Karl Lagerfeld's €200 Million Will Challenged, Nieces and Nephews Could Inherit

Legal Battle Brews Over Fashion Icon's Estate

Seven years after the passing of legendary German-born fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, his last will and testament, valued at an estimated €200 million, is facing a legal challenge from an unnamed plaintiff. The dispute could potentially redirect a significant portion of his fortune to his estranged nieces and nephews, who were initially excluded from the will.

Lagerfeld, who died on February 19, 2019, at the age of 85 in Paris, had drafted his will on April 29, 2016. It designated a select group of confidants as beneficiaries, including his long-time assistant and bodyguard Sébastien Jondeau, his godson Hudson Kroenig, and models Brad Kroenig and Baptiste Giabiconi.

Potential Shift in Inheritance

The estate's executor, Christian Boisson, has reportedly informed Lagerfeld's surviving nieces and nephews that they could inherit millions if the challenge proves successful. Under French inheritance law, which is relevant as Lagerfeld resided and died in Paris, next of kin are generally designated as rightful heirs. Lagerfeld had no spouse or children, and his two sisters, Christiane Johnson and Thea von der Schulenburg, predeceased him.

The designer was known to be estranged from his blood relatives, having famously stated in 2015 that he had 'no family at all' and had not seen some of his nieces for decades. Despite this, if the will is annulled, the children of his late sisters could become beneficiaries.

Choupette's Future Remains Secure

Amidst the legal complexities surrounding the will, the well-being of Lagerfeld's beloved Birman cat, Choupette, remains unaffected. Lagerfeld had made separate, pre-mortem arrangements for Choupette's continued luxurious lifestyle. These provisions include a dedicated house, a garden, and care by his former housekeeper, Françoise Caçote, along with a substantial sum, reportedly around $1.5 million, for her upkeep. This arrangement is considered distinct from the main will and is not subject to the current legal challenge.

Additional Financial Complications

Adding to the estate's challenges, French financial authorities are reportedly pursuing a separate claim for up to €40 million in back taxes. This stems from a dispute over Lagerfeld's primary residence, with authorities contending it was in Paris rather than Monaco, a known tax haven, as he had claimed.