Heartbreaking final words. A shocking division of wealth. A turbulent relationship. Everything
about David Cassidy’s death was truly shocking — and you might be surprised to find out that
the “Partridge Family” star did not leave anything to this member of his family.
David Cassidy was a singer, songwriter, and actor best known for his role in The Partridge Family.
With his role as a teen heartthrob, Cassidy achieved fame some can only dream about. It's
believed that at the height of his popularity, he received 30,000 fan letters a week,
according to Today. Later, he had a thriving solo career and continued doing tours.
Despite his success, Cassidy confessed in 2008 that he had been struggling with alcohol
and drug abuse. He was arrested several times for
DUI and was sentenced to rehab. He later revealed to People that he had dementia.
David Cassidy died in November 2017.
“1970s teen idol David Cassidy has died at the age of 67.”
It's believed that years of alcoholism brought on liver failure.
TMZ explained that Cassidy was in need of a liver transplant and that he also had kidney failure.
Months after his death, Reuters reported that Cassidy had confessed to lying about
having dementia to conceal that he was still drinking. According to People,
he had told friends and family that he was sober after a stint in rehab in 2014.
Cassidy was married three times and was survived by his two children,
his son Beau Cassidy and daughter Katie Cassidy. Although Cassidy was her biological father,
Katie was raised by her mother, Sherry Williams, and her stepfather.
For reasons they perhaps only know, the father and daughter reportedly had a tumultuous relationship.
Although they spoke highly of each other, the father and daughter were often estranged.
According to People, Cassidy left his entire estate to his son, Beau.
Although The Blast states that he left $150,000 in assets, Beau inherited much more.
A $450,000 retirement plan and a $1 million life insurance policy purportedly left him with a total
of $1.68 million, 10 times the original sum that was reported. In fact, NBC News reports
that in 2015, Cassidy filed for bankruptcy and claimed he had a debt of $10 million.
This news came following several arrests and a divorce from Beau's mother.
AP News writes that Cassidy willed all of his music-related relics to his three half brothers:
Shaun, Ryan, and Patrick. However, he completely cut out daughter Katie Cassidy from his will.
The father and daughter first formed a relationship when Katie was in the fourth grade.
From there, the relationship had its ups and downs — so much so that in a 2004 will,
David Cassidy purportedly wrote,
"It is my specific intent not to provide any benefits hereunder to Katherine Evelyn Cassidy
and/or any descendant of Katherine Evelyn Cassidy."
In a People interview, he stated that he was her biological father, and that was it.
Despite this, it's believed that Katie was by his side before his death,
according to numerous reports. She seems to have no ill feelings toward Cassidy, as she has gone
on to say that he provided her with guidance and that his death brought her and her family closer.
AP News reports that it's unknown what caused the division between Cassidy and his daughter Katie.
Whatever the case, it's believed that they were estranged on and off throughout the years.
Katie later told Us Weekly that she believed that Cassidy was amazing but added,
"Sadly, he had some demons."
In a 2009 interview with People, the father and daughter opened up about their non-conventional
relationship. Cassidy admitted that he did not raise Katie but that was still there for her.
Katie described him as being her "friend." Nonetheless,
Katie decided to work in show business just like her father.
Katie is best known for her role on the hit show “Arrow.”
Additionally, she has starred in “Gossip Girl,” “Melrose Place,”
and more. When asked what the best advice he had given his daughter was, David Cassidy stated,
"Do not work for money. Do not work for fame. Work for the work."
In a 2017 article from People, Cassidy expressed that he was no longer in contact with Katie.
Despite this, he added that he was honored to be her father.
He went on to explain that his relationship with his son Beau was stronger than ever.
Although Cassidy had to deal with a number of family issues caused by his addictions,
Katie, Beau, and his ex-wife Sue came to his aid when he was hospitalized at the end of his life,
as reported by People. ABC News shared that after his death,
Katie revealed David Cassidy's last words were, quote, "so much wasted time."
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available.
Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website
or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).