David Bowie’s Will

Late musician David Bowie’s will was recently submitted to probate.

Other than how his remains should be handled the will contains little that is unusual.

As a musician and performer David Bowie was always unique. Depending on a person’s point of view, Bowie could even at times have been considered weird or bizarre.

This made for some speculation that his estate plan might also be unique or strange.

However, his will has been submitted to probate and the disposition of his estate is normal. The estate is estimated to be worth $100 million, but the will does not contain a breakdown of Bowie’s assets.

He directed that his wife should receive half of the estate, including his New York apartment. Twenty-five percent of the estate was left to his minor daughter through a trust. The remaining 25 percent is to go to his son from a previous marriage. Bowie also included small bequests to a couple of friends.

The New York Times reported on the will in “David Bowie’s Will Splits Estate Said to Be Worth $100 Million.”

The only unusual aspect of Bowie’s will is how he would like his remains treated. In the 1980s, he vacationed with Iggy Pop in Bali. He fell in love with it and asked that, if possible, his remains be transported there to be cremated and disposed of according to Bali’s Buddhist rites. If it is not possible to have his body cremated there, he at least wanted his ashes spread there.

At this point no one has challenged Bowie’s will and it does not appear that any challenges are expected. In the end, it appears this is a case of a rather ordinary will of a truly unique individual.

Reference: New York Times (Jan. 29, 2016) “David Bowie’s Will Splits Estate Said to Be Worth $100 Million.”