The legendary creative director of the Chanel fashion house, Karl Lagerfeld, made sure that after his departure, his beloved pet – Choupette the cat – would not experience a change in her standard of living.
In his will he donated a staggering amount of USD 1.5 million to its maintenance, which was only a fraction of his fortune, valued at USD 150 million. Although several years have passed since the designer's death in 2019, the four-legged celebrity has not seen a cent of this money.
Luxuries in living rooms and a hard landing
During her guardian's lifetime, Choupette was the true queen of Parisian salons. She lived in a luxurious mansion on the Seine, ate meals prepared by a private chef, and traveled the world on private jets. Lagerfeld himself openly admitted in interviews that the fluffy cat became the absolute center of his universe.
The idyll ended with the departure of the fashion creator. French law is absolute in this respect – the regulations do not allow direct inheritance of property by animals.
As if that wasn't enough, A multi-year war broke out around Lagerfeld's fortune. Successors and lawyers have been crushing copies in courts for years, questioning the validity of the billionaire's last will. As a result, enormous funds were frozen, and the issue of funds for Choupette came to a standstill.
- Read also: Stock exchanges do not react to the Middle East crisis. Trump: “negotiations were getting boring”
Everyday life without millions in the account
Currently, the 14-year-old cat lives far from her former splendor, although she still lives in an atmosphere of great love. Françoise Cacote, Lagerfeld's former housekeeper, took over her care. Today, Choupette shares the roof with the woman's family and another cat, adopted from a shelter.
As Cacote revealed in an interview with “The Atlantic” magazine, the maintenance costs of the famous Burmese woman fell entirely on her shoulders, because she did not receive a single donation from the promised inheritance. In order to pay for veterinarians and ensure a dignified old age for the cat, the woman had to take a part-time job. However, he emphasizes that he is doing everything to loyally fulfill the promise made to his former employer.
Interestingly, Choupette did not have to be financially dependent on her master. At the time of its greatest popularity, kota was a thriving brand. In 2014 alone, thanks to her participation in prestigious advertising campaigns, she earned an impressive $3 million.
