Best selling author Maeve Binchy has left almost $4 million to her closest friends, various charities and even her local golf club in her will.
Her husband Gordon Snell received two thirds of her $14 million estate and properties in Dublin and London.
The “Tara Road” and “Circle of Friends” author’s generosity has been revealed in documents filed in Dublin’s probate office, according to a report in the Irish Independent.
Binchy, whose fans include Oprah Winfrey, sold over 40 million books worldwide after the publication of her first novel ‘Light A Penny Candle’ in 1982.
She died in 2012 at the age of 72 and was so passionate about her will that she rewrote it 42 times in her lifetime.
The final draft was witnessed by Donal Finnegan, the owner of her local pub Finnegan’s in the Dublin suburb of Dalkey.
A third of her estate is to be divided between relatives, 18 friends and charities including the Marie Curie Memorial Foundation and Saint Luke’s Hospital.
She also gifted $14,000 to 29 individuals and groups, including the Foxrock Golf Club.
Before she died Binchy confessed that she was a ‘great will maker.’ She added, “I’ve made a will every year since I was 21.”
The report says that through the years, Binchy made note of items that would have particular resonance and relevance to her closest friends.
The paper reveals that she left Moira Armstrong a ‘bishop’s chain’ as Armstrong had frequently complimented her on the eye-catching piece.
Eunice Bailey of Rathgar was left a round silver tray as Binchy suspected ‘she will know the names of the lawyers inscribed thereon.’
Della O’Clery received a set of hand-cut glass decanters which are to be raised in a toast to Binchy within the next three months.
Former colleague Mary Maher was left Binchy’s collection of literary magazines – The Bell. Maher said: “Receiving the pile of precious magazines is wonderful and fantastic.”
Binchy was paid a record $100,000 advance for her first novel ‘Light a Penny Candle’ and went on to outsell Irish literary figures including Oscar Wilde, James Joyce and Seamus Heaney.
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