Wills are made to express one’s final wishes, to distribute accumulated wealth and property, and to leave a legacy. But sometimes people write such inventive wills that they amaze us with their creativity and, of course, their great sense of humor!
The Richest Dog in the World
American producer and businessman Roger Dorcas led a wild and extravagant lifestyle. His friends believed that his love for certain pleasures would lead to no good. And they were right. Roger died of a heart attack, leaving behind a shocking will.
It was expected that all his wealth would go to his wife, young Wendy Dietrich, whom he had married a year before his death. However, Roger left her just one cent. The rest of his fortune, amounting to over $60 million, was left to his dog, Maximilian.
Naturally, Wendy was very unhappy with this decision. But with the help of skilled lawyers, she found a way out of the situation. She married Maximilian. And after the dog died of natural causes, she became his sole heir. Since Maximilian, for obvious reasons, did not leave a will, his wealth automatically passed to his “grieving” widow.
Nicotine Revenge
Sam was an avid smoker. He loved to smoke on the porch of his house. But his wife hated the smell of smoke. Sam often suffered complaints from her about his bad habit. So, he decided to take revenge by drafting a rather peculiar will.
Sam bequeathed all his possessions to his wife, but only on one condition. Every day, the widow had to smoke at least five cigarettes. The poor woman had to comply with these terms. Let’s hope Sam didn’t know just how harmful smoking is to one’s health—otherwise, his revenge could be considered almost sadistic.
A Wife as an Inheritance
Heinrich Heine was a famous writer during his lifetime, and his works continued to be popular even after his death. In fact, some of his writings were considered so powerful that they were banned in Germany when Hitler came to power, and his works were publicly burned.
However, Heine became famous not only for his literary works but also for his rather strange will. In 1841, he married Eugenie Mirat. They were a peculiar couple—Heine, a sensitive and poetic writer immersed in his art, and Eugenie, a crude and tactless shoe saleswoman. It’s hard to say what brought them together.
After his death, it was revealed that Heine left a rather humorous will, though not so funny for his wife. He left all his wealth to Eugenie—but on one condition: she could receive the money only if she remarried, and she had to do so as soon as possible after his death. Heine’s motivation was not out of concern for her happiness. He wanted at least one person in the world to truly regret his death, assuming that person would be the man Eugenie married next.
Smoke Rings and a Pregnant Man
Charlie Chaplin was known for his incredible sense of humor, which he carried into his will.
Chaplin bequeathed a million dollars to any man who could get pregnant and give birth to a child. Naturally, no one has claimed this inheritance yet. There have been attempts, but only transgender men—biologically female but identifying as male—have given birth, which did not meet Chaplin’s criteria. Pregnancy must occur naturally, without surgery, making this an even more difficult challenge.
While many know about the joke regarding the pregnant man, fewer people know about the second part of Chaplin’s will. He also offered a million dollars to anyone who could blow six smoke rings and pierce them with a seventh. Chaplin, a heavy smoker, always dreamed of pulling off this trick but never succeeded. So, if you feel up to the challenge and practice enough, maybe you could claim Chaplin’s prize!
A True Lady is Always Late
Elizabeth Taylor was the epitome of a true lady. She believed a woman should be at least 15 minutes late to a date, so the waiting man would feel some anxiety. In her will, the beautiful actress, famous for her angelic looks and violet eyes, asked that her coffin arrive at her funeral 15 minutes late. She wasn’t going to change her ways, even in death.
However, Elizabeth Taylor was not just a woman obsessed with appearances. After her death, her jewelry and clothing were sold, and the proceeds went to the AIDS Foundation she had established. Taylor didn’t leave any children, so she chose to use her wealth to help terminally ill people, a noble and lasting legacy.
In their wills, people have a final opportunity to not only express their wishes but also their emotions. They show what mattered to them and who they cared for. A carefully thought-out will can even make loved ones smile one last time, as they remember the person with fondness and a warm heart.