Who Got David Bowie's Money When He Died

So, David Bowie died. And yeah, we all cried over Ziggy and the Thin White Duke. But let’s be real for a second: who got the cash? The man was a financial chameleon, just like his music.

The Big Question: Did Imani Get It All?

You’d think his daughter, Alexandria “Lexi” Jones, would be the sole heir, right? Wrong. Or at least, not exactly. Bowie was a wizard with his estate planning, and he left behind a web of trusts thicker than his Berlin Trilogy.

He didn’t just hand over the keys to the kingdom in a simple will. Oh no. That would be too normal for a guy who faked his own retirement. He used something called a “pour-over will” to dump everything into a trust.

The Real MVP: His Wife, Iman

Let’s talk about Iman. She was his rock, his muse, and the one who probably knew where the spare guitar picks were. When Bowie died, a huge chunk—like, $50 million in cash and property—went straight to her.

But here’s the twist: Iman got a life estate in their New York apartment. That means she can live there forever, but she can’t sell it or leave it to her kids from a previous marriage. Bizarre, right? It’s like a musical lease on life.

The Kids: Lexi vs. Duncan (Zowie)

Lexi, his 15-year-old daughter, got a big slice, but it’s locked in a trust until she’s 25. Don’t feel too bad—she’ll get access to the principal later, plus a sweet income stream. And Duncan Jones, his son from his first marriage? He got a good chunk too, but not as much as you’d think.

Reports say Duncan got about $850,000 in cash and some royalties. He didn’t fight it, though. He’s a filmmaker with his own money. Plus, he got all the cool intangible stuff, like his dad’s legacy and a buttload of artistic karma.

David Bowie didn't 'fear death' after turning to God following terminal

The Trust: The Silent Partner in the Room

Here’s where it gets nerdy. Bowie set up a Bowie Trust (catchy name, I know) that owns his music catalog. That catalog is worth a fortune—like, $200 million or more. The trust pays out to his family, but it’s run by a team of lawyers and accountants.

So, who really controls the money? A bunch of suits in a London office. Not the glamour you’d expect from the man who wore a codpiece on stage. Hilarious, right?

The Hidden Siblings and Ex-Wives

You might not know this: Bowie had a half-sister, Annette, who was mentally disabled. He quietly funded her care until she died in 2016, just a month before him. He also had a half-brother, Terry, who died in 1985. No drama there.

Ex-wives? Angie Bowie, his first wife, got nothing from the will. She tried to make a stink, but the documents were ironclad. Let’s just say their divorce was more “Fame” than “Golden Years.”

Endlich: Doku über Berlin-Jahre David Bowies – mit vier Musen — Rolling

The Art Collection: A Heist in the Making

Bowie had a secret art collection worth $20 million. We’re talking Basquiat, Tintoretto, and some spooky African masks. Who got those? The trust again. But Iman and Lexi get to enjoy them, assuming the cats don’t knock over a Damien Hirst.

Fun fact: He left a lot of his personal stuff—like his handwritten lyrics and costumes—to his estate. Those are now priceless. Some of his boots sold for $5,000 at auction. Imagine buying a shoe that walked on the moon.

The Bottom Line: It’s a Mess (a Gorgeous One)

So, who got David Bowie’s money? Everyone and no one. Iman got the cash and the house. Lexi got the future. Duncan got the memories and a tidy sum. And the trust? It’s a black hole that swallows the rest and spits out dividends to his family.

But the real winner? The government. Bowie died in New York, so estate taxes took a massive bite. In the UK, he could have saved millions, but he chose to live in the States. Maybe he just liked the pizza.

At the end of the day, his wealth is like his music: it keeps changing shapes. And we’re still humming along, wondering what the hell that “Lazarus” video really meant. Oh, and don’t ask Iman to lend you five bucks. She’s probably busy investing it in something fab.