Tag: victoria duffy

Acclaimed actor Dennis Hopper died Saturday from prostate cancer but the fallout from his divorce battle with his fifth wife, Victoria Duffy, is likely to continue on for long after his death.

 

Dennis Hopper filed for divorce from Victoria Duffy in January, but was unable to have the divorce finalized before his death. Hopper fought bitterly to make his divorce from Duffy official before he died, but lost his battle with advanced prostate cancer before it was final.

Under a prenuptial agreement between Hopper and Duffy, she is reportedly entitled to receive 25 percent of Hopper’s fortune and a $250,000 life insurance policy, among other assets. According to the prenup, Duffy was only eligible to receive the payout if they were married and living together at the time of Hopper’s death.

Victoria Duffy is expected to argue that she was “living” with Dennis Hopper when he died because she was living at a house on his property. Hopper spent his final days in another house on the same property. Hopper’s lawyers, however, are preparing to fight Duffy’s claims in court.

In court papers filed by Hopper seeking to divorce Duffy, the Easy Rider star claimed his estranged wife was “insane and out of her mind with “inhuman tendencies”. He also accused her of stealing more than $1.5 million in artwork from him and had a restraining order banning her from his home.

Before their bitter separation, Duffy and Hopper were married for 14 years and had one child together, now 7-year-old daughter Galen.

>> Previously:  Easy Rider Star Dennis Hopper Dead at 74

Actor and director Dennis Hopper died Saturday at his home in Venice, CA at the age of 74. The Easy Rider and Hoosiers star was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer last year.

Dennis Hopper was reportedly surrounded by friends and family when he died Saturday at his home after a long battle with prostate cancer. Hopper was diagnosed with the disease last October. In January, it was reported that Hopper’s cancer had metastasized to his bones.

Last month, in court papers filed in divorce proceedings against wife Victoria Duffy, Hopper’s lawyer stated the actor was terminally ill and could not undergo chemotherapy to treat his cancer.

Peter Fonda, who starred with Hopper in Easy Rider, was struck hard by his death. “We rode the highways of American and changed the way movies were made in Hollywood,” Fonda said. “I was blessed by his passion and friendship.”

“We’re all saddened by Dennis Hopper’s passing. A very cool cat,” Playboy founder Hugh Hefner posted on his Twitter feed.

A nasty battle over Dennis Hopper’s estate is almost certain. Hopper was unable to finalize his divorce from estranged wife Victoria Duffy before his death. Duffy is expected to demand funds set out for her in the former couple’s pre-nuptial agreement, as well as $250,000 in life insurance. Hopper’s lawyers, however, are reportedly planning to fight back against Duffy’s claims.

Dennis Hopper was married five times during his life and is survived by four children and two granddaughters.

>> Related:  Dennis Hopper Dies at Age 74 and Hollywood Loses a Legend