In the scope of country music, where artists often come and go, few have left as indelible a mark as Tammy Wynette. Yes, we are talking about the country singer born in Mississippi. Her musical journey began in 1971 with the release of her debut studio album, “Your Good Girl’s Gonna Go Bad”. This turned out to be a Grammy-winning work that dominated the charts and catapulted her into the limelight. At the peak of her career, Tammy was rightfully awarded the title of First Lady of Country Music. Yet, beneath the surface, the singer struggled with a silent battle against substance abuse.
Showtime’s series “George & Tammy,” in 2022, unfolded the interesting tale of Tammy’s life, her tumultuous romance with George Jones, and her tragic demise. However, the series left numerous viewers with more questions than answers regarding Tammy’s poignant story. Among the most significant mysteries is the question of who inherited Tammy’s wealth after her passing. You should go through this article in detail to know more about this.
What Happened to Tammy Wynette’s Property?
You might be stunned to learn that her net worth at the time of her passing was $900,000. Following Tammy’s death, control of her estate was entrusted to her fifth and final husband, George Richey. Surprisingly, her daughters inherited nothing, and each of her grandchildren received $10,000.
On the other hand, the story aired in the Showtime series “George & Tammy” states that the money may have gone to George against Tammy’s wishes. A prominent scene in the series shows George destroying the notepad containing Tammy’s purported real will. Soon after the series aired, George’s family sought to clarify and rectify any misconceptions surrounding handling Tammy’s estate.
A Legal Trouble
Following “George & Tammy,” the Richey family took legal action against Showtime in January 2024. They sighted a breach of contract. The lawsuit stated that Tammy’s daughter, Georgette Jones, who served as a consulting producer for “George & Tammy,” violated a 2015 settlement agreement. They stated that the settlement was about the prohibited “disparaging” comments about Richey. George’s second wife, Sheila Slaughter Richey, and their child, Tatum Keys Richey, claimed that George was unfairly portrayed as a villain in the series, as reported by Variety.
The suit stated, “George Richey inherited the vast majority of her estate,” and raised doubts about the disappearance of Tammy’s yellow notepads. This notebook allegedly contained significant bequests to her daughters. The implication was that Richey may have destroyed these notepads containing Wynette’s will. In response, Showtime issued a statement rejecting the family’s claims, stating, “We see no plausible basis for any claim against Showtime.”
Tammy Wynette’s Death Troubled Geroge
The legal challenges for the Richey family extend beyond the recent Showtime lawsuit. The portrayal in “George & Tammy” sparked new speculation that George may have played a role in Tammy’s introduction to drugs. However, these claims were not new, as they had surfaced previously. This specific allegation prompted authorities to exhume Tammy’s body in 1999.
In a wrongful death suit amounting to $50 million, Tammy’s four daughters claimed that George had administered the drugs that caused her death. Nevertheless, a subsequent examination by a medical examiner concluded that Tammy died of natural causes, confirming symptoms of heart failure. Given the ongoing legal entanglements surrounding “George & Tammy,” the legendary singer may not find peace in the foreseeable future.
The Interesting Love Life of Tammy Wynette
Tammy Wynette had a colourful married life. You must know that she entered her first marriage with Euple Byrd at 18 in 1960. Despite the in-and-out-of-employment nature of Byrd’s construction work, they moved frequently. By the time Wynette reached 20, she already had two daughters. It was during her third pregnancy that she decided to divorce Byrd. In 1966, she packed up and moved to Nashville with her children, aspiring to become a singer.
Her second husband, Don Chapel, came into her life after the move to Nashville in 1965. You must know that they met when Tammy stayed at the Red Anchor Motel, where Don worked as a front desk attendant. They dated for a while before getting married in 1967. However, their marriage was short-lived, and they divorced in 1968 due to Tammy’s growing affection for another man. Moving on, Tammy married George Jones in 1969 and remained married until 1975. Despite being considered country music’s royal couple, their relationship ended in divorce due to Jones’ struggles with substance abuse. Although divorced, they continued to collaborate on musical projects over the years.
In 1977, Tammy entered a brief marriage with businessman Michael Tomlin, reportedly lasting less than two months. Her fifth and final marriage was to George Richey, a songwriter, music publisher, and record producer. They had a pre-existing professional relationship, and after a recording session, Richey expressed his love for Wynette. They married in 1978, and despite public statements of affection, reports suggested that the relationship was emotionally abusive. Tammy Wynette died unexpectedly in 1998, and George Richey remarried in 2001.
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