Anthony Bourdain's Fortune Was Bigger Than the $1.2 Million in Assets Included in His Will

About a month after Anthony Bourdain died on June 8 in France by apparent suicide, court documents revealed his wishes as specified in his will. The will also seemed to reveal that Bourdain's estate at the time of his death was worth about $1.2 million, a modest figure that surprised many people given that Bourdain took his life at the pinnacle of his success.

TMZ obtained a copy of the will, and reports that Bourdain had created a trust outside the document which contained an undisclosed amount of assets. TMZ also notes this is a common move for people of substantial wealth, designed to be both tax advantageous and a measure of privacy protection.

Within his will, Bourdain had $425,000 in savings and cash, $35,000 in brokerage money, $250,000 in personal property, and $500,000 in “intangible property including royalties and residuals" at the time of his death.

Bourdain chose his daughter Ariane to receive most of the estate.

Although Bourdain was in a relationship with Asia Argento when he died, he was still married to Ottavia Busia, and she is named as the will's executor. 

Bourdain's will also stipulated that Busia should receive his “personal and household effects" — including, as was specifically named, his frequent-flyer miles — “to dispose of in accordance with what (she) believes to have been my wishes.”

The court will pick a guardian to "safeguard" Ariane's inheritance as she is a minor.

Bourdain's toxicology report revealed no drugs were in his system at the time of his death.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “help” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.