Marlon Brando, the legendary movie star, has made headlines by excluding an adopted daughter and the grandson of his late daughter from his estate worth $21.6 million.
The details of his will, unveiled today at the Los Angeles Superior Court, shed light on his decision to recognize 11 children while omitting others, including two children with Tahitian names not widely known in public accounts of Brando's life.
In a puzzling move, Brando directed his substantial assets, comprising $18.6 million in real estate and $3 million in personal property, to be transferred to a “living trust” without explicitly naming the beneficiaries in the will.
The document signed in 2002 explicitly stated the exclusion of his 32-year-old adopted daughter and a teenage grandson, emphasizing that they were not provided for in his will or living trust.
The adopted daughter, Petra Brando-Corval, is the offspring of Caroline Barrett, who previously worked as Brando's personal assistant and recently engaged in a legal battle with him over a monetary gift.
Brando's revised will, finalized just before his passing on July 1, designated three individuals – producer Mike Medavoy, business manager Larry Dressler, and friend Avra Douglas – as executors of his estate.
Among the noteworthy inclusions in Brando's will are 10 acknowledged children, spanning ages from 46 to 10, with Maimiti and Raiatua Brando being revealed as lesser-known offspring.
Maimiti notably portrayed a character in Brando's 1962 film, “Mutiny on The Bounty,” alongside his second wife, Tarita Teriipia, who bore two other children with him.
Brando's real estate holdings encompassed properties in Los Angeles and Tahiti, where some of his children and former partners reside.
Contradictory reports regarding Brando's familial relations have long been a subject of speculation due to his reclusive nature.
The probate petition accompanying Brando's will disclosed an annual income of $500,000 for his estate, adding another layer of complexity to the distribution of his assets.
Overall, Marlon Brando's posthumous decisions regarding his estate have sparked curiosity and intrigue, offering a glimpse into the intricate web of relationships and dynamics within his family circle.
The enigmatic actor's legacy continues to captivate audiences and fans, leaving behind a legacy that transcends the silver screen.