For years it was presented as the richest cat in the world. He traveled by private plane, ate on luxury tableware, and starred in advertising campaigns that generated millions of dollars. But the current reality of Choupettethe inseparable pet of the late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeldis far from that image of opulence that made it an international media phenomenon.
Choupette continues without receiving any benefit from the inheritance of its former owner more than seven years after his death in 2019, as revealed by his caretaker and former housekeeper, Françoise Caçote, in statements to The Atlantic. Caçote also claims that she is forced to work part-time to support the animal.
“We have received absolutely nothing,” said the designer’s former employee, who for years was part of Lagerfeld’s closest circle. «I work part-time to support it. I want to be totally transparent. We have received absolutely nothing. Given the complexity of the situation, I have had to hire expensive lawyers to claim the inheritance in my name and ensure that Karl’s wishes are duly respected,” Caçote expands on his situation of not having received the legacy that the designer left for the care of what was his pet.
The actual life of Choupette
“What I know is that Choupette is happy at home, and that is the most important thing,” the former housekeeper also says. Choupette’s story is one of the most unique in the world of fashion. The cat of Burmese ray She became the inseparable companion of the former creative director of Chanel and one of the most influential figures in the luxury industry. Lagerfeld went so far as to publicly declare that he felt exceptional affection for her and that he even felt that she was the center of his world.
During the last years of Lagerfeld’s life, Choupette became an Internet celebrity. He lived next to the designer in his Parisian residence, ate from luxury bowls, had personalized care and accumulated a couple of hundred thousand followers on social networks.
Its popularity even became a business, since, according to data released by Lagerfeld’s entourage, the cat would have generated around three million dollars in 2014 thanks to advertising campaigns and commercial collaborations. Its image appeared in photo shoots, fashion editorials and promotional actions that established it as one of the most recognizable animals on the planet.
However, after the designer’s death, commercial interest around Choupette began to decline. Without the creative and media machinery that Lagerfeld promoted, his public presence was considerably reduced.
Karl Lagerfeld’s legacy remains subject to legal disputes and to the complexity of the succession process, including challenges to your will and possible claims by third parties. Added to this is also that French law does not allow animals to be direct heirsso any provision in your favor must be made through a person or entity in charge of your care. Meanwhile, Choupette resides in Paris under Caçote’s care, far from the media life and luxury environment that made her a global icon of the fashion world.
The Vanguard.
GML
