Janis Joplin
Janis Joplin was all about life. Her music, and her lifestyle, showed off energy and movement, and it didn’t end when she stopped moving in 1970. Her electric stage presence had people partying at all of her concerts, but she also wanted a party at her favorite pub after she died.
This is why, in her will, she left two and a half grand for an all-night party. This famous singer probably had lots of friends – would that much money cover all of it? Don’t worry about it. $2,500 from 1970 is worth almost seventeen thousand dollars today. More than enough for one last big bash.
John B. Kelly
John B. Kelly, a three-time gold medalist, was a practical man. His big success led to his daughter, the legendary Grace Kelly, having the spotlight on her from an early age, which led to her success at Hollywood, and her love life success as well: she married a prince of Monaco and was thus a real-life princess.
In John B. Kelly's will, he wrote a special request right to her, straight from his practical nature. He asked that she “not bankrupt the Principality of Monaco with the bills about her clothing.” Nobody but a dad could give such good advice in such a backhanded way.
Farrah Fawcett
When this famous angel-faced actress finally left our world, she left everything to her son, Redmond Fawcett O'Neal. She also left some to her father, her nephew, and even her ex, but one notable name was left off the list: husband Ryan O'Neal. It shouldn't be surprising, based on what rumors about O'Neal have been floating around when he was still alive.
It's been said that he was violent and manipulative, and the details included in Fawcett's will seem to point to these facts, though of course, it doesn't say anything outright. It must have been a huge slap in the face to O'Neal, though if the rumors are true, he certainly deserved it.
Alexander McQueen
A genius fashion designer might not have the most high-profile life, but a good one – like Alexander McQueen – is going to accumulate plenty of dough if his designs see enough play. So who did McQueen leave his fortune to? The models that he worked with the most? His romantic partners?
His children, perhaps? Well, if he had any, they might have gotten some cash, but the most interesting part of this fashion designer's will was that he left seventy-five thousand dollars to care for his dogs. This money went for housing, feeding, grooming, and training, and more, until the dogs too passed away.
Elenor E. Ritchey
While fashion designer Alexander McQueen might have left $75,000 to care for his dogs after they passed, rich heiress Eleanor E. Ritchey took it a step further. Actually, a lot of steps further. A marathon further. When she died in 1968, she left her entire four-point-five million dollar fortune to her dogs.
How could dogs possibly use that much money, which about equals thirty-three and a half million dollars in today's money? The answer is simple. Ritchey had a lot of dogs. Far too many dogs. We're looking at somewhere in the realm of a hundred and fifty dogs. Ritchey, why did you have so many dogs?