Cars Singer Ric Ocasek’s Widow Paulina Porizkova Seeks a Cut of his Estate

After Ric Ocasek, the singer of the band Cars, passed away three months ago, it was discovered that his wife was left out of his will. However, the widow, Paulina Porizkova, is now seeking an elective share of her late husband’s estate, worth approximately $5 million. Under New York law, a spouse is entitled to a third of a deceased spouse’s estate. Things get a bit sticky in this case, though.

In his will, Ocasek was very clear on his opinion of whether his wife should get any portion of his estate, including the elective share, because of their ongoing divorce: “Even if I should die before our divorce is final … Paulina is not entitled to any elective share … because she has abandoned me.” If this claim of abandonment can be proven, Porizkova would lose her bid to gain an elective share.

The couple had been married for 28 years but had separated in May 2018. They continued to live in the same Gramercy Park townhouse in Manhattan, though they did not continue a romantic relationship. She discovered his body when she attempted to bring him his morning coffee as he was recovering from a recent surgery. The medical examiner determined that his death was natural and caused by heart disease.

Porizkova was not the only member of Ocasek’s family to get nixed from the will. Two of his six sons, Adam and Christopher, were also disinherited. The two sons Ocasek shared with Porizkova will receive a portion of his estate, though.

See Cortney Moore, Cars Singer Ric Ocasek’s Widow Paulina Porizkova Seeks a Cut of his Estate, Fox Business, December 20, 2019.