Who Inherited Whitney Houston’s Fortune?
Whitney Houston was one of the most iconic singers of her time. The Grammy-award-winning artist sold over 200 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time. In February 2012, the world was shaken by the sudden and tragic death of Houston at the age of 48. The cause of her death was determined to be drowning, with heart disease and cocaine use listed as contributing factors.
Given that Houston’s career spanned over three decades and her net worth was estimated to be around $20 million, many were left wondering what would happen to her fortune after her passing. In this article, we will explore who inherited Whitney Houston’s fortune and debunk the Nick Gordon myth.
No Will, No Problem?
Firstly, it’s important to note that Whitney Houston didn’t have a will at the time of her death. This meant that her estate would have to go through probate, a legal process where a court would determine who inherits the deceased’s assets.
At the time of her death, Houston was survived by her only child, Bobbi Kristina Brown. Bobbi Kristina was born in 1993 to Houston and her ex-husband, Bobby Brown. Following Houston’s death, Bobbi Kristina stood to inherit her mother’s entire estate under the laws of intestacy.
Unfortunately, tragedy struck again when Bobbi Kristina was found unresponsive in a bathtub in January 2015. She was subsequently placed into a medically induced coma and passed away six months later at the age of 22. The cause of her death was also determined to be drowning with drug intoxication listed as a contributing factor.
Clearing Up the Nick Gordon Myth
With Bobbi Kristina’s passing, the question of who would inherit Whitney Houston’s fortune became a matter of legal dispute.
Some rumors suggested that Nick Gordon, Bobbi Kristina’s former boyfriend who lived with her at the time of her death, would be entitled to a portion of Houston’s estate. These rumors were fueled by Gordon’s public claims that he and Bobbi Kristina were married and that Houston had referred to him as her son.
However, it’s important to note that none of these claims were substantiated. The Houston family denied that Gordon was ever legally married to Bobbi Kristina, and Gordon himself failed to provide any evidence of the alleged marriage. Additionally, despite referring to Gordon as a son in public interviews, Houston never legally adopted him.
Ultimately, Gordon was not entitled to any part of Houston’s estate. In fact, he faced legal troubles of his own, as he was held liable for Bobbi Kristina’s death in a wrongful death lawsuit brought by her estate. Although Gordon was ordered to pay $36 million in damages, it’s unclear whether Bobbi Kristina’s estate will ever see any of that money given Gordon’s apparent inability to pay.
Inheriting the Fortune
So, who did inherit Whitney Houston’s fortune? In the absence of a will, her estate was divided among her surviving family members according to the laws of intestacy. This meant that her estate was divided equally between her mother, Cissy Houston, and her two brothers, Michael and Gary Houston.
It’s worth noting that Cissy Houston, who passed away in 2021, was the official executor of Houston’s estate. As such, she was responsible for managing Houston’s finances and distributing her assets according to the legal guidelines in place.
The Value of the Estate Today
Although Whitney Houston’s estate was estimated to be around $20 million at the time of her death, it’s unclear how much of that fortune will remain today. Bobbi Kristina’s medical bills and the legal fees associated with the investigation into her death likely ate into a significant portion of the estate. Additionally, Houston’s music catalog and likeness continue to generate income, but it’s unclear how much of that income goes to her estate versus her surviving family members.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the question of who inherited Whitney Houston’s fortune is one that has been shrouded in myths, legends and rumors. But one thing is clear: her estate was divided according to the laws of intestacy and her surviving family members were entitled to her assets. While Nick Gordon may have claimed to be entitled to a portion of her fortune, the legal reality was quite different. Today, her legacy lives on, influencing generations of artists in the music industry. Although Houston may be gone, her music and legacy will endure for generations.