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Lot #65
Jacqueline and Christina Onassis

Jackie settles for $20.5 million while John and Caroline are ignored

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Description

Jackie settles for $20.5 million while John and Caroline are ignored

DS, signed “Jacqueline Bouvier Onassis” and “Christina Onassis” and initialed by each 17 times, 23 pages including the front cover which serves as a folder for the document, bound together by a green ribbon and secured with a paper seal, 8.5 x 11, May 7, 1975. An agreement of family compromise and settlement between Jacqueline Onassis and Christina Onassis regarding Aristotle Onassis’ estate, proclaimed by Jacqueline in the document to be in excess of 500 million dollars.

Aristotle and Jacqueline were estranged at the time of his death due to his increasing depression following the death of his only son Alexander, in January of 1973. At the time of Aristotle’s death in March of 1975, following complications related to a neuromuscular disease from which he suffered, Jackie was in New York and only Christina was by her father’s side.

Despite the many rumors that were circulated, including a New York Times report that Aristotle had been planning to divorce Jackie, Christina and Jackie appeared to remain close, with Jackie and her children attending Christina’s wedding in July of that year. Sadly, shortly thereafter, the two began a protracted legal battle over the estate that lasted for 18 months.

Included in the offered agreement are a number of interesting points, including the provision that the two children by previous marriage (mentioning “John Kennedy” and “Caroline Kennedy”) have no claim against Aristotle’s estate although he supported them during the marriage, and that both Jackie and Christina agree that if any will were to come to light that this agreement would take precedence. Also attached to the end of the document is a copy of the original agreement between Jackie and Aristotle upon their marriage, including the point that Jackie had received $2 million upon their marriage and that neither party would make a claim on the other’s estate in the case of death, a provision which Jackie clearly did not keep!

The dispute eventually ended with Christina offering Jackie a purported $26 million (actually stated as $20.5 million in this contract), in addition to the prenuptial payment and the money that she had received during the marriage, this left Jackie with a reported $50 million. The settlement allowed Jackie to live comfortably and support her children without financial worry until they came into their own inheritances.

Despite her incredible wealth, Christina was known to often be depressed and heavily addicted to prescription medication, an addiction that most likely led to her death. Sadly, 13 years following the settlement, Christina died from pulmonary edema at the age of 37, leaving her three year old daughter with an inheritance of what is believed to be in excess of $600 million. In fine condition, with faint perimeter toning and a small crease to the upper right corner of each page, and horizontal bends to the upper and lower edges of the front and back covers. Two punch holes to the upper left edge of each page is secured by a vibrant green ribbon which terminates in a striking red notary’s seal on the front. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title:
  • Dates: #349 - Ended September 16, 2009





This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
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