The New York executor of Huguette Clark’s $400 million estate is demanding the return of $44 million in highly questionable gifts.
Doctors, nurses, a hospital, her attorney, and an accountant coerced or influenced the reclusive heiress, who died a year ago at 104, to shower them with riches, according to a new report by investigative reporter Bill Dedman of msnbc.com.
While virtually no one visited her for the last years of her life in a New York hospital — except those on her payroll — Huguette wrote hundreds of checks to her staff until, at 102, she could no longer see well enough, Dedman reported.
For example, a nurse from the Philippines, randomly assigned to Clark in 1991 and who was her daytime private nurse, was paid $131,040 a year in salary and she and her family received $31 million in gifts, including money to buy five homes, plus jewelry, dolls, and a $1.2 milllion Stradivarius violin.
Clark’s estate is the subject of a fierce battle, as New York officials and Clark’s distant relatives question whether and to what extent she was taken advantage of by those she trusted. Her last will, if validated, would create an art museum at her East Cabrillo Boulevard hilltop property in Santa Barbara, which is valued at $100 million, plus millions in art.
The full story appears here.


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Well, it appears that the parasites on her payroll are STILL grabbing for her money, even after her death.
What is most offensive here is that this woman had no visitors, none of these now-concerned distant relatives could be bothered to see her or spend any time with her. These people were more than happy to go about their lives and let the paid nurses, lawyers, and other staff care for her, while they sat and waited for her to die so they could swoop in and grab whatever they could.
Shameful! Disgusting! Every penny left should go to open the art museum and whatever else she wanted, and the relatives should get shown the door and given not one red cent. Frankly, the nurses and lawyers deserve what they have FAR more than the parasitic relatives do!
Holly (anonymous profile)
May 25, 2012 at 12:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Such a sad story. Regardless of what the half-relatives did or did not do these caregivers had no right to help themselves to Huguette's money. At one point the attorney would not tell the relatives where Huguette was located. He said he was obeying Huguette's wishes. I am really torn on which Will should be honored but I would like to see the art museum created.
RIP Huguette Clark.
blondienlex (anonymous profile)
May 27, 2012 at 1:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)