Celebrity Justice
Heath Worth a Helluva Lot More Than $145K

There have been news reports that Heath Ledger left a grand total of $145,000 in his estate, and, as a result, his daughter might not be taken care of properly -- BOGUS!

True, we know the will lists $145,000 in assets. But here's the deal. The will was drafted in 2003. Since then, sources say, Heath accumulated lots of jack, from movies like "Lords of Dogtown," "The Brothers Grimm," "Brokeback Mountain," "Casanova," "Candy," "I'm Not There" and "The Dark Knight."

We're told Heath has considerably more assets than the $145k. On top of that, sources say he lived all over the world and was smart enough to know all of his money shouldn't sit in the U.S., where taxes are a bitch.

On the other hand, one of Heath's uncles has said the late actor's estate is valued at $60 mil. We're told that's absurd as well (on the high side), and the uncle doesn't know jack since he's been estranged from the family as well.

Bottom line -- Matilda will be fine, and there's a lot of $$$ on the line.

Heath Ledger -- click to launch

Reader Comments

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31. I have two actor children (adults) One was actually in The Ten Things I Hate About You with Heath.
You would be surprised how little actors' take home pay ends up. They have to pay their agent (10%) their manager (15%) their publicist (5%) Then there are security people and income tax preparers.
Also out of your earnings are payments to the Screen Actor's Guild, AFTRA, Actor's Equity, Federal tax, state tax, medicare and social security tax.
Add it up yourself.
Heath took roles not for how much money he would be paid but for how great the parts were.
$145,000 would be on the low side but sixty million? I really doubt that.
Did he pay cash for the Brooklyn loft, for instance? That would take a chunk out of your savings.

Posted at 5:51PM on Mar 25th 2008 by B Ling

32. IT IS NONE OF OUR BUSINESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 5:52PM on Mar 25th 2008 by lauren

33. well, duh! the apartment in soho he was found in cost $25,000/month...at that rate the $145,000 wouldn't have lasted him very long!

Posted at 5:59PM on Mar 25th 2008 by esby77

34. Why is it that everyone is worried about whether or not little Matilda will have lots of dough..If she were from a normal family and her daddy passed no one would make a fuss. The mom would work and support them. But of course because Heath had bank that little girl needs to grow up spoiled. Why doesnt anyone ask, how will that little girl grow up without a dad not how will she grow up without his money? Serisouly though!

Posted at 6:03PM on Mar 25th 2008 by yesme

35. Why is everyone so worried about the kid? It's not like mom lives in a trailer park.

Posted at 6:04PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Mark Smith

36. Why is ANY of this the public's business? You nosey stupid bastards

Posted at 6:06PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Awww, don't cry

37. I've heard enough about this pill popping loser.

Posted at 6:13PM on Mar 25th 2008 by dust

38. Why not file a wrongful death lawsuit against those Billionare Scarecrows called the Olsen Twins, you know the ones that gave Keith the DRUGS that killed him...

Posted at 6:25PM on Mar 25th 2008 by bewildered bystanders

39. The $145,000.00 is probably the money he had in the U.S. when he died. Even if the will was updated, it would not necessarily indicate the dollar amount of his assets, which constantly fluctuates. Regardless, no way this guy had $60 million. even at $5 million a movie for the last half-dozen, which I bet he did not get, except maybe for the yet-unreleased Batman movie, that would be "only" $30 million. Subtract what the agent, manager, tax man and others take out of that and he probably was left with maybe half of that, or $15 million, before his regular living expenses. Subtract what he spent over the last 5 years and the Estate is probably not much over $10 million. Certainly not chump change, but certainly not $60 million.

Posted at 6:26PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Jane

40. Jane is stupid.

Posted at 6:33PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Tarzan

41. The apartment was owned by Olsen Enterprises.

Posted at 6:33PM on Mar 25th 2008 by moogly doogly do-da-da

42. #38 Jane

You are probably just about right.

Posted at 6:41PM on Mar 25th 2008 by FlBiker

43. who cares about his money....gold digging family thats who...and matildas momma makes bank so whats the big effing deal??i think shell be fine......... i am and im broke! lol

Posted at 6:49PM on Mar 25th 2008 by SolizGiRl

44. Isn't this what so many of us were trying to tell TMZ in response to the 'Broker than a Joker' story the other day?

Posted at 6:47PM on Mar 25th 2008 by MH

45. If Michelle had wanted his money she'd have married him, not broken up with him, All American Dork.

Posted at 6:57PM on Mar 25th 2008 by .

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