Overview
- This week Choupette’s designated caretaker, Françoise Caçote, said neither she nor the cat have received any inheritance and that she has hired lawyers to press Lagerfeld’s testamentary wishes.
- The succession has been stalled since Lagerfeld’s 2019 death by disputes, objections and differing legal interpretations of the will that keep distributions on hold.
- Press reports give inconsistent valuations of Lagerfeld’s fortune and of sums linked to Choupette, with figures ranging widely and fueling public confusion about what is actually available.
- Despite the frozen estate, Caçote says Choupette continues to live in Paris and receives care while Caçote works part time and covers legal and daily costs out of pocket.
- The case affects other named heirs as well and highlights legal hurdles in France for leaving assets for an animal, so observers will watch court decisions that could finally allow payouts.