Famous Controversial Wills

The following celebrities wrote some of the most controversial wills. Here are the people and their wills:

• Gene Rodenderry. He requested in his will that his remains be cremated and then scattered into outer space. 
• Jeremy Bentham. The philosopher asked that his remains be preserved in a cabinet composed of wood and glass. He requested that his remains be clothed in black and placed in his favorite chair. He still sits in on meeting at the University College London.
• Harry Houdini. The legendary magician had a strong belief in paranormal activity, and so he instructed his wife to conduct a yearly seance so that she could speak with him. He also included a secret code in his will to aid in the process. He also bequested a sum of money ($40,000) to the Society of American Magicians.
• Alexander McQueen. He bequested 50,000 pounds to care for his dogs.
• Marie Curie. The famous physicist bequested a priceless gram of radium to the University of Paris. However, she placed a condition on the gift that her daughter have access to the gram for study. 
• Janis Joplin. The singer wanted her friends to “get blasted after I’m gone.” So she gave a couple 1000 dollars for her friends to drink at a bar in San Anselmo, California.
• George Bernard Shaw. Another philosopher who created his own language with a different linguistic method. He devoted most of his estate to its development. Unfortunately for Mr. Shaw, a magistrate judge ruled that it was an impossible task and ruled that the estate’s remaining funds be donated to the British Museum.

See Famous People With Controversial Wills, Life Insurance Quotes, July 20, 2012.