• 05
  • December
    2011

In 1925, William Andrews Clark dies as one of the wealthiest individuals in America. His wealth had been amassed through his copper mining ventures and he served as a senator in Montana. At the time of his death he had one child still living, a daughter named Huguette Clark.

Huguette inherited her father's wealthy estate but quickly became a recluse who was barely seen for 22 years when she was last spotted in her Fifth Avenue apartment. The woman died on May 24, 2011 only two weeks prior to celebrating her 105th birthday leaving behind an estate worth approximately $400 million. Now, her probate proceedings are raising a series of questions about the end of her life.

Her location was finally discovered upon her death. With all her wealth, she had been living in a hospital room since the late 1980s. When she was 98 years old, she signed her last will and testament. During that same period, she stopped seeing friends and family of any kind except a few select companions, including her attorney, accountant and private nurse.

The further isolation from family members and criminal records of those who still had access to communication with her -- and their positions of power and influence - have raised questions about probating the estate. As it stands, her attorney and accountant are set to receive $500,000 each. The bulk of her estate will go to charity and the residue to her personal nurse of many years.

The late millionaire's estate remains under investigation due to the circumstances that suggest possible undue influence or coercion. Her closest representatives both claim that there was no wrongdoing of any kind, she simply was an eccentric woman who had unusual wishes.

Source: Trial & Heirs, "Mysteries Surround the $400 Million Estate of Huguette Clark," Nov. 29, 2011