The singer stated that she would be leaving her assets to a charity upon her demise. As for her seven children, the “Hugo the Hippo” star announced that she would be leaving them out as the recipients of her fortune upon her future death.
The “Side by Side” actress explained that she and her husband know that by giving their children their fortune, they will have done them a “great disservice.” Marie noted that wealthy people who give over all their money to their kids often end up depriving them of the one most essential reward they could bestow their children, which is the ability to work.
The “One Bad Apple” singer pointed out that people who have lots of wealth are supposed to educate their kids about its value so that they can understand and respect it.
The actress’s decision emanated from an experience. She revealed that she had a close family that fought over a mirror and table when her uncle and aunt died, so Marie promised herself that it would never happen in her family.
The “I Married Wyatt” actress said in 2023 that she was still firm on her decision not to leave her children an inheritance. Marie noted that she doesn’t know anyone who amounted to anything by just being handed over money.
“Honestly, why would you enable your child to not try something?” she asked.
Marie feels that the greatest gift she can give her kids is the opportunity to pursue their passions and find out who they are through working. The singer argued that by leaving her kids an inheritance, she would breed laziness and entitlement in them. Her rule with her kids is that whatever they start, they must work hard to finish.
For Marie, leaving her kids with her wealth will make them uninspired and less willing to work, which will only harm them.
The singer’s kids have to learn the joy of starting again when things don’t work, so giving them an inheritance robs them of the experience of figuring things out on their own.
Marie has worked hard in her nearly 60-year career, and she wants her kids to go through a similar experience. She said the money she has made will now be used to enjoy the rest of her life as she has places to go and bucket lists to fulfill.
