Famous Wills Throughout History: Strange Gifts, Family Feuds and Lessons We Can Learn

When most people think about Wills, they picture formal legal documents filled with technical language and difficult decisions. However, throughout history, some famous Wills have included unusual gifts, surprising requests, and even caused major family disputes.

While these stories can be entertaining, they also highlight some very important lessons about estate planning and why having a properly prepared Will matters.

At SLS Wills and More, we regularly help clients across England and Wales put clear plans in place for the future, helping to reduce uncertainty and avoid unnecessary stress for loved ones.

William Shakespeare and the “Second Best Bed”

One of the most famous Will stories belongs to William Shakespeare.

In his Will, Shakespeare famously left his wife, Anne Hathaway, his “second best bed”. For many years, people assumed this was intended as an insult. Historians now believe this may actually have been a sentimental gesture, as the “best bed” in many homes was traditionally reserved for guests, while the second best bed was the marital bed shared by the couple.

Whether romantic or not, it demonstrates an important point. The wording used in a Will matters.

Even centuries later, people are still debating what Shakespeare truly intended. Ambiguous wording can create confusion, disagreement, and in some cases legal disputes between family members.

Napoleon Bonaparte and Locks of Hair

Napoleon Bonaparte included some unusual personal gifts within his Will, including instructions for locks of his hair to be distributed amongst friends and family members.

Today, pieces of Napoleon’s hair are still sold as historical memorabilia.

While most modern Wills do not involve this sort of request, sentimental possessions often become some of the most emotionally significant parts of an estate. Jewellery, photographs, watches, family heirlooms, and handwritten letters can all carry enormous personal value.

A carefully drafted Will allows these wishes to be clearly recorded.

The Billionaire Who Left Millions to Her Dog

American hotel billionaire Leona Helmsley became famous for reportedly leaving $12 million to her dog, Trouble.

The story caused worldwide headlines and sparked debate about inheritance, fairness, and unusual estate planning wishes. Eventually, the courts reduced the amount left to the dog.

Importantly, inheritance laws vary significantly between jurisdictions.

In England and Wales, pets cannot directly inherit money in the same way as a person. However, there are ways to structure arrangements within a Will to ensure pets continue to be cared for properly after an owner’s death.

This is why obtaining advice specific to your own jurisdiction is so important.

Prince and the Problems of Dying Without a Will

Perhaps one of the clearest modern examples is music superstar Prince, who died in 2016 without leaving a Will.

Despite his enormous success and wealth, no clear instructions existed regarding who should inherit his estate. Years of legal disputes followed, involving family members, tax issues, and complicated court proceedings.

Although most estates are not worth millions, the same problems can arise for ordinary families when someone dies without a valid Will.

In England and Wales, the intestacy rules determine who inherits if no Will exists. These rules may not reflect what someone would actually have wanted and can create unintended consequences for unmarried couples, stepchildren, and blended families.

Different Countries, Different Rules

One important thing these famous examples highlight is that succession law differs greatly depending on where assets are held and where someone is domiciled or resident.

The laws that apply in England and Wales may be very different to those in Scotland, the United States, Spain, France, or other jurisdictions around the world.

Some countries have forced heirship rules which restrict who can inherit. Others apply very different tax treatments or probate procedures.

At SLS Wills and More, we specialise in matters relating to England and Wales, but we also have extensive experience working alongside practitioners in other jurisdictions, particularly where estates involve overseas property, international families, or cross-border assets.

Cross-border estates often require careful coordination between advisers to ensure documents work effectively together and that unintended complications are avoided.

What Can We Learn From These Famous Wills?

Although some historic Wills may seem amusing or unusual, they all reinforce a number of important estate planning lessons:

• Clear wording matters

• Wills should be reviewed regularly

• Personal wishes should be properly documented

• Family disputes can arise when plans are unclear

• Dying without a Will can create major complications

• Advice should always be tailored to the relevant jurisdiction

A professionally prepared Will can provide clarity, protect loved ones, and help ensure your wishes are carried out as intended.

At SLS Wills and More, we help individuals and families across England and Wales with Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, trusts, and estate planning, including matters involving international and cross-border estates.