Aretha Franklin’s niece discovered two handwritten documents whose authenticity has been debated for years.
When the queen of soul music Aretha Franklin died on August 16, 2018 of pancreatic cancer, he was not believed to have left any kind of will. BBC-magazine, the suspicions evaporated after nine months.
At that time, the singer’s niece Sabrina Owens found two documents that looked like testaments. The text found in 2010 was in a desk drawer, and the document written in 2014 was again between the sofa cushions.
The discovery in question has caused Franklin’s three children to argue about the artist’s true last wish. His mother worked as a guitarist I did thought Franklin would not have written his will by hand. His brother Kecalf and Edward again suspect that Ted wants to rob them of their inheritance, and considered the 2014 text to be genuine and true.
Aretha Franklin gave birth to her two oldest children when she was only 12 and 14 years old. CNP/AdMedia/SIPA/Shutterstock
Eldest son Clarence did not take part in the controversy because he is under guardianship. Franklin’s fortune is believed to have been around 80 million dollars at the time of his death, excluding unpaid taxes, of course.
On Tuesday, July 11, a jury ended the family’s nearly five-year dispute. The court saw that the latter will is valid and authentic. As a result, Kecalf and his children will receive their mother’s estate worth more than a million euros, while the musician’s money and royalties will be divided between the eldest children.
What is known about the 2010 will is that it would have divided the property more evenly on the condition that Kecalf and Edward had taken business courses and obtained a degree or other education. Otherwise, they would not have received their share of the inheritance.
The resting place of the artist, who died at the age of 76, is located in Detroit’s Woodlawn Cemetery. The award-winning singer is known, among other things, as the first female musician to be named to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In addition, more than 75 million copies of his records have been sold worldwide.
Franklin is known for songs, among other things I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You), (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman and I Say a Little Prayer but by far his most famous hit was published in 1967 Respect.
Aretha Franklin’s last wish will finally come true. Erik Pendzich / Alamy Stock Photo