Who Got John F Kennedy Jr And Carolyn Bessette's USD 30-100 Million Wealth? Here's What We Know

The love story of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy once dominated tabloid headlines in the '90s. But their tragic end marked the end of the modern love story. Now, the release of Ryan Murphy's new limited series Love Story: JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette on FX has once again brought the couple's whirlwind romance, glamorous life and heartbreaking death in 1999 into the spotlight. But the renewed attention has also raised some questions around what happened to the couple's estimated USD 30-100 million wealth after their sudden deaths. Here's everything we know about it.

Who inherited John F Kennedy Jr and Carolyn Bessette's wealth worth millions after their death?

According to the Associated Press and Encyclopaedia Britannica, following the death of John F. Kennedy Jr., his estate was divided according to a will he had created before his death. According to the LA Times, he originally named his wife, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, as the primary beneficiary of his personal property, including his Tribeca apartment and other assets. However, since Carolyn died with him in the crash, the inheritance provisions came into effect. Under those provisions, the majority of his wealth went to his sister, Caroline Kennedy's three children, Rose, Tatiana, and Jack Schlossberg, who became his primary heirs. 

Apart from John F Kennedy's nieces and nephews, he also made provisions to give a part of his wealth to several family members, close friends, and longtime staff. The outlet revealed that he had left financial bequests to people who were significant in his mother, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis's, life, including her longtime assistant, Ephigenia Pinheiro, and the family's cook, Marta Sgubin. At the same time, he included his assistant, Rosemarie Terenzio. Some of his funds also went to charitable causes, including the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and his nonprofit organisation, Reaching Up, which was established to support caregivers working with individuals with developmental disabilities.

On the other hand, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's financial situation was different because she died without leaving a will. Consequently, her mother, Ann Freeman, was appointed to manage her estate. Since Carolyn had worked as a fashion executive at Calvin Klein before marrying Kennedy, she had accumulated a significant income despite being less popular than her husband. After their fatal crash, the Bessette family reached a wrongful death settlement with the Kennedy estate in 2001. Although the exact amount was never publicly confirmed. Some reports, including Yahoo News, suggested the settlement could have been worth millions, but the lawyers maintained that these were just speculations.

Why did John F. Kennedy leave his wealth to his sister's children? 

John F. Kennedy's decision to leave his wealth primarily to his sister, Caroline's, children, reflected both personal and practical considerations. Since he and Carolyn did not have children, his nieces and nephews were considered his closest direct heirs. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, he allegedly decided to ensure that the Kennedy family heirlooms, financial assets, and personal belongings would remain within the Kennedy family's next generation. In contrast, his charitable donations reflected his lifelong commitment to public service and preserving his father's legacy.

What led to John F. Kennedy and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's tragic death? 

John F. Kennedy and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's death on July 16, 1999, shocked the world. Simultaneously, it marked the end of one of America's most closely followed love stories. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, JFK Jr. was piloting his private aircraft from New Jersey to Martha's Vineyard when it crashed into the Atlantic Ocean. Later, the investigation concluded that the crash was caused by the pilot losing their sense of direction while flying in low-visibility conditions. Since JFK Jr was not instrument-certified, he had likely lost control of the aircraft during a nighttime descent. Consequently, the crash killed him, his wife, Carolyn, and her sister, Lauren Bessette, instantly.

It has been decades since JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy lost their lives in a tragic crash. Still, their modern love story remains a popular tale in American cultural history. 

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