Prolific composer Burt Bacharach had only $200,000 in “personal property” at the time of his death, though he may have saved significantly more in a trust fund – much of which will go to UCLA.
Bacharach died on February 8, 2023 at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 94. The Oscar winner wrote hits like “Raindrops Keep Fallin on My Head” and dozens of other songs.
However, according to widow Jane Bacharach’s claims, he did not appear to own any “property” at the time of his death.
Jane submitted the information — including a copy of her late husband’s will — as part of a Los Angeles County probate process.
She is clearly identified as the executor and as executor and trustee of the Bacharach Family Trust, which may have significantly more assets, but the exact number is unclear.
Legendary composer Burt Bacharach had only $200,000 in “personal property” at the time of his death, although he may have saved significantly more in a trust, much of which will go to UCLA
According to The Blast, Bacharach wanted half of his community property to go directly to Jane, with the other half going into the trust.
Celebrities often put much of their money — in Bacharach’s case, the right to future earnings from his music — into a foundation to avoid tax bills and look after his children.
In fact, Bacharach’s three surviving children are listed as “beneficiaries” of his family foundation.
No one seems to contest the will, although Bacharach made it clear that anyone who did would receive nothing.
The UCLA Foundation, which it says promotes “philanthropy and the stewardship of donated resources to advance UCLA,” will also benefit from the foundation.
The Say a Little Prayer creator has composed more than 500 songs throughout his career — and won six Grammy Awards.
During his seven-decade career, he won a lifetime achievement award and wrote for the likes of Dionne Warwick, Cilla Black, Tom Jones and Dusty Springfield.
The star teamed up with Dionne Warwick in 1961 – 39 of their chart hits were written by Bacharach and lyricist Hal David.
Fourth Mrs. Jane Bacharach (pictured right) is clearly identified as the executor and executor and trustee of the Bacharach Family Trust, which may have significantly more assets, but the exact number is unclear
Academy Award-winning Bacharach wrote hits like “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” and dozens of other hits
During his seven-decade career, he won a lifetime achievement award and wrote for the likes of Dionne Warwick, Cilla Black, Tom Jones and Dusty Springfield. Pictured: Appearing with Adele at the BBC Electric Proms in 2008
Bacharach vowed never to retire, saying in 2018, “Music softens the heart, makes you feel something when it’s good, evokes emotions you might not have felt before.”
“It’s a very powerful thing when you’re able to do that, when you have it in your heart to do something like that.”
His works have been covered by Elvis Presley, the Beatles and Frank Sinatra, as well as more modern artists – the White Stripes, Twista and Ashanti.
“Walk On By” has been covered by everyone from Warwick and Isaac Hayes to British punk band The Stranglers and Cyndi Lauper.
He had a string of top 10 hits from the 1950s through the 21st century and his music has been heard on everything from movie soundtracks and radios to home stereos and iPods.
Bacharach has been a frequent White House guest over the years and was presented with the Gershwin Prize by Barack Obama in 2012.
In 1970 he received two Oscars, for the score of “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and for the song “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head”.
Bacharach’s last photo was posted to his Instagram account in October last year at his home, where he was producing a final album, which was released in 2020
In 1982, he and then-wife, lyricist Carole Bayer Sager, won the Oscar for Best That You Can Do, the subject of Arthur.
His other film soundtracks include What’s New, Pussycat?, Alfie and the 1967 James Bond spoof Casino Royale.
Bacharach has been married four times, marrying Paula Stewart in 1953 before the couple separated in 1958 – but remained friends for more than three decades.
In 1965 he married actress Angie Dickinson and the couple had a daughter, Nikki, who committed suicide in 2007.
Bacharach divorced Angie in 1981 and married lyricist Carole Bayer Sager in 1982. The couple adopted Christopher Elton Bacharach before divorcing in 1991.
The Say a Little Prayer creator has composed more than 500 songs throughout his career — and won six Grammy Awards
The star teamed up with Dionne Warwick in 1961 – 39 of their chart hits were written by the duo
In 1965 he married actress Angie Dickinson and the couple had a daughter, Nikki, who committed suicide in 2007. Pictured: 1969 with Angie and Nikki
Bacharach married his fourth wife, Jane Hansen, in 1993 and they had two children together – son Oliver and daughter Raleigh.
Athlete Jane is 32 years his junior, and the pair largely stayed out of the limelight for a couple of red carpet appearances.
With the creation of A Boy Called Po, he paid tribute to his late daughter Nikki, who was undiagnosed with autism.
The film features a young widower father raising a son with autism and marked his first original score in 17 years.
During the pandemic, Bacharach – 92 – was working on a new collaboration with Nashville singer-songwriter Daniel Tashian.
Bacharach has been a frequent White House guest over the years and was presented with the Gershwin Prize by Barack Obama in 2012
In 1957, Bacharach began his legendary partnership with songwriter Hal David before continuing a long collaboration with singer Dionne Warwick
In 1982, he and his then-wife, lyricist Carole Bayer Sager, won Oscars for “Best That You Can Do,” the Arthurian theme song
The pair released a five-song EP titled Blue Umbrella in July 2020, and managed to capitalize on the time difference.
It was Bacharach’s first album in 15 years and he was happy to be kept busy during the coronavirus pandemic.
At the time, he said, “In these times, it’s like a lifesaver.”
Born on May 12, 1928 in Kansas City, Missouri, Bacharach began playing the piano at his mother’s urging. His love of music grew while he was a teenager living in Queens, New York.
He had access to the nightclubs where jazz greats Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker performed.
Legendary composer Burt Bacharach has died at his home in LA at the age of 94, his publicist has confirmed
It was a partnership that ended in disaster after a 1973 remake of Lost Horizon fell through – resulting in Bacharach isolating at his Del Mar vacation home and refusing to work
Bacharach enjoyed spending time at his home in LA, where he died of natural causes on Wednesday
Athlete Jane is 32 years his junior, and the pair largely stayed out of the limelight for a couple of red carpet appearances. Pictured: The couple together at the 2006 Grammys
The star completed his formal music education at McGill University in Montreal, Mannes School of Music in New York City and Music Academy of the West in Montecito, California.
He then served as a pianist in an officers’ club in the army between 1950 and 1952.
Shortly after his release, Bacharach began playing with singers and musicians he met in nightclubs – and soon realized he could write such songs.
He returned to New York to hone his signature style, saying he “didn’t try to break any rules” and that his new style of music came “very naturally” to him.
In 1957, Bacharach began his legendary partnership with songwriter Hal David before continuing a long collaboration with singer Dionne Warwick.
It was a partnership that ended in disaster after a 1973 remake of Lost Horizon fell through – resulting in Bacharach isolating at his Del Mar vacation home and refusing to work.
He was sued by Warwick and David after failing to fulfill his obligation to record the singer, but eventually reconciled with the lyricist before his death in 2012.