Bob Marley’s Estate: EVERYTHING IS NOT GOING TO BE ALRIGHT
Over the years, numerous lawsuits popped up. There were legal battles between family members, former business managers, and even people who claimed to be Marley’s children. To make matters worse, in the mid-1990s, Rita was accused of trying to forge documents that would have given her control over Bob’s name and likeness rights. That claim led to a prolonged court case and more delays in distributing the estate. An Organized Estate Eventually, the Jamaican courts appointed a court- supervised administrator to handle Marley’s estate — a move meant to avoid further family infighting and keep things above board. The estate was restructured under a holding company, Nine Mile, and later managed by a team of professionals to protect Marley’s image and assets. To this day, the estate remains active and highly valuable. Marley still consistently ranks among the top-earning deceased celebrities, pulling in millions annually from music sales, merchandise, and licensing. Bob Marley’s probate case reminds us that no matter how famous or well- recognized you are, dying without a will can create chaos, especially when significant assets are involved. Legal fees pile up, relationships can fall apart, and it can take years to settle everything. So, the takeaway is to plan ahead. A will (and potentially a trust) can save your loved ones a world of trouble — and ensure your legacy is handled exactly the way you want.
When Bob Marley passed away in 1981 at age 36, the reggae icon left behind a massive musical legacy and a major legal mess. Why? He didn’t leave a will. Despite being one of the most famous musicians on the planet, Marley died intestate (the legal term for dying without a will). At the time of his death, his estate was estimated to be worth around $30 million, and that number has only grown thanks to royalties, licensing deals, and merchandise. NO WILL, BIG PROBLEMS Without a will, Marley’s estate was subject to Jamaican intestacy laws, which meant his wife, Rita Marley, and his 11 recognized children were supposed to share the estate. While this sounds simple, it didn’t work out that way.
HORROR’S LOW-BUDGET GOLDMINE FROM FRIGHT TO FORTUNE
Whether a business sells sandwiches or manufactures missiles, the end goal is the same: to make a profit by keeping expenses as low as possible. In entertainment, no genre has utilized this simple formula to success more than horror films. If you came of age in the ’80s, you likely remember the frequent sequels produced for film franchises like “Friday the 13th” and “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” Well, there’s a simple reason why these series carried on for so many years: By Hollywood standards, they turned a small budget into a mountain of cash. For example, most of the “Friday the 13th” films of the decade were made for less than
on a mere 35-page screenplay, the film follows three film students as they traipse through the woods with camcorders searching for the “Blair Witch,” a notorious small-town murderess who may or may not exist. We won’t spoil the ending here except to say that the film captures moments of genuine terror through little more than shaky camera footage and strong acting. Reports of the film’s official
budget vary, but it is widely believed to have cost $60,000 at most. Incredibly, the movie grossed nearly $300 million — proof that a fresh idea will trump well-funded mundanity any day. A PARANORMAL PAYDAY A decade after “The Blair Witch Project” kickstarted the “found footage” film genre, “Paranormal Activity” bolstered the concept with practical special effects to become another low-investment/high-return juggernaut. Shot over seven days for just $15,000 (with its lead actors reportedly paid a paltry $500
$3 million but often doubled and even tripled that amount in ticket sales. Even if you’re not a horror genre fan, you can understand why movie studios unleashed them on eager audiences so often back then — and why the trend continues today. Here are two jaw-dropping examples of how much money Hollywood can make giving horror fans a good fright. A WITCH’S PATH TO WONDROUS WEALTH On paper, the 1999 film “The Blair Witch Project” never stood a chance of becoming a global phenomenon. Based
each), the 2009 film has earned just under $200 million worldwide — a figure that undoubtedly strikes fear in the hearts of big-time studios that spend tens of millions on box office bombs.
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