Karl Lagerfeld left $1.5million to his cat Choupette - so why is she now broke and living with the legendary fashion designer's former housekeeper?

Published: 22:00, 30 May 2026 | Updated: 22:18, 30 May 2026 She has been called the world's richest cat. Accustomed to private jets and a personal chef, Choupette has lapped up a life of luxury. The pure-bred Birman was German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld's beloved pet, and on his death in 2019 reportedly inherited at least $1.5million (£1.1million). But today she is broke and living off the kindness of Lagerfeld's former housekeeper. 'We have received absolutely nothing,' said Francoise Cacote, who was Lagerfeld's faithful French housemaid. 'I work part-time to support her,' she told Atlantic Magazine. Lagerfeld, the long-time creative director of Chanel, made it clear that he wanted Choupette well cared for after his death. 'I'm doing my best to honour his wishes,' Ms Cacote said.  Karl Lagerfeld's beloved cat Choupette is now broke and living off the kindness of the fashion designer's former housekeeper Choupette has lapped up a life of luxury before the passing of her owner in 2019 Choupette, now 14, lived with Lagerfeld at his £10million Paris home beside the Seine, where she ate from designer Maison Goyard bowls.  Today she shares an apartment with Ms Cacote, her husband, their children, and their rescue cat. It is a dramatic fall from grace for the moggy Lagerfeld adored. 'I have only one great love: my cat, Choupette,' he said. 'She is the centre of the world.' Choupette became one of the world's most lucrative feline models, earning $3million in 2014 alone from advertising. But without Lagerfeld to direct campaigns, her career has slowed. Now Lagerfeld's will is being challenged in court, with it being claimed he was of unsound mind when he bequeathed his $150million estate. But French law does not allow animals to inherit money or property. 'I have had to hire expensive lawyers to claim the inheritance in my name,' Ms Cacote said. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.