Karl Lagerfeld posing with his beautiful Birman cat in a photo from Choupette's official Instagram (left) and with his godson Hudson (right) another potential heir to his fortune
Will Karl Lagerfeld make Choupette the world’s richest cat or will his £150million go to his American godson?
As the fashion world mourns Chanel icon Karl Lagerfeld, his beloved cat Choupette is one of a number who could be set to inherit his £150million fortune, along with his model godson.
Lagerfeld died aged 85 in hospital in Paris today, leaving the fashion world reeling at the loss of the man who rescued Chanel and spent three decades as the label’s artistic director.
One of the designer’s most important companions in later life was his Birman cat Choupette, who he has called his one true love and famously said he would marry if it were legal, has enjoyed a life of luxury and has made more than £2.5million herself.
Lagerfeld’s massive wealth could end up in the feline’s paws if certain legal structures are arranged, it has been claimed.
One of his last walks: Lagerfeld walks the runway with Chanel’s current fashion creation studio director Virginie Viard, who will now take over as artistic director, and his godson Hudson Kroenig, right, at Chanel Metiers D’Art 2018/19 Show at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on in December 2018 in New York City
The Birman cat, who Lagerfeld called his one true love and famously said he would marry if it was legal, has enjoyed a life of luxury only mere mortals can dream of
Choupette has enjoyed a lavish lifestyle of luxury, being transported around the world and waited on by her own entourage of staff
Under German law such an arrangement could be feasible, according to Le Figaro, if the cat were nominated the ‘heir’ through an association or foundation.
Others who might be in line for a slice of his fortune, are his male model muse Brad Kroenig and Kroenig’s son Hudson, Lagerfeld’s godson and model.
Hudson worked with Lagerfeld since the age of two, according to Vanity Fair, and the young model caused a stir when he walked down the catwalk in Paris, wearing Chanel on his debut in 2011.
Brad Kroenig described how his sons were in constant touch with his good friend Lagerfeld, who sends them pictures of Choupette, in an interview with the New York Post in 2016.
Last April Lagerfeld told Numéro magazine: ‘There will be no funeral. I’d rather die! I’ve asked to be cremated and want my ashes to be scattered along with my mother’s… And Choupette’s, if she dies before I do.’
Originally belonging to Baptiste Giabiconi, after two weeks of house sitting for the French model in 2011, Lagerfeld told him: ‘I’m sorry but Choupette is mine,’ and would later joke that he abducted her before turning her into an international model.
From the moment the creative director was gifted Choupette, her life was changed forever.
Choupette began her modelling career in August 2012, posing in the arms of French supermodel Laetitia Casta by the Eiffel Tower.
The cat has since been used in numerous advertising campaigns, including for Opel cars and various make-up ranges.
A whole collection titled ‘Choupette in Love’ was launched in honor of the cat and a Chanel range was inspired by the cat’s eyes.
The gorgeous Birman cat, which has a silky white coat and deep blue eyes has more than 128,000 Instagram followers.