When a loved one passes there is always a sense of loss. There will be a hole that no one else can fix. There are also a number of legal issues which can be difficult to navigate. Many people leave a will to help clear up some of the confusion. If you're a person of means, you may split up your wealth to various family members or friends. Often times a person will leave their money to charity.
Karl Lagerfeld passed away on February 19. The 85-year-old fashion icon had skipped many events in recent months, but his passing still came as a shock.
Lagerfeld was the creative genius behind Chanel for over 30 years and is considered one of the most prolific designers in history. His long and celebrated career working at two of fashion's biggest houses earned him a great deal of wealth, almost $200 million.
With no spouse or children, Lagerfeld's estate will be divided up among those he loved most, but anyone who knows anything about Karl Lagerfeld knows there's one thing he loved more than anything else: his cat, Choupette.
"There is no marriage, yet, for human beings and animals," the designer said during a 2013 interview. "I never thought that I would fall in love like this with a cat." Lagerfeld had repeatedly referred to his feline companion as an "heiress."
French newspaper Le Figaro claims that German law (Lagerfeld was born and raised in Germany) might entitle the cat to his fortune, providing she was listed as an heir.
In a 2018 interview, Lagerfeld seemed to imply that his fortune would go, at least in part, to his cat. When asked about his previous statements describing Choupette as an heir he said:
"Among others, yes, don't worry, there's enough for everyone."
Lagerfeld certainly has a will, although it may take time for it's contents to be made public.
Some legal experts have said that it's impossible for Lagerfeld to have left money to his cat, although he may enable someone to hold an amount in trust, with the understanding it be used to care for Choupette.
Choupette isn't a stranger to luxury. She's been spoiled by her rich and eccentric owner, but also boasts her own Instagram with over 100,000 followers.
Don't worry, it's okay to be jealous of a cat.