Black Panther’s Brothers Sue Widow Over Actor’s Multimillion-Dollar Estate

The brothers of late Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman have taken legal action against his widow, Taylor Simone Ledward, over her handling of the actor’s multimillion-dollar estate.

According to a report by the BBC, Derrick Boseman and Kevin Boseman filed a petition before a Los Angeles court seeking an order compelling Ledward to distribute funds from the estate to family members and removing her as its administrator.

The brothers accused Ledward of mishandling the distribution of Boseman’s assets, alleging that she “cannot be trusted with the continued administration of the estate”.

Boseman died aged 43 in August 2020, four years after he was diagnosed with colon cancer. He gained global recognition for portraying T’Challa, king of Wakanda, in Marvel’s 2018 blockbuster Black Panther, a role that earned him widespread acclaim.

Court documents seen by the BBC showed that Boseman had assets valued at about $3.8 million (£2.9 million) when he died. He reportedly died without leaving a will.

Following his death, a court ruled that 50 per cent of the estate should go to Ledward, while 25 per cent each should go to Boseman’s parents, Leroy and Carolyn Boseman. Ledward was also appointed administrator of the estate.

The actor’s brothers filed the latest petition last week on behalf of their parents.

In the filing, they alleged that Ledward had “still not distributed the estate” and had continued to “exert unilateral control” over it.

They further accused her of creating a “lack of transparency” surrounding Boseman’s assets and allegedly keeping his parents uninformed about the deals and operations of a company established to manage the late actor’s image and intellectual property rights.

According to the brothers, Ledward’s alleged actions were causing “ongoing harm” to Boseman’s elderly parents by depriving them of financial assets “at a vulnerable age when such support is most critical”.

The petition also claimed that the prolonged dispute was preventing the family from finding closure and causing emotional distress.

“Imagine flipping through the channels and stumbling on a film starring your deceased son or brother, knowing that someone you do not know or trust is profiting from his image without your input or consent,” the filing stated.

Ledward, an R&B artist who performs under the name Sahn, began dating Boseman in 2015. The pair married in 2020, just six days before the actor died.

The BBC said it had contacted Ledward’s lawyer for comment.

In a statement to US media, Boseman’s brothers said they were acting on behalf of their parents and wanted the dispute resolved with transparency and accountability.

“On behalf of our parents, we are committed to ensuring that transparency, accountability, and respect guide the resolution of these matters.

“Our hope is that this process brings clarity, honors the court’s orders, and ensures the responsible stewardship of Chadwick’s legacy.

“We love our brother, and we remain committed to preserving his legacy with dignity, integrity, and respect.”