The life of Jackie Onassis was one of glamour, tragedy, and wealth. As the wife of a president and later a Greek shipping magnate, she was no stranger to the finer things in life.
But just how much money did she inherit from her second husband, Aristotle? The answer may surprise you.
In this article, we’ll delve into the details of Jackie’s inheritance and explore how she amassed her own fortune through her career as an editor and preservationist.
So sit back, relax, and prepare to learn about the financial legacy of one of America’s most iconic women.
How Much Money Did Jackie Onassis Inherit From Aristotle
After the death of Aristotle Onassis in 1975, Jackie Onassis inherited a significant sum of money from his estate. While the exact amount is difficult to determine, various estimates place it between $20 million and $26 million.
This inheritance made Jackie one of the wealthiest women in America at the time. However, it’s important to note that much of her wealth was accumulated through her marriages and not solely through her own endeavors.
Before marrying Aristotle, Jackie was already a wealthy woman due to her first husband’s family fortune. After JFK’s assassination, she was declared beneficiary of a Kennedy family trust, earning her approximately $200,000 annually.
Furthermore, Jackie convinced Aristotle to gift her $3 million before they married as well as a trust of $150,000 per year for life. The couple also managed six global properties together, including an apartment on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan and the Greek private island of Skorpios, which Aristotle owned outright.
Despite the significant wealth she inherited from Aristotle, Jackie also made her own fortune through her career as an editor and preservationist. After returning to an old interest, she worked as a consulting editor at Viking Press and later as an associate and senior editor at Doubleday.
She also maintained her interest in the arts and in landmark preservation. Notably, in the 1970s she played an important role in saving Grand Central Terminal in New York City.
At the end of her incredible and influential life, Jackie Kennedy Onassis’ estate was worth an estimated $43.7 million.
Jackie’s Marriage To Aristotle Onassis
In October 1968, Jackie Kennedy married Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, whom she had known for a number of years. The marriage came after Jackie’s first husband, President John F. Kennedy, was assassinated in 1963. According to reports, the marriage soon became troubled, and she continued to spend considerable time in New York, where her children attended school.
Together, Jackie and Aristotle managed six global properties, including an apartment on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan and the Greek private island of Skorpios, which Aristotle owned outright. However, despite their significant wealth and luxurious lifestyle, the marriage was not without its issues.
After Aristotle’s death in 1975, an ugly legal battle ensued between Jackie and his daughter over his estate. Ultimately, Jackie was awarded a sum variously estimated at $20 million to $26 million from his estate, making her one of America’s wealthiest women.
While the marriage to Aristotle brought significant wealth into Jackie’s life, it also brought unwanted attention from the media and paparazzi. This continued until her death in 1994, where she passed away in her New York City apartment after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
The Details Of Aristotle’s Will
Aristotle Onassis’ will was a highly contested document, as his daughter Christina and his second wife Jackie Kennedy Onassis were at odds over his sizable estate. The 23-page multi-million dollar settlement was signed by Christina and Jackie on May 7, 1975, just two months after Aristotle’s death.
The document reveals that Christina made a one-off payment of $20.5 million to her stepmother Jackie, who her father had married in 1968. While the exact amount that Jackie inherited from Aristotle’s estate is unclear, it is believed to be between $20 million and $26 million.
The settlement also outlined the distribution of Aristotle’s assets, including his private island of Skorpios and his various business interests. However, the details of the will have not been made public, and it is unclear how much of Aristotle’s wealth went to Jackie and how much went to his other heirs.
Despite the legal battles over Aristotle’s estate, Jackie continued to live a life of luxury and influence until her death in 1994. Her inheritance from Aristotle was just one aspect of her remarkable life, which included a successful career in publishing and a dedication to preserving landmarks and promoting the arts.
The Amount Jackie Inherited
According to reports, after the death of Aristotle Onassis, Jackie Onassis inherited a sum of money estimated between $20 million and $26 million. This inheritance made her one of the wealthiest women in America at the time. However, it’s important to note that much of her wealth was accumulated through her marriages and not solely through her own endeavors.
Before marrying Aristotle, Jackie was already a wealthy woman due to her first husband’s family fortune. After JFK’s assassination, she was declared beneficiary of a Kennedy family trust, earning her approximately $200,000 annually. Furthermore, Jackie convinced Aristotle to gift her $3 million before they married as well as a trust of $150,000 per year for life.
While the exact amount that Jackie inherited from Aristotle’s estate is difficult to determine, it is clear that it contributed significantly to her overall wealth. Nonetheless, she also made her own fortune through her career as an editor and preservationist. At the end of her life, Jackie’s estate was worth an estimated $43.7 million.
Jackie’s Own Financial Successes
Aside from her inheritance from Aristotle Onassis, Jackie Kennedy Onassis also had her own financial successes throughout her life. Before marrying Onassis, Jackie was already a wealthy woman due to her first husband’s family fortune. After JFK’s assassination, she was declared beneficiary of a Kennedy family trust, earning her approximately $200,000 annually.
Furthermore, Jackie convinced Aristotle to gift her $3 million before they married as well as a trust of $150,000 per year for life. However, Jackie also made her own fortune through her career as an editor and preservationist.
After returning to an old interest, she worked as a consulting editor at Viking Press and later as an associate and senior editor at Doubleday. She also maintained her interest in the arts and in landmark preservation. Notably, in the 1970s she played an important role in saving Grand Central Terminal in New York City.
Jackie’s career as an editor and writer was successful and lucrative. She worked on several books, including “In the Russian Style” and “Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness.” Additionally, she wrote articles for various publications such as The New York Times, Vogue, and Architectural Digest.
The Legacy Of Jackie’s Wealth
Jackie Kennedy Onassis’ wealth had a significant impact on her legacy. While she inherited much of her fortune from her marriages, she also made her own mark through her career as an editor and preservationist.
Her wealth allowed her to live a life of luxury and afforded her the ability to travel the world and manage multiple properties. It also gave her the means to support causes she was passionate about, including the arts and landmark preservation.
Additionally, Jackie’s wealth has had a lasting impact on her family. Her stepbrother, Hugh Auchincloss III, inherited the family’s Hammersmith Farm in Newport, Rhode Island, which was where the Kennedys got married in 1953. The farm remained in the Auchincloss family for generations but was left to Jackie by her mother. Auchincloss III would continue to live in the home until his death in 2015.
Jackie’s wealth also had a significant impact on her children’s lives. After JFK’s assassination, she became the beneficiary of a Kennedy family trust, which earned her approximately $200,000 annually. This allowed her to provide for her children and ensure they received a quality education.
Overall, Jackie’s wealth played a significant role in shaping her legacy and allowed her to make a lasting impact on the world through her philanthropic efforts and preservation work.
