In an ideal world, each divorce would neatly resolve all property division disputes – allowing ex-spouses and family members to move on with no unanswered questions. As various cases have shown us again and again, this just isn’t how the world works. The most recent incident involves convicted murderer Phil Spector, his ex-wife, his daughter, and a treasure trove of priceless memorabilia.
Phil Spector’s “Interesting” Family History
To say that Phillip Spector had an interesting life would be an understatement. During the 1960s, he was one of the most successful record producers of his time – becoming famous for working with The Beatles, Leonard Cohen, the Ramones, and Tina Turner, to name but a few. He was also a skilled songwriter, penning tunes such as “Then He Kissed Me” by The Crystals.
During the 80s, 90s, and 2000s, Spector went through a period of inactivity and seclusion, withdrawing almost entirely from the music industry. Things went even further south when he was convicted of murdering actress Lana Clarkson in 2003. He died of coronavirus complications while serving a 19-year sentence in California.
During his time in prison, he filed for divorce from his ex-wife – Rachelle Short. In 2018, the divorce was finalized – and this is where things became complicated for his daughter, Nicole Spector. Nicole comes from Phil’s relationship with his girlfriend Janis Zavala and was born in 1982. She claims that a certain collection of memorabilia is owned by a trust that her father set up specifically in her name.
What’s the Big Deal About Phil’s Memorabilia?
You might be wondering why Phil’s daughter is so intent on getting her hands on a few pieces of memorabilia from her father’s days as a record producer. Her desire for these assets should become clear when you consider their value. According to various reports, this treasure trove of collectibles includes:
- Original platinum records
- Original gold records
- Various awards
- Original master recordings
- Music sheets
- Lyric sheets
- Gifts from John Lennon
Make no mistake: These items are extremely valuable – and people are willing to pay exorbitant sums for them. Collectibles are far more valuable than many people realize, and they can outperform the stock market in many situations. Original platinum record awards may be extremely lucrative, depending on the artist. Original master recordings may be even more sought-after.
Phil’s Daughter Reaches Settlement With Auction House
On November 3, 2023, it was reported that Phil’s daughter had finally reached a settlement with an auction house that was about to sell this memorabilia. This was after she had obtained a temporary restraining order preventing the auction house from selling the items – a restraining order that the presiding judge is still enforcing until this issue is completely finalized. It is not clear how many items were sold before Nicole was able to cease the auctions, but it seems as though her claim to the property was, in fact, legitimate.
About the author