Amy Winehouse and her will: who received the money after her death?

Amy Winehouse and her will: it turns out to be a story with more twists than one of her song lyrics.

Amy’s will: surprising but smart

Let’s be honest: when you’re 27, you don’t immediately think about a will. But Amy Winehouse did. In her will, she named her parents as beneficiaries, and not – thank god – her ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil. Smart move, because anyone who saw her documentary knows: Blake was not exactly a healthy influence.

How much money did Amy Winehouse actually leave behind?

You’d think: millions. But nope. Despite her worldwide fame, after taxes and lawsuits, there was ‘only’ three million pounds left. And a lot was deducted from that. In the end, according to her father, only about 140,000 euros remained for her parents. Well, not an amount that allows for a fancy life, but hey: better something than nothing.

And what happened to Amy’s music?

After Amy’s death, her parents and the record label released an album with previously unreleased tracks. You know, those ‘on the shelf’ songs that you suddenly hear everywhere. The proceeds? They mostly went to the record label and her parents. Business smart or a bit bitter? The choice is yours.

Not a cent for Blake: Amy’s will was clear

The best thing about Amy’s will? Blake Fielder-Civil got nothing. Nada. Noppes. The man who introduced her to heroin and crack (really, why do such people exist?) saw not a cent of her inheritance. That alone makes her will legendary.

Amy Winehouse and money: no match made in heaven

What was also striking: money didn’t interest Amy at all. As a friend once said: “You could set a pile of money on fire in front of her and she would light her cigarette with it.” Such a rock-‘n-roll attitude is of course iconic – but not very smart financially.

Amy’s clothing line: money for a good cause

Did you know that Amy had a clothing line? No, me neither. But that money went to a foundation for ‘children in need’ after her death. Pretty nice, right? Even after her death, she helped others.

Conclusion: a will that was still a bit rock-‘n-roll

Amy’s will may not have been grand in terms of amount, but it was grand in intention. No money for her ex, but support for her parents and good causes. And that actually fits perfectly with who Amy was: a woman who didn’t care about rules and expectations, but always walked her own path.

Read more about Amy Winehouse on The Guardian