Celebrity Estates: Wills of the Rich and Famous
Business & Economics Podcasts
Welcome to the Celebrity Estates podcast. In this podcast we break down high profile celebrity estate planning cases for advisors and their clients. Most celebrity estate catastrophes are based on the same issues that everyday people face, just with the volume turned up. Our goal is to identify and extract the individual estate planning issues that lie at the heart of each story. We then discuss what advisors should expect and how to avoid common pitfalls.
Location:
United States
Description:
Welcome to the Celebrity Estates podcast. In this podcast we break down high profile celebrity estate planning cases for advisors and their clients. Most celebrity estate catastrophes are based on the same issues that everyday people face, just with the volume turned up. Our goal is to identify and extract the individual estate planning issues that lie at the heart of each story. We then discuss what advisors should expect and how to avoid common pitfalls.
Language:
English
Contact:
(866) 505-7173
Email:
USERCARE@INFORMA.COM
Episodes
Celebrity Estates: The John Amos Estate Dispute with Michael Napoleone
10/27/2025
Family drama doesn’t end when the spotlight fades. On this episode of the Celebrity Estates podcast, litigator Michael Napoleone joins Wealthmanagement.com Senior Editor David Lenok to unpack the bitter dispute over actor John Amos’s estate, and what it reveals about aging, trust and family dynamics. From allegations of elder abuse and undue influence to sibling … Read More Read More
Duration:00:22:45
Celebrity Estates: Updating Estate Plans Through Life’s Milestones
10/20/2025
Life changes, and your estate plan should change with it. Attorney Matthew Erskine joins the Celebrity Estates podcast to explain why estate planning is never a “set it and forget it” process, but a lifelong practice that evolves alongside major milestones. Matthew walks through key life events from marriage and divorce to relocation and retirement … Read More Read More
Duration:00:34:08
Celebrity Estates: Giorgio Armani’s $12B Legacy and Succession Plan
9/29/2025
Giorgio Armani left behind more than fashion when he passed away at 91. His $12 billion empire, absence of direct heirs and a carefully crafted foundation raise essential estate planning lessons that extend beyond celebrity headlines. Kevin Ghassomian, partner at Venable LLP, explains how Armani separated wealth from control, empowered trusted collaborators, and institutionalized his … Read More Read More
Duration:00:24:17
Celebrity Estates: Legacy Lessons from Ozzy Osbourne
9/22/2025
Ozzy Osbourne left behind more than music when he passed away at 76. His $250 million fortune, blended family and valuable music royalties raise pressing estate planning questions that extend far beyond celebrity headlines. Tasha Dickinson, partner at Day Pitney LLP, shares how advisors can address family conflict, use independent fiduciaries and manage complex assets … Read More Read More
Duration:00:35:10
Celebrity Estates: Blended Families, Disclaimers, and Hulk Hogan’s $25 Million Estate
8/27/2025
When wrestling legend Hulk Hogan passed away, he left behind more than a fortune; he left a tangled family web. In this episode, David Lenok talks with Lawrence D. Mandelker, Partner at Venable LLP, to discuss the estate challenges surrounding Hogan’s $25 million legacy. Together, they explore how blended families, strained relationships, and renounced inheritances … Read More Read More
Duration:00:27:16
Celebrity Estates: George Foreman and Legacy Planning
8/11/2025
In this episode of Celebrity Estates, host David Lenok welcomes Ian Freeman, founder of The Freeman Group and a Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Advisor, for a conversation inspired by the estate of legendary boxer and entrepreneur George Foreman. From naming all five of his sons “George Edward Foreman” to building a $300 million fortune, David … Read More Read More
Duration:00:34:35
Celebrity Estates: Lessons from Leonard Lauder’s Art Legacy with Oliver Pursche
7/28/2025
In this episode of Celebrity Estates, host David Lenok welcomes Oliver Pursche, senior vice president at Wealthspire Advisors, for a deep dive into the estate complexities surrounding Leonard Lauder’s famed art collection. From cubist masterpieces to staggering valuations, they explore how collectibles impact balance sheets, spark family conflict and raise nuanced estate planning questions. Here’s … Read More Read More
Duration:00:34:21
Celebrity Estates: The Art of Celebrity Auctions with Victoria Gray
6/23/2025
Victoria Gray, deputy chairman of Bonhams North America, has spent decades curating and managing some of the most iconic celebrity estate auctions. From U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s six homes to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s salt and pepper shakers, she reveals how intimate artifacts transform into coveted treasures worth thousands. With a blend of … Read More Read More
Duration:00:38:08
Celebrity Estates: First-Generation Wealth with George Stephano
5/27/2025
Leon Spinks shocked the world in 1978 when, in just his eighth professional fight, he defeated Muhammad Ali to become the undisputed heavyweight champion, a victory still regarded as one of boxing’s greatest upsets. Yet, despite his early success and multimillion-dollar earnings, financial missteps and the long-term effects of brain injuries would take a heavy … Read More Read More
Duration:00:26:23
Celebrity Estates: How Bob Marley’s Estate Took 30 Years to Settle
4/28/2025
When Bob Marley passed away in 1981, he left behind a musical legacy, but no estate plan. Due to his religious beliefs, Marley didn’t create a will, and what followed was a legal firestorm: forged documents, disputed signatures and a tangled web of allegations involving his wife, attorney and accountant. In this episode, David Lenok … Read More Read More
Duration:00:31:43
Celebrity Estates: Gene Hackman and Estate Planning While in Cognitive Decline
3/31/2025
After four decades of acting and winning multiple awards, Gene Hackman was found dead in his home at the age of 95, along with his wife and primary caretaker, Betsy Arakawa. Forensics uncovered that his wife predeceased him, leaving him to struggle with Alzheimer’s alone before passing away one week later. Join WealthManagement.com Senior Editor … Read More Read More
Duration:00:23:20
Celebrity Estates: All the President’s Money with Megan Gorman
2/24/2025
With Donald Trump appearing at his recent inauguration flanked by tech billionaires, the connection between presidents and the almighty dollar is more apparent than ever. However, Trump is not the only president with an interesting relationship with money. In this episode of the Celebrity Estates podcast, host David Lenok welcomes back Megan Gorman, a wealth … Read More Read More
Duration:00:31:15
Celebrity Estates: Jim Thorpe, Native Americans, and the Land Back Movement
12/16/2024
Jim Thorpe, revered as one of the greatest athletes in American history, exemplifies how personal wishes and legal rights can conflict posthumously. Thorpe’s estranged third wife, Patricia, moved his remains to a town in Pennsylvania, which now bears his name, in a bid to create a tourist attraction, a decision contested by his sons under … Read More Read More
Duration:00:41:41
Celebrity Estates: John Amos and Warning Signs of Elder Abuse in Estate Planning
11/25/2024
John Amos, an actor who starred in such television shows as Good Times, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The West Wing, is believed to have died from congestive heart failure, but his only daughter Shannon has doubts. She has accused her brother of elder abuse, including isolating Amos from others, impersonating him in communications … Read More Read More
Duration:00:24:27
Celebrity Estates: Shannen Doherty and The Importance of Timely Planning
10/7/2024
Shannen Doherty, a beloved actress, was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer, tragically caught too late for treatment. The day before her passing on July 13, 2024, she finalized her divorce from Kurt Iswarienko, ensuring her assets would be passed to her chosen beneficiaries. In this episode, David Lenok and guest Shawn Goheen stress the … Read More Read More
Duration:00:25:32
Celebrity Estates: Simon Cowell and Disinheritance in Estate Planning
7/22/2024
Simon Cowell, reality star and record producer, has an estimated net value worth of $600 million. How much of that will be left for his son? According to him, nothing. Listen in as host David Lenok is joined by Thomas Kopelman, head of community at Estate Planning platform wealth.com and co-founder of All Street Wealth. … Read More Read More
Duration:00:26:48
Celebrity Estates: The Gilded Age and Psychological Implications of Inherited Wealth
5/20/2024
Even celebrities aren’t free of the pitfalls of poor estate and legacy planning. With their lives and finances often in the spotlight, it can be easy to see where they fall short and how to avoid those same problems if you know where to look. Join David Lenok and his guest, psychologist and economist Eric … Read More Read More
Duration:00:44:09
Celebrity Estates: Steve Lockshin on Len Bias and NIL Deals in Estate Planning
4/29/2024
Len Bias was a star basketball player at the University of Maryland drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1986 and one step away from becoming a pro athlete. Unfortunately, he passed away just two days after being selected but before signing any MBS or sponsorship documents, leaving him and his family just out of reach … Read More Read More
Duration:00:26:11
Celebrity Estates: The National Football League and Lessons on Family Dynamics and Governance
3/25/2024
A close-knit network of family businesses, the NFL earns around $200 billion annually. On top of traditional family business within their individual branches, the NFL navigates those same financial planning connections between extended family members as well. Join David Lenok and his guest Alvina Lo, chief wealth strategist at Wilmington Trust, as they delve into … Read More Read More
Duration:00:38:58
REPLAY! Celebrity Estates: King Charles III and How International Heirs Impact Tax Planning
2/26/2024
When King Charles III was crowned, he had lived a life full of experiences at the age of 74. His heirs equally have lived their lives and made their own decisions, including his son Harry who has taken up residence in the US. This decision will impact how Harry’s inheritance will be taxed after his … Read More Read More
Duration:00:53:34