Historic and Famous Wills and the Stories They Tell

When billionaire hotel owner Leona Helmsley died in 2007, one provision in her will attracted more attention than anything else: she directed that $12 million be placed in trust for the care of her dog, Trouble. The bequest became one of the most famous examples of an...

Few wills in history are as fascinating as that of Napoleon Bonaparte. The former Emperor of the French did not merely distribute his property. He used his Last Will and Testament as one final political statement, a personal defense of his legacy, and, perhaps, one...

Few celebrities have left behind a larger cultural legacy than Michael Jackson. Known as the "King of Pop," Jackson revolutionized music, dance, and entertainment. Yet when he died unexpectedly on June 25, 2009, at the age of 50, he left behind not only grieving fans...

Thomas Jefferson is remembered as the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, the third President of the United States, the founder of the University of Virginia, and one of America's greatest political philosophers. Yet when Jefferson died on July 4,...

This blog series will examine wills throughout history, from the ancient world to modern celebrities. Whenever possible, I will provide access to the original will or a translation of the will, along with commentary about its historical significance, legal impact, and...

"In his last will, however, he named three heirs, his sisters’ grandsons, Gaius Octavius, to three-fourths of his estate, and Lucius Pinarius and Quintus Pedius to share the remainder. At the end of the will, too, he adopted Gaius Octavius into his family and gave him...