Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

David Bowie leaves half of £70 million fortune to wife Iman

Bowie has requested his ashes to be scattered in Bali 'in accordance with Buddhist rituals'

Alexandra Sims
Saturday 30 January 2016 04:40 EST
Comments
Model Iman and her husband David Bowie in 2005
Model Iman and her husband David Bowie in 2005 (Evan Agostini/Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

David Bowie's estate, valued at around £70 million ($100 million), will be split predominantly between his wife and two children, according to his will which has been filed in New York.

Half of the sum will go to his widow, the supermodel Iman, along with the SoHo home they shared in New York. The rest will be split between his son, Duncan Jones, and daughter, Alexandria, who will also receive his Ulster County mountain home.

The star’s long-time personal assistant, Corinne Schwab, was left $2 million as well as shares he owned in a company called Oppossum Inc. Another $1 million went to Alexandria’s former nanny, Marion Skene.

Duncan Jones and father David Bowie Getty
Duncan Jones and father David Bowie Getty (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival)

The 20-page document, filed on Friday under his legal name David Robert Jones, reveals Bowie has requested his ashes to be scattered in Bali “in accordance with the Buddhist rituals”.

In the will, prepared in 2004, Bowie asked to be cremated in Bali, but added if that was “not practical”, then he wanted his ashes to be scattered there anyway. It is not clear if the scattering has taken place.

The star, who continuously transformed his look and sound throughout his career, died of cancer on 10 January, aged 69.

Bowie’s body was cremated on 12 January in New Jersey, according to a death certificate filed with the will.

At the time it was reported no family or friends were present at the ceremony because the iconic singer wanted “to go without any fuss”.

Bowie released a new album, Blackstar, just two days before his death. It has retrospectively been interpreted as his farewell to fans, with producer Tony Visconti describing it as his "parting gift" to the world.

The album is in the number one spot in the UK charts.

Additional reporting by Associated Press

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in