They say a mother’s love never dies, and it certainly seems that’s the case for Farrah Fawcett.
Redmond O’Neal, Farrah’s 33-year-old son, was arrested this week for robbing a Los Angeles convenience store at knife point. The incident left many wondering why Redmond would have done such a thing considering he inherited million when his mum passed away in 2009.
According to a report in People magazine, Redmond inherited US$4.5 million (A$5.71 million) when Farrah died, but it wasn’t the payday most children would be expecting. Redmond, who is Farrah’s son with her former husband Ryan O’Neal, has battled drug addiction throughout his life and his mother worried about what would happen to him when she was gone.
In a bid to protect her son from beyond the grave and ensure he didn’t waste his inheritance on drugs, Farrah set up strict rules around how he could spend the money. According to the will, Redmond is only allowed to use the money for matters that directly relate to his health care. This means he wouldn’t be allowed to spend it on his drug habit, but money could be used to help him with rehabilitation.
People magazine, which has obtained a copy of the trust, says the money was put into a trust overseen by her business manager and producer, Richard Francis.
“This means Francis can spend as much as he deems advisable for rehabilitation (which would clearly improve Redmond’s health), without paying anything directly to him for fear of it being spent on drugs, etc.,” People magazine cites author and probate attorney Andrew W. Mayoras writing in 2009.
While he can’t directly access the millions, Fawcett did want her son to have access to the interest generated by the fund. According to the magazine, Redmond could access the tens of thousands generated each month as much at least four times a year.
At present, Redmond is being held on $50,000 bail after being arrested for his involvement in the armed robbery. He’s previously spent time in rehab and has been charged numerous time for possession of drugs and other weapons-related cases.
He’s struggled with addiction since a teenager, meaning his Charlie’s Angels mother was well aware of her son’s demons. According to CBS News, some of his prior arrests include heroin possession in 2011, possession of a gun by a felon, a 2008 DUI, as well as a further drug charge in the same year. In addition to his stints in rehab, he has also spent time behind bars.
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