The Mystery Surrounding Whitney Houston’s Estate: Did Nick Gordon Inherit Any of Her Fortune?
Whitney Houston, one of the greatest singers of all time, passed away on February 11, 2012, leaving behind a legacy and a fortune. However, the mystery surrounding her estate has been a topic of discussion since her untimely death. The question is, did her former boyfriend, Nick Gordon, inherit any of her fortune?
Looking Back at Whitney Houston’s Life and Relationships
To understand the complexities surrounding Whitney Houston’s estate, it is important to look back at her life and relationships. Whitney Houston was born on August 9, 1963, in Newark, New Jersey. She rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s with hits like “I Will Always Love You” and “The Greatest Love of All.” Her career was marred by personal struggles, including drug addiction and a tumultuous relationship with her ex-husband, Bobby Brown, which ended in a divorce in 2007.
Nick Gordon entered Whitney Houston’s life when he was just 12 years old. He was taken in by her family and raised as her son. Houston later started referring to him as her godson, and he became a part of her inner circle. In 2012, when Houston passed away, Gordon was living with her and Bobbi Kristina Brown, Houston’s daughter with Bobby Brown.
After Houston’s death, Gordon and Brown started dating and became engaged. However, their relationship was fought with controversies, and in January 2015, Brown was found unresponsive in her bathtub. She was in a coma for six months before passing away, leading to speculations that Gordon was involved in her death. Gordon was sued by Brown’s estate, which accused him of wrongful death. Gordon was found legally responsible for Brown’s death in 2016 and was ordered to pay $36 million in damages. He has denied all allegations.
Houston’s Will and Bobbi Kristina Brown’s Inheritance
The question of whether Nick Gordon inherited any of Whitney Houston’s fortune arose after her death in 2012. Houston’s will, which was last updated in 2000, left her entire estate to her only child, Bobbi Kristina Brown. Brown was just 18 years old at the time and inherited everything, including Houston’s royalties from music sales, jewelry, and other assets. However, if Brown died before reaching the age of 30, the will stated that her inheritance would go to the Houston family trust.
In 2015, when Brown passed away, the legal battle over Whitney Houston’s estate escalated. Brown’s estate filed a lawsuit against Nick Gordon, alleging that he had physically abused her and misused her funds. The lawsuit didn’t directly target Houston’s estate, but it did bring up questions about whether Gordon could inherit any of the estate.
The Legal Battle Over Whitney Houston’s Estate
In response to the lawsuit, Gordon’s legal team filed a counter-suit, alleging that Brown had been struggling with drug addiction and that her estate was responsible for her own death. They also claimed that Gordon was the victim of wrongful persecution and was not responsible for Brown’s death.
The legal battle between the Houston and Brown families and Nick Gordon was a long and complicated one. However, a resolution was reached in 2020, when a judge ruled that Gordon was responsible for Brown’s death and had to pay damages. The ruling did not address whether Gordon had any claim over Whitney Houston’s estate.
Did Nick Gordon Inherit Any of Whitney Houston’s Fortune?
It is unclear whether Nick Gordon will inherit any of Whitney Houston’s fortune. Since Houston’s will states that her estate would go to the Houston family trust if Bobbi Kristina Brown died before the age of 30, it is unlikely that Gordon would receive any inheritance.
The controversy surrounding Whitney Houston’s estate has been ongoing since her death in 2012. With the legal battles between the Brown and Houston families and Nick Gordon, it is unclear what will happen to Houston’s fortune. However, it is clear that her legacy and music will continue to live on.