Joseph Jr., his grandchildren Katherine and Paula, and his great-grandchildren, Kendall and Mitchell Stein, and Valerie and Vanessa Hamra. The remainder of DiMaggio’s estate will be divided among his son and his two grandchildren.