The fashion world is abuzz with controversy as Karl Lagerfeld’s staggering €200 million fortune hangs in the balance, sparking a legal battle that’s as dramatic as one of his runway shows. But here’s where it gets controversial: the iconic designer’s will, finalized in 2016, completely bypassed his blood relatives, leaving his nieces and nephews with nothing. Instead, the bulk of his wealth went to his self-proclaimed 'real family'—his assistant, teenage godson, and two male models. Now, seven years after Lagerfeld’s death from cancer at 85, an anonymous plaintiff is contesting the will, potentially upending everything. And this is the part most people miss: under French inheritance law, where Lagerfeld lived and died, his fortune could be redistributed to his next of kin if the will is annulled.
Lagerfeld, known for his sharp wit and unapologetic opinions, once quipped that sweatpants were a sign of defeat and referred to his signature sunglasses as his 'burka.' Yet, when it came to settling scores, his logic was chillingly clear. '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 think it’s all forgotten.' True to form, his final act seems to have been a calculated move, leaving his biological family out in the cold.
The beneficiaries of his will—long-time assistant Sébastien Jondeau, godson Hudson Kroenig, and models Brad Kroenig and Baptiste Giabiconi—were his inner circle. But Lagerfeld’s soft spot was reserved for his pampered cat, Choupette, who lived a life of luxury complete with Chinese porcelain dishes, a pile of Chanel clothes for a bed, and her own Louis Vuitton handbag. Before his death, he ensured Choupette’s future by gifting his former housekeeper, Françoise Caçote, a house, a garden, and a reported $1.5 million to care for her. As one wag put it, 'Choupette is like a kept woman—she even knows how to use an iPad.'
Here’s the kicker: while Choupette’s lavish lifestyle is secure, the beneficiaries of the disputed will may not be so lucky. If the will is annulled, Lagerfeld’s nieces and nephews—his only living relatives—could inherit a share of his fortune. But there’s a twist: Lagerfeld’s relationship with his family was strained at best. He hadn’t seen his sister Christiane since 1974, and when his legacy was celebrated at the 2023 Met Gala, none of his U.S.-based relatives were invited. One nephew, a long-haul truck driver, even stated he’d likely reject any inheritance, saying, 'We didn’t have a relationship.'
Adding to the drama, French tax authorities are disputing Lagerfeld’s claim that his primary residence was in Monaco, alleging he owes between €20 and €40 million in unpaid taxes. Bold question for you: Was Lagerfeld’s will a final act of defiance against a family he felt disconnected from, or a calculated move to reward those he truly considered family? Let’s discuss—do you think his biological relatives deserve a share, or should his wishes stand as they are?
Fashion expert Sabine Röthig sums it up perfectly: 'Lagerfeld was enigmatic and fearsome. He could be heartless, dropping people when they no longer suited him.' Whether you loved him or loathed him, one thing’s certain—his legacy is as complex and captivating as the man himself.
