Whitney Houston's Inheritance: From Spoiled Rich Daughter to Funds with Training Wheels
Whitney Houston, the music legend whose voice could make you soar through the heavens, wasn't exactly known for her financial discipline (allegedly. We're not accountants here). So, when it came to leaving her inheritance to her only daughter, Bobbi Kristina, things got a little...interesting.
Houston Jr.: Rich, But Not Quite Ready to Rule the Financial Kingdom
Whitney did leave Bobbi Kristina a hefty chunk of change, estimated to be around $20 million. However, instead of just handing over a giant sack of cash and saying "Go wild!", Whitney set up a trust fund with some interesting stipulations. Think of it like inheritance training wheels.
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Age is Just a Number (But With a Dollar Sign Attached): Bobbi Kristina wasn't exactly rolling in dough at 18. She had to wait until she turned 21 to get her hands on the first 10%, which amounted to a cool $2 million. Let's face it, that's enough to buy a decent house, a fabulous wardrobe, and maybe a small island (although upkeep on those things can be a nightmare).
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Gradual Progression: A Slow Drip, Not a Money Flood: The rest of the inheritance wasn't some instant payday. Bobbi Kristina would have received another chunk at 25, and then finally gotten full access to the entire fortune at 30. Whitney probably figured this would give her daughter time to mature and not, you know, buy a fleet of yachts before she knew the difference between a debit and a credit card (allegedly. Again, not financial experts).
Life Takes a Tragic Turn: The Money Goes Up for Grabs (Again)
Sadly, Bobbi Kristina passed away before reaching 30. This meant the remaining inheritance went up for grabs, according to the terms Whitney had laid out. Here's where things get a little messy:
- The Family Feud: Houston vs. Houston Whitney's will stated that if Bobbi Kristina died without a spouse or kids (which she did), the money would go to Whitney's mother, Cissy Houston, and her two brothers. This led to a bit of a family squabble, but that's a story for another day (and another tabloid headline).
The Moral of the Story?
Whitney clearly loved her daughter and wanted to set her up for the future. But financial responsibility is a valuable lesson, and maybe Whitney knew a giant pile of cash at 18 wouldn't be the best thing. So, next time you're thinking about leaving your inheritance, remember: a little trust fund with some training wheels might not be a bad idea. Just sayin'.
