Karl Lagerfeld, a heavy financial worry responsible for his illness? “He hid it well…”

Karl Lagerfeld, who died at the age of 85, was at the head of a veritable empire. Spending lavishly, the legendary fashion designer lived in a private mansion dating from the 18th century in the heart of the 7th arrondissement of Paris. Since bought by Gabon in 2010, it was the venue for social evenings organized by the fashion designer who paid fortunes to Patrick Hourcade, a former historian who became artistic director of Vogue, to arrange his apartments.

“The designer was then just one tenant among others in this large building designed in 1706 by the architect Pierre Cailleteau and acquired the following year by the Marquis de Maisons. The owners are the Pozzo di Borgo, an old family, one of whose heirs is Philippe Pozzo di Borgo.” precise The world which reminds us that this famous Philippe Pozzo di Borgo is the man who inspired the film Untouchables with François Cluzet and Omar Sy.

Compulsive buyer, Karl Lagerfeld spends crazy sums decorating his interiors to the point that he begins to accumulate thousands of euros in debt. “The purchases of works of art have never stopped. Until the flow suddenly dried up. Patrick Hourcade sees again, in the green room of the Hotel Pozzo di Borgo, the defeated expression of his friend’s business manager. Lagerfeld owes a considerable amount of money to the taxman. He is close to bankruptcy. He didn’t say a word about this situation to those around him.” explain the journalists of World. For his part, Patrick Hourcade is convinced that these concerns are the reason why he developed an illness:“He hid it well, instead he made it into cancers”.

Colossal debts

To “replenish“, the Chanel fashion designer sells an 18th century collection during a major auction organized in 2000 by Christie’s.”The sale of nearly four hundred objects brings in 149 million francs (32 million euros)” reports the newspaper. A very meager sum compared to all he owes. When he died in 2019, he had accumulated enormous debts. His estate is also blocked by considerable tax debts, thus hindering the execution of his will.

As a reminder, the eight heirs designated in his will are Baptiste Giabiconi, who inherits 30% of the final amount, as well as Sébastien Jondeau, Brad Kroenig, Virginie Viard, Caroline Lebar, Amanda Harlech, Sophie de Langlade and Françoise Cacote, Lagerfeld’s housekeeper , who must take care of his precious cat Choupette.