When David Bowie died in 2016, the tragic news left a huge hole in the music world.
The rock-and-roll legend passed away just two days after his 69th birthday following a secret 18-month battle with liver cancer.
At the time of his death, the Grammy-winner was worth around $US100 million ($A150 million), including a vast collection of properties.
Here is a breakdown of the homes Bowie owned and who inherited his estate.
MORE: ‘Ran away’: Real reason 80s icon disappeared
90s star’s sad health battle exposed
Brittany Murphy’s untouched ‘cursed’ home
David Bowie died in 2016 following a secret 18-month battle with liver cancer. Picture: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
David Bowie performs on stage on his alter ego Ziggy Stardust in 1973. Picture: Michael Putland/Getty Images
David Bowie’s secret Aussie home
In 1983, Bowie snapped up a three-bedroom unit in Sydney’s eastern suburbs for $700,000.
Located in Elizabeth Bay, the Rebel Rebel hit maker had used the pied a terre as his Sydney base for his month-long trips to far north Queensland and the outback during the 80s.
When the singer owned the home, it was said to be as ‘out there’ and ‘bizarre’ as the late music superstar itself.
Apparently Bowie had wall to ceiling mirrors installed in the living room and a chest high glass shelf ran around much of the main areas of the apartment.
The music star offloaded the apartment in 1992 for $1,250,000.
According to news.com.au, Bowie sold his slice of Sydney real estate after marrying Iman because he wouldn’t be travelling to Australia as much.
The home, walking distance to the old Kings Cross, was last sold in 2023 for $8.8 million.
In 1983, Bowie snapped up a three-bedroom unit in Sydney’s eastern suburbs for $700,000.
The music star offloaded the apartment in 1992 for $1,250,000.
What happened to David Bowie’s other properties?
The musician’s real estate portfolio included homes in Switzerland, Caribbean and America.
Bowie and his supermodel wife Iman purchased two penthouses in NYC in 1999 for $US4 million ($A6 million) and combined them into a loft.
This was where the couple resided at the time of Bowie’s death.
The Labyrinth actor purchased a 14-room estate in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1982.
He sold the property in 1999 for £2.5 million ($A5 million), apparently because Iman did not like the quiet Swiss life.
The same year, the flamboyant rocker also sold a Los Angeles property for an estimated £5 million ($A10 million), according to the Daily Mail.
The Labyrinth actor purchased a 14-room estate in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1982. Picture: Supplied
The Let’s Dance singer owned a 5-bedroom Caribbean villa on the island of Mustique.
Known as Mandalay Estate, Bowie had the residence built for him in 1989. He sold it in 1995 for $US5 million ($A7.5 million).
In recent years, the property was available to rent for $US40,000 ($A60,000) to $US70,000 ($A105,000) per week.
The Let’s Dance singer owned a 5-bedroom Caribbean villa on the island of Mustique. Picture: Supplied
In 2011, Bowie and Iman secretly purchased a three-bedroom house in Upstate New York for $US1.98million ($A2.9 million).
The family later renovated the home, adding two more bedrooms and bathrooms, along with expansive windows to showcase the scenic views.
“They intended for it to be their forever home, the place that they would be in when they were old and gray,” model, activist, and friend of Iman Bethann Hardison told Vogue in 2021.
Bowie and Iman renovated the Upstate New York home, adding two more bedrooms and bathrooms. Picture: Instagram
Who inherited David Bowie’s Estate?
According to his will, Bowie directed that his property and money be divided among his wife, his two children, Duncan Jones and Lexi Zahra Jones, a personal assistant and a former nanny.
Iman received roughly half of his fortune, plus the couple’s apartment on Lafayette Street in Manhattan, Page Six reports.
She received an estimated $US50 million ($A75 million) payout managed by two of Bowie’s lawyers. He directed his lawyers to pay his wife income from the trust four times a year.
Iman could ask for additional funds to support her “health, education and maintenance,” the will specified.
Bowie’s wife Iman received roughly half of his fortune when he died. Picture: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images
Bowie’s son Duncan received a quarter of his father’s estate. Picture: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
Bowie’s son Duncan, whose mum is actress Angela Barnett, received about $US25 million ($A37 million), a quarter of his father’s estate.
Like her half-brother, Lexi, Bowie’s daughter with Iman, also inherited 25 per cent of his assets, which was held in trust until she turned 25.
Lexi received her father’s vacation home on Little Tonshi Mountain in upstate New York.
Bowie carved out a few million dollars for his favourite household staff, too.
Marion Skene, of Switzerland, who was Duncan’s nanny, won a hefty $US1 million ($A1.5 million) payout.
Friend and personal assistant Corinne Coco Schwab of Manhattan, whom he named guardian of his daughter in case her mother dies before she turned 18, received $US2 million ($A3 million).
In January 2022, Bowie’s estate sold his publishing catalogue to Warner Chappell for $US250 million ($A375 million).
The deal includes over six decades of music, 26 studio albums released in his lifetime, one album released posthumously, and roughly 400 songs.
Parts of this story first appeared in Page Six and was republished with permission.
MORE: ‘Hated’: Iconic 90s star’s fame killed marriage
English (US) · 