By: Tristan Wojowski
The late singer Amy Winehouse’s ex-husband – the man who reportedly got her started with heroin – wants $1.4 million from her estate, according to the British website Metro.
The singer, who was not only Jewish but regularly wore a Star of David medallion on stage, died eight years ago at the age of 27 as a result of alcohol and drug addiction.
The former husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, 37, was married to Winehouse from 2007 to 2009. The singer’s family objects to Fielder-Civil’s claim. They told Fox News in an interview that “He deserves nothing.” He is insisting on a lump sum payout as well as a monthly allowance.
A friend of the family reportedly told Fox: “This is someone who spent a lot of Amy’s money during their time together. He also spent a lot of their marriage in prison, bringing nothing but pain to everyone. To give him another penny would be too much. To say that it would be inappropriate for him to benefit from her estate would be an understatement.”
Winehouse left no will, according to The Jerusalem Post. “Her after-tax assets of $3.64 million went to her parents, Janis and Mitch. Since her death, the value of her estate is believed to have grown considerably from song royalties.”
The paper continued, “Fielder-Civil said he has a valid claim because he was with her for six years during which she released some of her best-selling material. In a 2013 interview, Fielder-Civil said he regretted introducing Amy to heroin.”
Winehouse wowed the music industry in 2003 with her debut album, Frank. Three years later, Back to Black won five Grammys and turned her into a superstar. Yet she battled addiction throughout, referring to her problems in the song Rehab.
Winehouse’s parents founded the Amy Winehouse Foundation, which describes its mission this way on its web site: “The Amy Winehouse Foundation works to prevent the effects of drug and alcohol misuse on young people. We also aim to support, inform and inspire vulnerable and disadvantaged young people to help them reach their full potential.”
As the page explains, “Amy supported a wide range of charities and organizations, particularly those working with disadvantaged children and young people. When she tragically passed away on July 23rd 2011, aged only 27, it broke the hearts of not only her family and close friends, but of people across the world. As part of her legacy and to continue her charitable work, Amy’s family set up the Amy Winehouse Foundation on 14th September that same year, on what would have been Amy’s 28th birthday.”
