The Shocking Legacy of Lee Radziwill: Who Inherited Her $50 Million Fortune and Why It Matters

Lee Radziwill, born Caroline Lee Bouvier on March 30, 1933, in Manhattan, was always in the shadow of her famous sister, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Despite her glamorous lifestyle and connections to the elite, Lee’s life was marked by personal struggles and family drama. After her death in February 2019, many were shocked to learn that she had hidden a $50 million fortune, contradicting the belief that she was financially struggling.

Lee’s early life was steeped in privilege yet riddled with chaos. Her father, John “Blackjack” Bouvier, was a Wall Street broker known for his extravagant lifestyle and numerous affairs. Growing up, Lee witnessed her father’s reckless behavior and her mother’s emotional turmoil, which influenced her own relationships in adulthood. Despite this tumultuous upbringing, Lee became a socialite in her own right, making headlines for her beauty and charm.

In 1953, Lee married Michael Temple Canfield, a member of a prominent publishing family. However, their marriage was fraught with financial difficulties and ultimately ended in divorce. Lee’s desire for a lavish lifestyle often clashed with her husband’s modest income, leading to tension in their relationship. After their split, Lee sought to establish herself independently and began to carve out a career in interior design.

Lee’s second marriage to Prince Stanniswo Radziwill brought her into the spotlight once again. Despite the initial allure of royal life, her marriage was marred by scandal and infidelity. Lee’s husband had affairs, and their relationship deteriorated over time. By the mid-1970s, they divorced, leaving Lee to navigate life as a single mother while maintaining her social status.

Throughout her life, Lee struggled with the comparison to her sister Jackie, who became an iconic figure in American history. This rivalry extended to their children, with Lee’s children often referred to as “photo op children” by the staff. The competition for attention and approval was a constant theme in their family dynamic.

Despite her personal challenges, Lee found success in her career as an interior designer. She launched her own business, Lee Radziwill Inc., and gained recognition for her work. Her designs were sought after, and she became a prominent figure in the fashion and design world. However, her personal life continued to be tumultuous, marked by a series of relationships that often ended in heartbreak.

When Lee passed away, her estate revealed a fortune that shocked even her closest friends and family. Contrary to the belief that she was financially struggling, Lee had amassed wealth through various sources, including a trust set up by her mother, a divorce settlement, and valuable jewelry and artwork. The revelation of her wealth was only the beginning of the surprises that followed.

Five weeks after her death, it was disclosed that Lee had rewritten her will just months before passing. Instead of leaving her fortune to multiple family members, she designated her only living child, Anna Christina Radziwill, as the sole heir. This decision raised eyebrows, especially considering the long-standing relationships and financial support Lee had received from her sister Jackie and the Kennedy family.

Lee’s choice to exclude certain family members, including Caroline Kennedy and her children, from her will was particularly striking. While Jackie had supported Lee financially throughout her life, Lee’s decision to cut ties with the Kennedy name in her final act was seen as a bold statement. Many speculated that this move was a culmination of a lifetime of rivalry and competition between the sisters.

The legal proceedings surrounding Lee’s estate were equally intriguing. She appointed two outsiders as executors of her will, rather than family members, which further emphasized her desire for independence and control over her legacy. This decision raised questions about the nature of her relationships with her family and the extent of her estrangement from them.

As the probate process unfolded, it became clear that Lee Radziwill’s life was a complex tapestry of privilege, scandal, and personal struggle. Her decision to leave her fortune to her daughter while excluding others from her will highlighted the intricate dynamics of her relationships and the impact of her upbringing. Lee’s legacy, both in life and in death, serves as a reminder of the complexities of family ties and the choices we make that define our legacies.

In the end, Lee Radziwill’s story is not just about wealth and inheritance; it’s about the choices we make and the relationships we cultivate throughout our lives. Her final act of leaving everything to her daughter speaks volumes about her priorities and the legacy she wished to leave behind. As the world reflects on her life, one thing is clear: Lee Radziwill was a woman who navigated the complexities of her existence with grace, even in the face of adversity.