Bill and Hillary Clinton help open Democratic party convention in Boston Brando leaves $21.6m estate
Surprising in death as in life, the intensely private Brando's last wishes raised fresh questions about his family ties, as he appeared to cut at least two heirs out of his will and revealed the names of two previously unknown children among his 10 surviving offspring. But his testament, filed on Friday, did resolve one major question: The double Oscar-winning legend, who a biographer said was nearly destitute and $20m (BD7.56m) in debt when he died, was far from broke. He retained a sizeable fortune and an income of $500,000 (BD189,000) a year, the probate petition filed along with his will showed. "We have estimated the value of Marlon Brando's estate at $21.6m," attorney David Seeley said after filing Brando's will. The star of A Streetcar named Desire (1951) and On the Waterfront (1954) died of lung failure in Los Angeles on July 1 aged 80. The core of Brando's financial assets consist of a hilltop estate on Los Angeles' Mulholland Drive, reportedly worth up to $10m (BD3.78m), and his Tahitian atoll, Tetiaroa, his private retreat. Brando ordered his assets, including around $18.6m (BD7.03m) in real estate and three million in other property - said to include paintings, sketches and rare scripts - to be transferred to a "living trust." The will did not state how the fortune would be split, apart from "certain monthly payments" to two named female friends. But it referred to the terms of the trust, which under California law can remain secret. Brando did however stipulate in the August
28, 2002 document that he was cutting a 32-year-old adopted daughter
and the son of his dead daughter Cheyenne Brando out of his will and
his trust. Russian teenage sensation wins Wimbledon singles title LONDON, July 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Russian teenage sensation Maria Sharapova lifted her first Grand Slam crown on July 3 by pulling off a convincing two-set victory over title holding American Serena Williams. The 17-year-old Russian, already second youngest Wimbledon finalist in the Open era behind Swiss Martina Hingis, out hit Williams 6-1 and 6-4 to become the second Russian woman to win a Grand Slams title. Anastasia Myskina was the first Russian woman to ever win a Grand Slam title after beating fellow Russian Elena Dementieva in the all-Russian final of this year's French Open. Having realized her victory over Williams, Sharapova knelt down on the court with hands covering her face in disbelief, before running up to the stand to meet his father for the great joy.
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Legends
of the pratfall: `Pink Panther' set to shoot
NEW YORK- Steve Martin is updating
Inspector Clouseau for the 21st century in a new ``Pink Panther''
film that begins shooting Monday and will co-star Kevin Kline and
Beyonce. The ex-wife, daughter and granddaughter of legendary crooner Elvis Presley appear on cover of U.S. 'Vogue'
*** Japan's Crown Princess Masako suffering adjustment disorder Absent from public life for nearly eight months, Japan's Crown Princess Masako has been diagnosed as suffering from "adjustment disorder", the Imperial Household Agency has announced. In the first medical explanation of Masako's condition, the Imperial Household Agency confirmed Crown Prince Naruhito's wife is undergoing treatment for the illness, characterised by an abnormal and excessive reaction to stress. Masako has received therapy and medication, but is still showing signs of anxiety and "depressive feelings", said a representative. The mother-of-one's stress is caused by "her special status as crown princess, problems relating to her pregnancy and miscarriage, and her busy life, in which she has difficulties drawing a line between the public and the private," said the Agency. Royal watchers have long speculated that Masako, 40, was having trouble adapting to the strict lifestyle required by Imperial Household Agency as well as the mounting pressure to produce a male heir following the birth of daughter Aiko in 2001. She retreated from the spotlight in December, 2003, amidst rumours of her declining mental health. The Imperial Household Agency, who
says Masako needs more time to rest, is apparently examining what
the future will hold for the princess, stating: "We will consider
revamping her official duties." |
Charlotte of Monaco With her translucent skin and luminous eyes, Charlotte has grown into a stunningly beautiful young woman blessed with model-quality looks Frederic of Denmark and his wife
The princess flashes her famous grin as she receives a kiss on the cheek from Prince Frederik during the four-day jaunt around Denmark
French singer Sacha Distel has died after a long illness at the age of 71.
He went on to become a household name across the world during a career which peaked with his cover version of Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head. He died on Thursday in Rayol-Canadel in the region of Var, the AFP news agency reported. Distel scored his first hit with Scoubidou in 1958 and went on to record more than 200 songs. He worked alongside some of the music greats including Dizzy Gillespie, Tony Bennett and Quincy Jones. Considered a heart-throb around the world, he also appeared in a number of French films and television programmes. He even had his own TV show in the US, where he was also hugely popular. Distel made his British theatre debut as smooth-talking lawyer Billy Flynn in the London West End production of the Bob Fosse musical Chicago in 2001. Distel had a high-profile relationship with Brigitte Bardot, but wed championship skier Francine Breaud in 1963. Distel will be buried at a private funeral in France in line with his last wishes, his record company said on the singer's website.
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