The world of fashion is abuzz with the news that Karl Lagerfeld's will is being contested, sparking a heated debate over the designer's €200 million fortune. But here's where it gets controversial: the beneficiaries of his will are his assistant, godson, and two male models, leaving his family, including his nieces and nephews, out in the cold. This unexpected turn of events has left many scratching their heads, wondering what led to such a decision. And this is the part most people miss: Lagerfeld's will, finalized in April 2016, was a carefully crafted document that reflected his unique perspective on life and love, or should we say, revenge. 'I know revenge is mean and horrible,' he once said, 'but I see no reason why I shouldn’t do something back if somebody has done something bad to me.'
Lagerfeld's logic was as sharp as his fashion sense, and it seems his will was no exception. The designer's death in 2019, at the age of 85, marked the end of an era in the fashion world. But it also brought to light a complex web of relationships and a will that has left many questioning its fairness. 'Everyone knew that he could be very heartless and cold,' said Sabine Röthig, a fashion expert and journalist. 'He would drop people because something no longer suited him.'
The beneficiaries of his will, Sébastien Jondeau, Hudson Kroenig, and Brad Kroenig, were seemingly chosen for their close relationship with Lagerfeld. But what about his family? His nieces and nephews, who are his only living relatives, stand to benefit from an annulment of the will, which would see the designer's wealth re-distributed among his next of kin. 'This was the only person who knew about his illness, the person who held his hand at his bedside and the only person who knows where his ashes were scattered,' Röthig added. 'Lagerfeld wanted to disappear from the world just as he had arrived and I think that symbolises a lot.'
The dispute over Lagerfeld's will is not the only legal challenge surrounding his estate. The tax authorities believe his primary residence was in Paris and not in Monaco as he had claimed, resulting in an unpaid tax bill of between €20 and 40 million. This adds another layer of complexity to an already tangled situation. So, what do you think? Do you agree with the beneficiaries of Lagerfeld's will, or do you think his family should be entitled to a share of his fortune? Let us know in the comments below!
