Imagine a world where a beloved pet inherits a fortune, while blood relatives are left with nothing. This is the dramatic scenario unfolding around the legacy of fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld, whose €200 million estate has sparked a fierce legal battle. But here's where it gets controversial... While his family was seemingly forgotten, Lagerfeld's will generously provided for his 'real family'—his assistant, teenage godson, and two male models. Now, years after his death, an unknown plaintiff is challenging the will, potentially reshaping the fate of his fortune.
Lagerfeld, known for his sharp wit and unapologetic views, once declared sweatpants a sign of defeat and likened his signature sunglasses to a burka. Yet, his stance on revenge was surprisingly calculated. 'I know revenge is mean and horrible,' he admitted, 'but if someone wrongs me, I see no reason not to strike back—even years later, when they least expect it.' This sentiment seems to echo in his will, which left his biological family empty-handed.
And this is the part most people miss... Under French inheritance law, where Lagerfeld lived and died, his nieces and nephews—his only living relatives—could stand to inherit his wealth if the will is annulled. The dispute, revealed by the executor of his estate, Christian Boisson, has reignited questions about Lagerfeld's enigmatic persona. Sabine Röthig, a fashion expert, notes, 'He was known for being heartless, cutting ties with people when they no longer suited him.'
Yet, Lagerfeld had a softer side, reserved for his beloved cat, Choupette. Before his death, he ensured her lavish lifestyle by gifting his housekeeper, Françoise Caçote, a house and $1.5 million to care for the pampered feline. Choupette dined on Chinese porcelain, slept on Chanel garments, and even had her own Louis Vuitton handbag. Lagerfeld once quipped, 'She’s like a kept woman. She has lunch and dinner with me, eats her own food, and sleeps under a pillow. She even knows how to use an iPad.'
While Choupette’s luxury is secure, the beneficiaries of Lagerfeld’s will—his assistant Sébastien Jondeau, godson Hudson Kroenig, and models Brad Kroenig and Baptiste Giabiconi—may face uncertainty. Jondeau, in particular, was Lagerfeld’s closest confidant, the only one who knew about his illness and the location of his ashes. 'Lagerfeld wanted to disappear as mysteriously as he arrived,' Röthig reflects, 'and that says a lot about him.'
Here’s where it gets even more complicated... Lagerfeld’s biological family, though distant, could still inherit. His sisters, Christiane and Thea, predeceased him, leaving their children as potential heirs. Christiane’s daughter, Caroline Wilcox, even had her wedding dress designed by Lagerfeld in 1992. Yet, the family ties were strained. Lagerfeld last saw Christiane in 1974, and none of his U.S.-based relatives were invited to the 2023 Met Gala, which celebrated his legacy. Roger Johnson, one of his nephews, has stated he’d likely decline any inheritance due to their lack of relationship.
Adding to the drama, French tax authorities are disputing Lagerfeld’s claim that his primary residence was in Monaco, alleging unpaid taxes of €20-40 million. This legal battle further complicates the distribution of his estate.
But here’s the real question... Was Lagerfeld’s will a final act of defiance against societal norms, or a reflection of his true priorities? Did he value loyalty and companionship over blood ties? And should the law allow such a will to stand, or should family always come first? Share your thoughts in the comments—this is one fashion feud that’s far from over.
