Farrah Fawcett Left Partner Ryan O'Neal Nothing — Her Son Got Millions Yet Was Arrested for Robbery
Farrah Fawcett's death led to a legal battle between her longtime partner Ryan O'Neal and a former boyfriend after the actress left a multi-million dollar painting for her ex. On the other hand, her son also faced charges after robbing a convenience store.
Farrah Fawcett was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful actresses of her time and a doting mother to her only son, Redmond. Up until her final days, Fawcett only thought about Redmond's safety and security when she would leave the world.
Although the actress left a $4.5 million inheritance for her son, his life was derailed following bouts of drug addiction. Eventually, he was arrested for robbing a convenience store at knifepoint.
Farrah Fawcett, Ryan O'Neal, and their only son, Redmond, during a red carpet event. | Source: Getty Images
FAWCETT'S TRAGIC END
The stunning actress was a '70s sex symbol and Hollywood star, especially after fame on "Charlie's Angels." Sadly, her three-decade-long career ended with a battle against anal cancer, which at that time was not common.
Fawcett received the diagnosis in 2006 and underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Throughout her struggle, the "Small Sacrifices" star had herself filmed to turn her experience into a documentary. In one of the scenes, her longtime partner, Ryan O'Neal, sobbed while saying:
“We had all better brace ourselves.”
Farrah Fawcett and Ryan O'Neal, circa 1989. | Source: Getty Images
Fawcett worried greatly about her only son, Redmond, whom she shares with Ryan in her final days. Her friend, Mela Murphy, recalled:
“She was saying his name, 'Redmond.' That was the last thing she said. I told her I'd take good care of him, that I'll always be there for him. I said, 'You can go now,' It was just a few hours before she died.”
Fawcett took her last breath on June 25, 2009, at the age of 62. In lieu of flowers, her family requested donations be made to The Farrah Fawcett Foundation for cancer research.
Fawcett left O'Neal broken-hearted following her death, especially since they had plans to tie the knot. Right before her passing, Ryan asked Fawcett to marry him, to which she gave her sweet yes.
Fawcett and Ryan fell in love in 1979, when the golden girl was still married to Lee Majors. Their on-and-off relationship saw turbulent times.
"The priest at St. John's Hospital arrives to marry us but administers the last rites instead," he said. The following day, the doctors turned off Fawcett's life support, and she died a few hours later, beside her beloved partner.
LEFT WITH NOTHING BUT MEMORIES
Fawcett's list of inheritors came following her death, and Ryan was not part of it. She did, however, leave her college boyfriend, Greg Lott, with an Andy Warhol painting estimated to be about $30 million. However, Ryan claimed that Fawcett gave him the artwork to be passed on to their son, Redmond.
The dispute eventually reached court, with Lott claiming he loved Fawcett until the end. Speaking about Ryan, he said:
“He kept me from seeing the love of my life before she died. Photos don't make a relationship. I know what I had with her. He didn't have that. He blew it.”
Farrah Fawcett and Ryan O'Neal during the after-party for "Malibu's Most Wanted" at the Highlands on April 10, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
After nearly all jurors found the actor's testimony credible, Ryan was eventually granted ownership of the Andy Warhol portrait.
On the other hand, Fawcett left her son with a $4.5 million trust fund overseen by her business manager, Richard Francis. The trust indicated that the principal could be used for healthcare-related expenses only. However, Redmond could collect interest. Attorney Andrew W. Mayoras said:
“This means Francis can spend as much money as he deems advisable for rehabilitation without paying anything directly to him for fear of it being spent on drugs, etc.”
REDMOND'S LIFE AFTER FAWCETT'S DEATH
Despite being left a grand sum of money to rebuild his life, Redmond chose to go down the wrong path. Adding to his several drug and weapon-related charges in the past, Redmond was arrested yet again for robbing a convenience store at knifepoint.
According to police reports, Redmond walked into a Santa Monica store and demanded to take the money from the register while armed. After the clerk handed him an undisclosed amount, Redmond left.
The actress' son was held on $50,000 bail following the arrest and was due to appear in court. However, he was deemed "incompetent" to stand trial by a commissioner. He has since been diagnosed with several disorders.
RYAN'S LIFE AFTER FAWCETT'S DEATH
Ryan found great difficulty coping with Fawcett's death, especially after being by her side until the end. Fawcett's friend, Murphy, recalled:
“The night before she died, he was talking and talking, leading up to the story of when he first met Farrah. It was his way of telling her how much he loved her.”
He still often payed tribute to the late start through social media posts. "There was never a day I didn't love her," he said.
Fawcett and Ryan fell in love in 1979, when the golden girl was still married to Lee Majors. Their on-and-off relationship saw turbulent times, but Fawcett took care of him when Ryan was diagnosed with leukemia in 2001.
"Ryan was the love of her life," Fawcett's friend, Sylvia Dorsey, said. "I don't think she was happy without him. They fought and loved with [a] passion. It was never boring. They were electric together."
Many of Fawcett's other friends can vouch for the unconditional love that they shared until the end. Undoubtedly, Fawcett passed away happily, knowing that she and Ryan shared a bond that not many would be blessed to experience.
Ryan O'Neal, Oscar-nominated star of "Love Story" and "Paper Moon," passed away at 82. His son Patrick announced the news on social media, paying tribute to his father as his hero and describing his peaceful passing surrounded by loved ones.
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