While there usually isn’t much to laugh about when it comes to estate planning, it can be amusing to look back in history at some of the odd bequests people designated in their wills. Some you may have read about before, but I think you’ll find a few new ones in here – they were new to me, at least.
Beyond being interesting, these tales show how customized a will can be. They also highlight that working with an estate planning attorney is a good idea to ensure that your will, even if far outside the norm, will be legally acceptable. For example, did you know that if you want to leave everything to your beloved pet in your will, you can’t? There is a way to do it, though – and that’s why working with an estate planning attorney is so important.
- “Napoleon Bonaparte’s Request for a Shaved Head – Napoleon Bonaparte, the infamous French emperor, left a rather unusual request in his will. He instructed that, after his death, his head should be shaved, and the hair distributed among his close friends. Some believe this was a final act of loyalty, while others suspect he feared poisoning and wanted his hair preserved for analysis. Source: Markham, J. D. (2005). Napoleon for Dummies. Wiley Publishing.
- Shakespeare’s Second Best Bed – William Shakespeare, the world-renowned playwright, left an unexpected bequest to his wife, Anne Hathaway—his “second-best bed.” While some scholars believe this was a romantic gesture (as the best bed was often reserved for guests), others suggest it might have been a slight.
Source: Duncan-Jones, K. (2010). Shakespeare: An Ungentle Life. Arden Shakespeare. - Benjamin Franklin’s Cane and Money for Education – The founding father of the United States, Benjamin Franklin, left a walking cane to his friend George Washington. More notably, he left 1,000 pounds to fund scholarships and apprenticeships in Boston and Philadelphia, emphasizing his lifelong commitment to education and civic duty.
Source: Isaacson, W. (2003). Benjamin Franklin: An American Life. Simon & Schuster. - A Fortune to a Homeless Man – Luis Carlos de Noronha Cabral da Camara, a Portuguese aristocrat, shocked everyone when his will revealed that his multi-million-euro estate would go to 70 strangers randomly chosen from a phone directory. The beneficiaries were in disbelief, as they had never met him. Source: BBC News. (2007). “Portuguese Aristocrat’s Random Fortune.” Retrieved from BBC.
- Harry Houdini’s Secret Code – Famed magician Harry Houdini left his wife, Bess, a letter containing a secret code. He had promised her that, if communication from the afterlife were possible, he would contact her using this code. Bess attempted séances for ten years, but Houdini never sent a message from beyond the grave. Source: Kalush, W., & Sloman, L. (2006). The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America’s First Superhero. At& Sloman
- A 12-Year-Old’s Surprise Bequest – In a touching story, a 12-year-old girl named Phoebe, left her teddy bear collection to children in need. While she didn’t have great wealth, her will ensured that her beloved stuffed animals found new homes where they would bring comfort to others. Source: Daily Mail UK. (2015). “Girl Leaves Teddy Bears in Her Will.” Retrieved from Daily Mail.
- A Fund for Londoners to Party – A wealthy British businessman, Jeremy Bentham, left a provision in his will to fund a large party for Londoners every year. His wish was to promote happiness and community bonding, and the tradition continued for decades.
Source: Rosen, F. (2003). Jeremy Bentham and Representative Democracy. Oxford University Press. - A Gold Watch for a Future Descendant – A man named Samuel Bratt held a lifelong grudge against his wife, who forbade him from smoking cigars. In his will, he left her £300,000 on the condition that she smoke five cigars a day. Source: Guardian UK. (1990). “Strange Bequests in British Wills.” Retrieved from Guardian.
- A Skeleton for Scientific Study – Famous philosopher Jeremy Bentham went a step further in his will. He requested that his body be preserved and displayed at University College London. His remains are still on display today, fulfilling his wish to continue educating future generations. Source: University College London. “Jeremy Bentham’s Auto-Icon.” Retrieved from UCL.”
I wonder, about #8 – who was appointed to monitor Mr. Bratt’s wife to ensure she smoked those five cigars daily?
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this post. I also hope that, if you don’t have a will or it is outdated, you feel motivated to take action. Let’s work together to ensure your will is exactly as you want it to be and legally accepted.
Please call me at 513-399-7526 to set up a meeting. Or visit my website, www.davidlefton.com, for more information.
Source: Town & Country Law, March 7, 2025